Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman will miss the Springboks’ Nations Championship matches in November because of injury, according to The South African.
Coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to name his squad for the rest of the tournament in the coming days. The Springboks return to action in about two weeks.
South Africa play Italy at Juventus Stadium in Turin on 7 November. The match starts at 12:40.
They then face France at the Stade de France in Paris on 13 November at 21:10. The tour ends against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 21 November at 16:40.
Kolbe broke his jaw during the 29-24 win over New Zealand in September. The utility back hit Luke Jacobson’s knee early in the third Test and had to leave the field.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson confirmed that Kolbe will only return to play in December. That rules him out of all three Nations Championship dates.
Smith, who has just signed with the Bulls, tore his ACL and meniscus in May. He is said to be recovering well.
However, the loose forward is only expected back in late December. That is too late for the November Tests.
Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier hurt his ankle in the Champions Cup win over Stade Francais on 17 October. The club website confirmed that he would need surgery.
Lock RG Snyman is unlikely to play again this season. The Leinster forward ruptured his ACL in a URC match against Glasgow Warriors in March.
It is the third knee injury of his career, BBC Sport reported. The injury rules him out for the rest of the season.
There are also doubts over Andre Esterhuizen. He captained the Springboks against Australia in September.
The Sharks captain limped off a few minutes into the win against Cardiff Rugby in Wales on 23 October.
Jurenzo Julius did not play the second half of the same match. This has raised fears that he was also injured.
Stormers hooker Deon Fourie hurt his hamstring in the win over the Scarlets at the weekend. His club has not given an update, but some sources say he could miss a few weeks.
There was better news about lock Eben Etzebeth. He is expected to rejoin the Sharks in the coming weeks.
Etzebeth has been out with a lower leg injury. He picked it up during the Sharks’ loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.
The Rugby World Cup takes place next year. The South African reported that Erasmus is likely to treat the first Nations Championship as a tournament he must win.
The Springboks’ first match of the November tour is against Italy in Turin on 7 November.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.