After their amazing Rugby World Cup semi-final victory against England, Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi broke down in tears in the locker room and received a big hug from Rassie Erasmus, setting the tone for an emotional finale for the fourth episode of the Chasing the Sun 2 series.
After the epic struggle against the English, Mbonambi, who was referred to as the “top dog” and one of the team’s physical enforcers in the previous Chasing the Sun series, broke down in the changing room.
It is unheard of for a hooker in the modern game to perform the inconceivable and play the entire 80 minutes of that match.
In the previous high-octane quarter-final against France he also played for 75 minutes.
Mbonambi had to play against England and assume captaincy after replacement hooker Deon Fourie replaced captain Siya Kolisi at the wing.
In the last quarter of the game, the Springboks’ hooker was involved in three crucial occasions that shifted the momentum in South Africa’s favor.
The first occurred during a scrum in the Springboks’ 22 when he, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, and the other forwards secured a vital penalty just as the game and the World Cup appeared to be about to end.
Just over ten minutes remained, and the Springboks were awarded another scrum penalty. Mbonambi then kicked the ball to Handre Pollard, who touched it. Coolly, the hooker found his jumper, but the Boks ran a different play, RG Snyman charging over the line, and Pollard converted, instead of mauling the opposition.
With Mbonambi leading from the front, the Springboks believed they had a chance to win after that.
Mbonambi had to pack down once more for what would ultimately be the game-winning scrum, presumably exhausted from emotion and exhaustion. Additionally, the Bok pack applied enough pressure to allow Pollard to win the match, with Nche and an injured Koch on each side of the captain.
The cameras capture Mbonambi falling to his knees and raising his hands in triumph at the final whistle following another one-point victory.
But, as the stadium and South Africa as a whole went berserk, Mbonambi retreated into the quiet bowls of the Stade de France where he was greeted by Erasmus’ words:
“Well done man! You turned the whole game. This is what a captain does. You don’t give up! you deserve respect!”
Just before the end of the episode, Erasmus gives us some insight into Mbonambi the man, the leader, and how much the Springbok jersey means to him.
“I haven’t seen him like that, that emotional. It’s the pressure. If you haven’t been Springbok captain, and now your doing it on the World Cup stage,” Erasmus said.
That, in my opinion, is how much effort he put into trying to assist us. to demonstrate to us his ability and the wisdom of our decision. “I appreciate you supporting me in this way.”
Could Mbonambi become the Springboks’ permanent captain now that Kolisi, a Frenchman, is in the limelight and Erasmus wants his captain to play rugby in South Africa?
The 33-year-old Sharks hooker, who will turn 36 at the next Rugby World Cup in Australia, does not, however, consider age to be an advantage.
Mbonambi, though, has earned the respect of Erasmus and the players and has proven he has the fortitude to lead the Springboks permanently.
“To prove to us that we made the right choice.”
It seems like Rassie Erasmus is already preparing us for this eventuality.
