It appears increasingly unlikely that Springbok tighthead prop Frans Malherbe will play for the Stormers again.
The 35-year-old double World Cup winner is still recovering from a severe chronic back and neck injury, compounded by a recent hip setback, and has not featured since the Stormers’ Vodacom URC clash against the Scarlets in Llanelli in March 2025.
Malherbe’s contract expires at the end of the season and is unlikely to be renewed.
“Frans’ rehab is not complete yet,” Dobson said on Friday. “He’s training with us, but he’s not scrumming.”
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Dobson said the Stormers were well stocked at tighthead going into next season, with incoming Springbok Wilco Louw joining current front-rowers Neethling Fouché, Zachary Porthen and Sazi Sandi.
“With Frans injured and Wilco not here yet, Sazi is not even playing this week, we are counting on Herman [Lubbe] and Hencus [van Wyk] is there too.”
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Dobson said the Stormers would need their depth next season.
“We start next season with matches against Connacht, Edinburgh and the Sharks, and could be without our Springboks for nine matches. That’s when Sazi hits gold.
“We can’t tell Sazi, ‘listen, you’re not going to play now’, and then knock on his door later and say he’s super important. Sazi is also on a mission to become a Springbok.”
Despite the selection headaches, Dobson believes tighthead depth remains crucial.
“We need all four of them,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that in my mind.”
Photo: Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images
