One less headache for Erasmus as veteran Bok returns

At a time when Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is watching his injury list grow by the week, there is at least one piece of encouraging news on the horizon.

Springbok lock Lood de Jager has been named to start for Wild Knights in Saturday’s Japan Rugby League One third-place playoff against Tokyo Sungoliath, marking his long-awaited return to action.

With the ink on this weekend’s team sheets barely dry, De Jager’s surprise return will come as a major boost for Erasmus.

The match will be De Jager’s first appearance of 2026 and his first since being sent off against France in November last year. It also comes significantly earlier than expected, with initial reports suggesting the 33-year-old would only be available again in August.

De Jager’s return comes after a frustrating spell on the sidelines. The World Cup-winning lock underwent hip surgery earlier this year, ruling him out for the remainder of the Japan Rugby League One season. It was the latest setback in a difficult few years that have included missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a heart condition, a serious shoulder injury in 2024, and a suspension following a red card against France last November.

If Erasmus had drawn up a wish list this week, De Jager’s return would have been near the top of it.

The Springboks’ second-row stocks have taken a significant hit in recent weeks, most notably with RG Snyman ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury. The loss leaves a sizeable hole in South Africa’s famed ‘Bomb Squad’ and places added responsibility on experienced campaigners such as Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje heading into a demanding international campaign.

With the inaugural Nations Championship fast approaching, Erasmus faces several selection headaches before a ball has even been kicked.

Erasmus’ concerns have been compounded by a growing injury list. Fullback Aphelele Fassi is recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected back in June, while Ethan Hooker (dislocated shoulder) and Cobus Reinach (MCL knee injury) are both targeting returns in late July.

Morne van den Berg is sidelined with a torn bicep until at least late September, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is expected to return from an ankle injury in September. Kwagga Smith remains unavailable with a knee injury and is only expected back in November, while RG Snyman has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering an ACL injury.

Most of those players are expected to miss the opening rounds of the Nations Championship, leaving Erasmus with some difficult decisions ahead of South Africa’s opening Tests against England at Ellis Park on 4 July and Scotland at Loftus Versfeld a week later.

Only Fassi is expected to be available for those fixtures, while Reinach and Hooker remain outside chances to recover in time.

Saturday’s playoff will also mark the end of an era for Cheslin Kolbe in Japan. The Springbok wing will make his 44th and final appearance for Tokyo Sungoliath after three successful seasons with the club.

Kolbe heads into his farewell match as JRLO leading points scorer this season and will be eager to sign off on a high before beginning the next chapter of his career in Cape Town.