Springboks Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch set for Sharks return

Springbok front rowers Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch are set to make their return to the playing field in the very near future.

Mbonambi has had rotten luck in his two World Cup finals. In 2019, he left the field concussed against England and then just 2 minutes into the 2023 RWC final, he suffered a serious knee injury after a dangerous knee injury. Undoubtedly, those two winner's medals eclipse the pain.

The Sharks have been without his services since that faithful day in Paris and the initial prognosis was that the hooker would miss the entirety of the season. Fortunately, he has healed well.

Koch, however, was expected to return sooner but is now shaping up to lace up his boots at the same time as his Bok teammate, which will be a massive boost for the ailing Sharks.

Speaking to Rugby365, Sharks' Director of Rugby Neil Powell gave a positive update on the Durban franchises' lengthy injury list.

"We are lucky that we have quite a few players coming back from injury over the next two to four weeks," revealed Powell.

"Vincent Koch is one, Bongi Mbonambi, Dylan Richardson and Vincent Tshituka. Reniel Hugo is also coming back from injury, so all the injuries we had since the start of the season.

"We will probably be really strong when we come back and we prepare for that Stormers week. We should have the majority of our squad back, especially the likes of a Bongi, Vincent Tshituka and Vincent Koch.

"We are keen to see how they are going into the final phase of their rehab and how they are getting back into the team in the next few weeks."

The Stormers fixture Powell refers to is set for 17 February, after the Sharks' well-earned four-week break.

Next, the Sharks travel to Newport in Wales to face the Dragons in the Challenge Cup this Sunday.

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