The story of Frans Malherbe is not yet written, confirms Bok boss

The double World Cup-winning tighthead prop has not played any rugby for over a year now after sustaining back and neck injuries. In January this year, he suffered another setback with a hip injury, thwarting his recovery.

Malherbe missed the entirety of the Stormers' 2025/26 season and last played in March 2025, which has raised questions about whether the 35-year-old prop will, in fact, return.

Erasmus explained in March that he had convinced the front-rower not to make a retirement call yet, despite his struggles with recovering from the back injury.

"I had a meeting with him last year, and Franna was close to retiring," the Springbok boss said.

"Not because he thought he wouldn't be able to play again, but because he was struggling with his back - just to do normal things with his family, things that he loves. It was frustrating for him. Some of us gave him advice and said that if you retire, you can't just say in three years that you are going to come back now.

"It's better not to retire with the thought that you'll come back in a few years. That was the advice from his other friends and us."

Malherbe's contract with the Stormers has since run out, and Erasmus was asked about his future last week.

"What I know is it was a back injury, and as far as I understand, when I talk to him, he's trying his best to return," the Bok head coach told reporters.

"For me, it sounds like January is a good date for him to try and come back. I might get proven wrong, or a doctor might phone me later and say you're totally wrong. But as far as I understand, Frans is going to try and play in January, and I hope that works out."

If the Bok tighthead is to make his return from injury, he would likely still pick up a contract in Cape Town with the Stormers, possibly with the help of SA Rugby.

While out of contract, Malherbe is still training with the Stormers but hasn’t done any heavy contact or scrumming.

"If he continues to play and wants to stay with the Stormers, we will of course accommodate him in the interest of him and the national team," said Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson in March.

Malherbe was a mainstay in the Springbok side that won back-to-back Rugby World Cups and has racked up 76 Test appearances since his debut way back in 2013.

So often, he was the go-to starter for Erasmus and former head coach Jacques Nienaber, donning the number three jersey 63 times throughout his career – Tendai Mtawarira (102) and Os du Randt (75) are the only two props who have started more matches for the Boks than Malherbe.

Malherbe's absence in the Springbok set-up has led to the emergence of Thomas du Toit and Wilco Louw as the team's frontline tighthead props, with Vincent Koch recently falling out of favour.

Erasmus is also without the services of Trevor Nyakane, another double World Cup winner, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon while playing for the Sharks.

Neethling Fouche, Zachary Porthen and Carlu Sadie have also earned Test debuts whilst Malherbe has been sidelined.