Springbok injury list: Every sidelined player, by position

The Springboks head into a packed 2026 Test schedule with a lengthy injury list. Below is a position-by-position summary of players who are currently sidelined and the recovery timelines reported on 25 May 2026.

Front row

Props

Frans Malherbe: Dealing with back and neck issues; targeting a return later this year.

Trevor Nyakane: In the midst of a lengthy injury spell; a timeline for his return was not confirmed.

Hooker

Bongi Mbonambi: Sidelined with an injury that cut short his domestic campaign; expected to miss the upcoming initial Test window.

Second row

RG Snyman: Ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament and is ruled out for the entire 2026 season.

Lood de Jager: Recovering from hip surgery; an expected return was reported for August.

Eben Etzebeth: Managing a hip injury; expected to be back by July.

Salmaan Moerat: Rehabilitating after toe surgery and is nearing a return.

Loose forwards

Ruan Venter: Suffered a severe knee injury requiring surgery and is ruled out for the 2026 Test season, with an estimated six to nine months out.

Pieter-Steph du Toit: Recovering from shoulder surgery; expected back by late May or early June.

Siya Kolisi: Managing a calf strain; expected return in early June.

Halfbacks

Morné van den Berg: Underwent surgery for a torn bicep and is ruled out for four to six months.

Cobus Reinach: Suffered a recent knee injury; a return was expected by July.

Jaden Hendrikse: Undergoing concussion protocols following repeated head knocks and has been stood down indefinitely.

Grant Williams: Sidelined with an ongoing injury; no return date was confirmed.

Outside backs

Ethan Hooker: Recovering from surgery on a dislocated shoulder; sidelined until late July or August 2026.

Aphelele Fassi: Recovering from shoulder surgery; expected back by mid-to-late June 2026.

Season context and fixtures

The Springboks kick off their 2026 season against the Barbarians towards the end of June before a busy Test programme. South Africa’s listed fixtures and kick-off times (South African time) include:

• Saturday 20 June: Springboks v Barbarians Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha Kick-off 15:00
• Saturday 4 July: Boks v England Ellis Park, Johannesburg Kick-off 17:40
• Saturday 11 July: Boks v Scotland Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Kick-off 17:40
• Saturday 18 July: Boks v Wales Kings Park, Durban Kick-off 17:40
• Saturday 22 August: Boks v All Blacks Ellis Park, Johannesburg Kick-off 17:00
• Saturday 29 August: Boks v All Blacks Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Kick-off 17:00
• Saturday 5 September: Boks v All Blacks FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Kick-off 17:00
• Saturday 12 September: Boks v All Blacks M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA Kick-off 18:00 (expected)
• Sunday 27 September: Wallabies v Boks Optus Stadium, Perth Kick-off 11:30
• Saturday 7 November: Italy v Boks Venue TBC Kick-off 16:00
• Friday 13 November: France v Boks Stade de France, Paris Kick-off 22:00
• Saturday 21 November: Ireland v Boks Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off 19:30
• 27–29 November: Finals Weekend Twickenham Stadium, London Kick-off TBC

Outlook

Coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to make use of an extended squad for the new-look schedule, while managing player availability amid the reported injuries.

This report summarises the injury statuses and timelines as provided in the published injury list on 25 May 2026.