Springboks suffer major blow with Frans Malherbe and Willemse injuries

The Springboks have been dealt another significant injury blow ahead of their end-of-year tour, with veteran tighthead prop Frans Malherbe missing from the squad’s training camp in Jersey.

This setback follows the recent injury to Damian Willemse, further impacting South Africa's preparations for the upcoming tests against Scotland, England, and Wales.

Malherbe, a key player in South Africa's World Cup-winning squad, was injured during the Stormers' 28-17 defeat to Glasgow Warriors.

His absence from the training camp leaves a significant gap in the Springboks' front row, placing extra pressure on the remaining forwards to step up.

Alongside Malherbe, Ben-Jason Dixon and Damian Willemse were also injured during the same match. Willemse, who sustained a groin injury while scoring a try, has been ruled out for three to four months, pushing his return to February.

This comes as a tough blow for Willemse, who had just returned from finger surgery that kept him sidelined during the mid-year and Rugby Championship Tests.

The Bulls' rising star Cameron Hanekom has been called up as Willemse's replacement. Meanwhile, Dixon, who was not included in the tour selection, faces a knee injury and is currently undergoing scans to determine the severity.

As the Springboks prepare for their challenging tour, these injuries pose a significant challenge for head coach Jacques Nienaber in maintaining squad depth and cohesion.