Cheslin Kolbe will miss the Springboks' Nations Championship campaign but is on track to make his comeback for the Stormers in the URC coastal derby against the Sharks at Kings Park on 5 December, according to coach John Dobson.
Kolbe has been sidelined since suffering a broken jaw in the third Rugby's Greatest Rivalry match in Soweto on 5 September. His recovery has taken longer than the initial two-month prognosis after the injury was confirmed as a double fracture. Agent Matt Norton explains that the proximity of the upper fracture to facial nerves required the bone to fuse naturally before return-to-play protocols could begin.
Dobson confirmed Kolbe will not be available for the tour opener against Italy on 7 November and stopped short of guaranteeing availability for any later tour matches, though he left open the possibility of an injury call-up. The December timing of the Durban derby suits the Stormers' situation regardless: with the Nations Championship final scheduled in London just six days before the Sharks clash, Dobson is planning for that match without the bulk of his Springbok contingent.
"The Nations Championship finals day in London is six days before we play against the Sharks so I don't think that is enough time and we will be working on playing that game without the Boks," said Dobson.
Kolbe is already integrated back into the Stormers' match-preparation environment, attending team meetings ahead of his return to the field. Dobson named a heavily rotated squad for Saturday's URC fixture, with the 31 October clash against Ulster earmarked as another opportunity to build depth before the Sharks game.