Frans Malherbe reports encouraging progress in his recovery from chronic neck and back injuries, having resumed non-contact team training with the Stormers after an absence stretching back to their URC match against the Scarlets in March 2025.
Speaking on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict show, the 35-year-old tighthead said the rehabilitation has been going well and that he is targeting a return to scrumming. "There has been good improvement. I have started training with the team, team training without contact and stuff like that," Malherbe said. "I will hopefully soon get stuck into a scrum."
No decision on his future has been made, with Stormers director of rugby John Dobson indicating last month that clarity is unlikely before the new year. Dobson confirmed the club has already recruited a replacement tighthead, given Malherbe's exclusion from their URC squad for the 2026/27 season. Rassie Erasmus had previously persuaded Malherbe to hold off on retirement and continue pursuing a comeback.
Malherbe's appearance on the show followed his selection as the best tighthead in the Springboks Dream XV poll, recognition that spans a Test career of 76 caps under four head coaches and two World Cup titles.