Frans Malherbe’s rugby future remains unclear after he was left out of the Stormers squad for the new season.
The Springbok prop has been out for a long spell due to neck and back problems.
Malherbe is still training in Cape Town. However, Stormers boss John Dobson says he will not play for the club for the “foreseeable future”.
There is now a major question over whether the 35-year-old will play again.
“I don’t think he has made a decision,” Dobson said.
“My guess, and this may be just a John Dobson guess, is that it’s going to drag into the new year.
“He’s training a lot here, but he’s certainly not going to play for us in the foreseeable future.”
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World Cup hopes in doubt
A final decision could come in January.
That could also decide whether Malherbe has any chance of playing at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
“What I hear is that there could be a decision made in January,” Dobson said.
“That will determine whether he can make the 2027 World Cup.”
Dobson added that the Stormers could help Malherbe if he needs game time before a possible Springbok return.
He said: “Maybe there’s a request that he plays a game or two, which we will accommodate.
“There’s no firm decision yet, but he’s certainly not playing for us in the foreseeable future.”
Rassie Erasmus wants him back
Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus has already spoken about Malherbe’s future.
Earlier this year, Erasmus revealed that Malherbe had come close to retiring because of his injury problems.
The prop was struggling with his back away from rugby as well as on the pitch.
However, South Africa still hope he can make a comeback.
Erasmus provided another update in August, saying Malherbe was “trying his best” to return.
He also pointed to January as a possible date for a comeback.
Malherbe has been a key part of the Springboks during their most successful era.
He helped South Africa win the Rugby World Cup in both 2019 and 2023.
The tighthead has won 76 caps for his country since making his Test debut in 2013.
But time is now against him.
The next few months could decide whether Malherbe gets one final shot at playing for the Springboks — or whether his decorated career has already come to an end.
