- Springbok prop Frans Malherbe revealed he has returned to team training with the Stormers as he recovers from chronic neck and back problems
- Malherbe, who is out of contract, acknowledged he would have loved to experience playing for another club before retiring
- Rassie Erasmus suggested the 76-Test veteran could return to competitive rugby as early as next year
Stormers and Springbok tighthead prop Frans Malherbe has offered the clearest picture yet of where his recovery stands, while leaving the door open to a potential move away from the only professional club he has ever represented.
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The 35-year-old appeared on the latest instalment of Boks Unpacked X The Verdict, where Schalk Burger asked him directly about his condition. Malherbe, who has been sidelined by chronic neck and back issues, confirmed he had rejoined team training, though without contact work.
"I'm actually good, Schalla. In the bigger picture, there's good improvement. I've started training with the team, team training without contact, stuff like that," he said.
"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."
Malherbe's one-club legacy
The Paarl Boys' High graduate made his senior Western Province and Stormers debuts in 2011 and has gone on to make more than 150 appearances for the Cape side, making him their second-most capped player. He was also a key figure in the Stormers' 2021-22 URC title triumph. Reflecting on his status as a rare one-club man, Malherbe credited the financial support he received from both the Stormers and SA Rugby at every contract renewal.
"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," he said.
A career move still possible
Despite that loyalty, Malherbe conceded there was a part of him that was curious about life at another club. He recalled a conversation with a fellow Springbok who never had the chance to play for his boyhood side.
"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," Malherbe said.
"It's like, you don't understand what a big privilege it is to play for the club and the province you support."
Stormers head coach John Dobson confirmed the club would give Malherbe game time upon his return, despite his contract having expired. Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus has indicated a return to competitive action could come as early as the first months of 2027.
Source: Briefly News
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