Rugby World Cup 2027: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus recently shared that he once had to persuade veteran prop Frans Malherbe not to retire from rugby. Even as the experienced forward struggled with a series of injuries.
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At the same time, Springboks scrum coach Daan Human has confirmed that another injured World Cup winner. Trevor Nyakane also remains in the team’s long-term plans. Malherbe, now 34, is widely considered one of the finest tighthead props to ever represent the South Africa national rugby union team.
Over the course of his international career, he has earned 76 caps and played a key role in some of the team’s greatest achievements. These include South Africa’s victories at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
As well as their series win against the British & Irish Lions in 2021. Despite his impressive career, injuries have kept Malherbe off the field for a long time. He missed the entire 2025 international season and also sat out the November Tests in 2024.
His most recent match was for the Stormers in May 2025. Since then, he has been battling persistent back and neck problems. Stormers head coach John Dobson previously revealed that Malherbe’s recovery process has not been straightforward.
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Rugby World Cup: Malherbe Hit by Another Injury Setback
During rehabilitation, the prop suffered another setback when he picked up a hip injury, further delaying his return to action. Even though Malherbe has not played competitive rugby for nearly a year, Erasmus still invited him to attend the Springboks’ first alignment camp in Cape Town.
This invitation was seen as a strong sign that the coaching staff still views him as an important part of their plans heading toward the Rugby World Cup 2027. Speaking to journalists in Cape Town, Erasmus explained that he had an honest conversation with Malherbe last year when the prop was considering retirement.
According to Erasmus, the discussion focused on Malherbe’s frustration with his physical struggles rather than any doubt about his ability to play again. Erasmus said Malherbe was finding it difficult to deal with the effects of his back injury in everyday life.
Even when doing simple activities with his family. The situation was mentally challenging for him, and retirement seemed like a possible option. However, Erasmus and others close to the player encouraged him to think carefully before making a final decision.
Their advice was simple: if Malherbe still hoped to return to rugby in the future, officially retiring could make that path more complicated. Erasmus pointed out that once a player retires, it is not easy to reverse that decision and return to international rugby years later.
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Rugby World Cup Final: Young Props Seize Their Opportunity
While there are rare examples, such as Os du Randt. Who came out of retirement to help South Africa win the 2007 Rugby World Cup? The professional game has changed significantly since then. In Malherbe’s absence, other players have stepped up in the Springboks’ front row.
Thomas du Toit and Wilco Louw have become key figures in the squad. Du Toit’s performances in 2025 were particularly impressive, earning him a place in the World Rugby Dream Team of the Year. Several new players have also been given opportunities.
Former Junior Springbok Zachary Porthen made his Test debut against Japan during the end-of-year tour. Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Neethling Fouche earned their first international caps earlier in the season.
Even so, Erasmus believes people sometimes forget just how important Malherbe was to the team not long ago. He reminded fans that only a couple of years ago, Malherbe was still one of the most reliable players in the Springboks pack.
Meanwhile, Nyakane has also been dealing with a long injury absence. The 36-year-old prop missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from an ACL injury. Known for his ability to play on both sides of the scrum, Nyakane has long been valued for his versatility. Scrum coach Human explained that while Nyakane’s ability to switch positions is useful.
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