Some good injury news for Springboks… finally!
Two World Cup-winning stars are expected to recover from injury in time to start the Springboks' 2026 season.
Black News 
The Springboks’ 2026 Test season kicks off in just over a month, and many supporters are probably starting to lose count of all the players on an ever-increasing injury list.
The likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Kwagga Smith are the latest players who have been ruled out for a lengthy period of time, but there are some stars who are nearing a full recovery.
In some much-needed good news, it’s now been reported in Sunday newspaper Rapport that both Pieter-Steph du Toit and Lood de Jager are set to recover from injury in time to be considered for the first Test of the year against England on 4 July.
Big boost for Springboks
De Jager has been recovering from hip surgery, and he was not expected to return until after the July internationals, but it will come as a real morale boost to hear that he has recovered sooner than expected.
It was also touch and go as to whether Du Toit would be ready for the first Test of the year, and so it’s another big boost that the versatile forward is also nearing the end of his rehabilitation.
Latest update on injuries
Props
- Frans Malherbe: Dealing with back and neck issues; targeting a return later this year.
- Trevor Nyakane: Lengthy injury spell; timeline remains unconfirmed.
Hookers
- Bongi Mbonambi: Sidelined with an injury that cut short his domestic campaign; expected to miss the upcoming initial Test window.
Locks
- RG Snyman: Ruptured ACL; ruled out for the entire 2026 season.
- Lood de Jager: Recovering from hip surgery; expected return by June.
- Eben Etzebeth: Managing a hip injury; expected back by July.
- Salmaan Moerat: Rehabilitating after toe surgery; nearing a return.
Loose Forwards
- Ruan Venter: Suffered a severe knee injury requiring surgery; ruled out for the 2026 Test season (estimated six to nine months).
- Pieter-Steph du Toit: Recovering from shoulder surgery; expected back by late May.
- Kwagga Smith: Set to be out for six months due to a knee injury
Scrumhalves
- Morné van den Berg: Underwent surgery for a torn bicep; ruled out for four to six months.
- Cobus Reinach: Suffered a recent knee injury; return expected by July.
- Jaden Hendrikse: Undergoing concussion protocols following repeated head knocks; stood down indefinitely.
- Grant Williams: Sidelined with an ongoing injury; return date remains unconfirmed.
Outside backs
- Ethan Hooker: Recovering from dislocated shoulder surgery; sidelined until late July or August 2026.
- Aphelele Fassi: Recovering from shoulder surgery; expected back by mid-to-late June 2026.
