Experienced hooker Bongi Mbonambi was full of praise for Lyon Olympique Universitaire ahead of Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Round of 16 tie in the EPCR Challenge Cup, in an exclusive interview for EPCR.
After finishing fifth in their Investec Champions Cup pool stage and given a new lease of life in the EPCR Challenge Cup, the South African side now gets the chance to defend the title they won last year.
But a trip to a LOU side who have won five of their last seven in all competitions, as well as three of four EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage games, won’t be easy for the Sharks.
All too wary of the challenges that the French side are sure to pose the visitors on Sunday, Sharks’ hooker Bongi Mbonambi was quick to praise LOU’s all-round game.
“From all the games we’ve seen, they’re doing very well," said the back-to-back Rugby World Cup winner.
"They’ve got explosive loose forwards. They pride themselves in mauling and scrumming, they’ve got explosive backs, good centres, their wingers run the whole time, so it’s going to be a tough game.”
Coming into the Round of 16 off the back of a tight loss at home to Leinster Rugby in the United Rugby Championship, Springbok Mbonambi realises that his Sharks will have to find extra bite if they are to overcome the test that a renowned LOU pack brings.
“We’re definitely going to have to step it up and take our opportunities," he added.
"We know that it’s never easy playing in France because they bring it when it comes to the forwards’ play and their forward pack is quite strong.”
And packed with world-class experience and talent, LOU will have to overcome the likes of Siya Kolisi, the Hendrikse brothers and Mbonambi himself.
One blessing in disguise of exiting the Investec Champions Cup at the pool stages for the Sharks is that they now have the chance to defend their EPCR Challenge Cup title from last year.
Overcoming Gloucester Rugby 36-22 in a memorable final, the hooker is eyeing up a second in as many years.
“For me, the Challenge Cup means a lot. We put all our energies and focus into winning it last year. We definitely want to defend our title, but we know it’s not going to be easy”, Mbonambi said.
And as if they needed any more motivation, the Principality Stadium is lined up for the final – a stage that Mbonambi is all too familiar with from his time with the Springboks and an experience that is motivating the whole squad:
“It’s an amazing stadium. It gives the game an amazing feel. For the youngsters who haven’t played there, it’s something worth experiencing.”
Just as was clear for all to see at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for last year's final, Mbonambi was quick to pay tribute to the Sharks fans who have helped the side get as far as they have. An integral part of life in South Africa, the hooker explained how much it would mean for them to be back in another final:
“Rugby’s part of the culture. It’s one of our major sports. Whenever it’s played, wherever it’s played, fans come through, and you can really see the passion of the fans."