The Springboks’ resounding win over the All Blacks this past weekend did come at some cost after it was confirmed that lock Lood de Jager and Aphelele Fassi suffered what are suspected to be serious injuries. It’s likely that they will not be available for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.
As a reminder, the Springboks will next face Argentina on 27 September in their fifth Rugby Championship match before a ‘rematch’ at Twickenham in London.
Rassie Erasmus is soon expected to name a revised squad for these final two rounds of the tournament, and here is an injury update on several players who have been missing from action.
Kurt-Lee Arendse
The fleet-footed wing picked up a hamstring injury in the Ellis Park loss to the Wallabies, and it’s since been revealed that Arendse is also battling with a knee issue. It now seems that the 29-year-old will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship, but he should at least be back for the end-of-year tour in November.
Bongi Mbonambi
The abrasive hooker missed the tour to New Zealand due to an illness in the family, and the Springbok management will undoubtedly need to check in on this personal matter before determining whether Mbonambi is ready to return to the team.
Lukhanyo Am
The double World Cup winner has battled with injury issues this season, but he was recently able to make a comeback for the Sharks. With Jesse Kriel and Canan Moodie now top of the pecking order, though, it’s probably unlikely that Am will be brought back just yet.
Frans Malherbe
The powerful prop has been sidelined due to a recurring lower back injury, and medical updates have suggested that doctors are pursuing a non-surgical approach to allow his back to heal naturally, as opposed to an operation. A return in early 2026 sadly seems to be the most optimistic outcome.
Morne van den Berg
The up-and-coming scrumhalf has battled with injury niggles during the Rugby Championship, which eventually led to a call-up for veteran Faf de Klerk to provide extra cover. It’s hoped that he could be considered for selection during one of the upcoming games against Argentina, but Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach have been doing a good job at No 9.
