Stormers target readymade replacement for Durban-bound Bok

NEWS: The revelation that World Cup-winning Springbok hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi is set to join the Roc Nation stable will no doubt cause a stir.

In fact, it is likely to result in a complaint from Stormers management to the Sharks.

Sunday newspaper Rapport revealed that the 30-year-old Mbonambi is set to join the growing Roc Nation rugby stable - which already includes fellow World Cup winners Cheslin Kolbe and Siyamthanda Kolisi, as well as England lock Maro Itoje.

This will increase the likelihood of Mbonambi joining his Bok captain, Kolisi, in Durban - which is likely to result in a formal complaint from the Stormers management.

The reason for Mbonambi's move to the Sharks is that the sports agency, Roc Nation, has a partner in MVM Holdings - who have a majority share in the Sharks.

That MVM partner is Roc Nation President Michael Yormark, who lured Kolisi to Durban.

However, despite the possibility of a complaint, the Stormers are keen to move on quickly and are have a readymade replacement in their sights.

@rugby365com can reveal that France-based Joseph Dweba is high on the Stormers' wish list.

The 25-year-old former Cheetahs hooker, who made the 2019-20 Pro14 Dream Team, was on the bench for Bordeaux Bègles in their European Cup Last 16 encounter with Bristol Bears.

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Born in Carletonville and schooled at Hoërskool Florida, in Roodepoort, he represented the Golden Lions at age-group level before he made the move to Bloemfontein in 2014.

He was called up into the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2014 Junior World Championship held in New Zealand.

He initially struggled to get regular game time in the Cheetahs senior set up, but became a regular by 2019.

In 2020 he joined Bordeaux, in the Top 14 competition for the 2020-21 season.

He is regarded as having a bright future with Springbok prospects and with his high work ethic and strong ball-carrying ability will be the ideal replacement for Mbonambi.

However, Dweba, who scored a crucial try in Bordeaux-Begles'36-17 win over Bristol Bears, is a long shot in the Stormers'search as a replacement.

@king365ed

@rugby365com