Malherbe adds to Bok scrum woes

 

Malherbe sustained a serious injury on his right ankle when he got trapped at the bottom of the ruck with his foot getting twisted awkwardly.

 

The Stormers prop will require surgery on the ankle and could be ruled out until the end of November – which would mean he would play no further part in this year's season.

 

Malherbe has returned to South Africa, along with the rest of the team, and will have his surgery in Cape Town this week.

 

The Springboks now have the unenviable task of recruiting a new prop to the squad to aid a front row that was outclassed against the Argentineans.

 

Coenie Oosthuizen does not look like he will be able to provide the answer as he has not trained since Super Rugby, struggling with a foot ligament injury.

 

There are other inexperienced tightheads in Lourens Adriaanse and Marcel van der Merwe (who earned his debut against Scotland earlier this year) waiting in the wings that look the likely candidates to replace Malherbe.