Rassie Erasmus believes Frans Malherbe is targeting a January comeback from the back, neck and hip injuries that have kept him off the field since March 2025. Speaking to reporters last week, Erasmus said: "What I know is it was a back injury, and as far as I understand, when I talk to him, he's trying his best to return. For me it sounds like January is a good date for him to try and come back."
Malherbe's Stormers contract has since expired, but he continues to train at the club without participating in contact work or scrumming. John Dobson confirmed as much to SARugbymag, and indicated in March that a new deal would be arranged if Malherbe resumes playing — with SA Rugby potentially assisting. "If he continues to play and wants to stay with the Stormers, we will of course accommodate him in the interest of him and the national team," Dobson said.
Erasmus revealed he had stepped in earlier to dissuade the 35-year-old from retiring, citing the irreversibility of that decision. "Franna was close to retiring — not because he thought he wouldn't be able to play again, but because he was struggling with his back just to do normal things with his family," Erasmus said. "The advice from his friends and us was: don't retire with the thought that you'll come back in a few years."
Malherbe's 76-Test career, which includes 63 starts at tighthead, places him behind only Tendai Mtawarira (102) and Os du Randt (75) among South African props by starts. His extended absence has accelerated the rise of Thomas du Toit and Wilco Louw as the frontline tighthead options, while Zachary Porthen, Carlu Sadie, Neethling Fouche and Asenathi Ntlabakanye have all earned debuts in the interim — though Ntlabakanye is currently serving an 18-month doping ban. Vincent Koch has fallen out of the selection picture, and Trevor Nyakane remains sidelined with a ruptured Achilles.
French club La Rochelle had also identified Malherbe as a potential successor to Uini Atonio, who was forced into retirement following a heart attack in January.