Another Springbok ruled out as injury woes continue

· The South African

From Aphelele Fassi to RG Snyman to Bongi Mbonambi, the Springboks are set to start the 2026 season without several leading players who are unavailable due to injury.

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According to multiple reports, Kwagga Smith has now suffered a serious knee injury while playing for the Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan earlier this month.

The double World Cup winner has established himself as one of the most important Springbok players in recent seasons due to his versatility and impact as an integral member of the ‘bomb squad’.

According to outlet News24, Smith could be ruled out for as long as six months, adding to an ever-increasing injury list.

Another big injury blow for Springboks

Like Smith, RG Snyman could be out for the whole year due to a knee injury, which he admitted was “a bit of a shit one”.

Speaking on the GameTime podcast alongside former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff, Snyman admitted it had been a tough pill to swallow.

“Obviously for me this season is just focusing on getting back on the field and getting back to playing and trying to do whatever I can to still support the guys or still support the team in any way possible,” he said. “But obviously it’s a bit of a sh*t one to miss out.”

on the sidelines

Props

  • Frans Malherbe: Dealing with back and neck issues; targeting a return later this year.
  • Trevor Nyakane: Lengthy injury spell; timeline remains unconfirmed.

Hookers

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

Locks

  • RG Snyman: Ruptured ACL; ruled out for the entire 2026 season.
  • Lood de Jager: Recovering from hip surgery; expected return by August.
  • Eben Etzebeth: Managing a hip injury; expected back by July.
  • Salmaan Moerat: Rehabilitating after toe surgery; nearing a return.

Loose Forwards

  • Ruan Venter: Suffered a severe knee injury requiring surgery; ruled out for the 2026 Test season (estimated six to nine months).
  • Pieter-Steph du Toit: Recovering from shoulder surgery; expected back by late May or early June.
  • Kwagga Smith: Set to be out for six months due to a knee injury

Scrumhalves

  • Morné van den Berg: Underwent surgery for a torn bicep; ruled out for four to six months.
  • Cobus Reinach: Suffered a recent knee injury; return expected by July.
  • Jaden Hendrikse: Undergoing concussion protocols following repeated head knocks; stood down indefinitely.
  • Grant Williams: Sidelined with an ongoing injury; return date remains unconfirmed.

Outside backs

  • Ethan Hooker: Recovering from dislocated shoulder surgery; sidelined until late July or August 2026.
  • Aphelele Fassi: Recovering from shoulder surgery; expected back by mid-to-late June 2026.

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