SPRINGBOKS
John Goliath|Published
Double World Cup winner Frans Malherbe could make a long-awaited return to action early next year as he continues his recovery from a long-standing neck and back injury.
The 35-year-old tighthead prop, arguably one of the greatest scrummagers in rugby history, has been sidelined for over 18 months.
Malherbe last featured competitively in early 2025 before persistent spinal and nerve issues threatened to end his stellar career.
Despite the Springboks boasting formidable depth at No 3, with Wilco Louw, Thomas du Toit, and rising star Zach Porthen in the mix, a fully fit Malherbe remains a cornerstone as South Africa target an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title in 2027.
Speaking during the latest Boks Unpacked X The Verdict instalment, the 76-Test veteran provided a promising update on his rehabilitation.
While currently out of contract, Malherbe has been working with his former team, the Stormers, in Cape Town.
“I’m actually good, Schalla,” Malherbe told former Springbok teammate Schalk Burger.
“In the bigger picture, there’s good improvement. I’ve started training with the team, team training without contact, stuff like that.
“It’s obviously very nice to do rugby training, rugby-related stuff, rather than running back and forth to cones, which is not my favourite part.
“But it’s actually been going well and I think there’s some good improvement. Hopefully, soon I’ll be getting stuck into a scrum.”
A graduate of Paarl Boys’ High, Malherbe made his senior Western Province and Stormers debuts in 2011 before establishing himself as the Stormers’ second-most capped player with over 150 appearances. A central figure in the Capetonians’ 2021/22 URC title-winning campaign, Malherbe reflected on his rare status as a one-club man.
“I get a lot of recognition for loyalty, which is awesome, but credit has to be given to whenever I was out of contract or in the window to negotiate my next deal, SA Rugby with the help of the Stormers, or the Stormers with the help of SA Rugby, they took good care of me.
“I am not going to single out places now, but I would have loved to experience something elsewhere. But then again, I remember way back, a fellow player I played with at the Boks mentioned that he was a massive Bulls fan and never got to play for the Bulls.
“It’s like, you don’t understand what a big privilege it is to play for the club and the province you support. Not a lot of people have that option.”
When former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers broached the idea of Malherbe enjoying a stint abroad before hanging up his boots, the tighthead smiled: “Ja, let’s hope so.”
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson emphasised that Malherbe has not made a decision on where he will eventually play his rugby once he is cleared to get back on the field. But he could well feature for the club if he needs game time to get ready for a possible shot at his fourth Rugby World Cup.
The Stormers scooped up Louw in the off-season to bolster their tighthead stocks following Malherbe’s injury, while also boasting Porthen, Neethling Fouché, and the underrated Sazi Sandi competing for game time.
“I don’t think he has made a decision,” Dobson told reporters earlier this season. “My guess, and this may be just a John Dobson guess, is that it’s going to drag into the new year.
“He’s training a lot here, but he’s certainly not going to play for us in the foreseeable future, so we needed to get somebody in to replace him, and there’s still a big question mark on him.”
Dobson echoed the sentiment that early next year will prove decisive for Malherbe's international ambitions.
“What I hear is that there could be a decision made in January,” Dobson added. “That will determine whether he can make the 2027 World Cup, and then maybe there’s a request that he plays a game or two, which we will accommodate.
“There’s no firm decision yet, but he’s certainly not playing for us in the foreseeable future.”