Malherbe's 'comeback' clarified as Rassie hints at more reinforcements

INTERVIEW: Rassie Erasmus clarified his comments on when two-time World Cup winner Frans Malherbe could return to the field of play.

Erasmus hinted at the team announcement press conference on Monday that tighthead prop Malherbe might return to the field of play in January 2027 when asked by the French press if Les Bleus’ injury count impacts whether the Boks head into the clash as favourites.

*Also read: How Japan-based players influenced Rassie’s selection for France

“I can mention which players we currently don’t have in camp, and I’m not saying that we’re under strength by any means.

“I know France have injuries, but we don’t have a guy like Frans Malherbe here, and he’s going to play in January, and he’ll be considered for the [2027] World Cup.

“We also have RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Andre Esterhuizen, Handre Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe all sidelined, so who is under strength?

“We’re at a different time of the rugby calendar, and different injuries happen. We’re at the back end of our season where we’ve got a maximum of three games left.

“France played in the Six Nations and played in the mid-year Nations Championship games.

“That period for France is the window where they’re quite match fit, energetic and not punch drunk.

“We feel that at the end of our season that we have to graft hard alongside New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Argentina.

“France are building up in these matches, and then they have the Six Nations in two months.”

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#OPINION: @rugby365com columnist @jon_cardinelli dissects Rassie Erasmus’ selections for the Test against France on Friday. 👇#NationsChampionship #France #SouthAfrica #Springboks #FRAvRSA https://t.co/DxRHCsPKAH

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) November 9, 2026

When asked by Rugby365 about Malherbe’s potential return, Erasmus clarified his comments and hinted that more reinforcements could be called up following Eben Etzebeth joining the squad on Monday morning.

“I’m saying that with the hope that he’ll be available, because he had some setbacks, but he’s trying really hard to get back to playing,” Erasmus told Rugby365 from the Springboks’ hotel in Paris on Monday.

“He’s training hard [with the Stormers] and got into some contact training as well.

“I hope Dobbo [John Dobson] and the guys don’t get upset that I’m talking out about him, but Dobbo is probably the better man to talk to.

“And of course our medical team is in touch with him [Malherbe] on a regular basis.

“I mean, a body like that who rests for two years and if he comes right, he’ll be a weapon, he’ll be effective.

“But you never know with back and neck injuries, I mean, look at Salmaan [Moerat] now; he had neck surgery, and now he suffers from back surgery, but it looks like he’s getting over it and hopefully he’ll be ready for next week [against Ireland].

“But we want the best for Frans, and that’s for him to be healthy, and if he is healthy, we want him for us.

“Hopefully that happens, not that I can guarantee that, but that’s the chances and discussions at this time.”

The Bok boss added that more players could join the team in the coming weeks.

“The nice thing for next week for Ireland is that we didn’t suffer any injuries in the match against Italy.

“It’s been months and probably years since we didn’t have injuries in the actual game; I’m not counting Salmaan [Moerat] because he got injured before the game, but we didn’t have injuries in the match, so that was nice.

“So next weekend Handre [Pollard] will probably be available to fly over. Eben will definitely be available for selection.

“He flew in overnight, and we spoke on the plane over the WiFi for some time; we won’t risk playing him [this weekend].

“Salmaan should be ready too, so if we don’t get any injuries this weekend, we’ll probably have a 37-man squad that’s fit and healthy.

“If we do get an injury in the backline, a guy like Handre might join us as well.”