Three injured Springboks who will miss November Tests
Some players may miss the tour because of injuries, but the Springboks will still play five important Test matches in November. The Rugby Championship ended with a victory over Argentina and another trophy celebration, and the Springboks were lucky to escape any particularly serious injuries.
Kurt-Lee Arendse did sustain a troubling leg injury during the competition, but it is thought that he will recover in time to be selected for the year-end tour. Some players, though, have already been disqualified.
UNAVAILABLE SPRINGBOKS
Jean-Luc du Preez
After suffering a terrible season due to untimely injuries, the gifted loose forward has now had knee surgery, which is likely to keep him out of play until the following season. In addition to missing the second Test match against the Wallabies in Cape Town on the morning of the match due to illness, the 30-year-old was scheduled to start in the highly anticipated Rugby Championship Test match against the All Blacks at Eden Park after suffering an injury during practice.
His wait will now continue until at least the next season, even though it would have been his first Test start in seven years.
Frans Malherbe
A recurrent lower back injury has kept the powerful prop out of commission, raising concerns that it might even endanger his career. According to medical updates, doctors are considering a non-surgical course of treatment to let his back heal naturally, but he won’t be rushed back, and the most promising outcome, regrettably, appears to be a return in early 2026.
Aphelele Fassi
Following surgery for an ankle injury, the talented fullback was initially expected to be sidelined for a considerable amount of time. Fortunately, there have been indications that indicate he is recuperating swiftly and may be ready to be called up in the event of an accident during the final stretch of the year-end trip.
Currently, though, it seems doubtful that he will be ready for selection when Rassie Erasmus announces his touring team in the coming weeks.
