Salmaan Moerat: Springboks Dealt Another Huge Blow as Key Player Suffers Long Term Injury
- Springboks have been dealt another huge blow as a key player is set to be sidelined for an extended period as the new season approaches
- The reigning Rugby World Cup champions have lost some of their top players to injury even before the season kicks off in a few months
- The Springboks star's injury could keep him out of action for the next six months, which means he would miss the start of the 2026 season
Injury woes are mounting for the Springboks, with key players like Frans Malherbe, who recently suffered an injury setback, and Cameron Hanekom still undergoing lengthy recoveries. Meanwhile, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager, and Faf de Klerk have all been sidelined with significant injuries.
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According to recent reports from the media, lock Salmaan Moerat, who has appeared in 11 Tests for the Springboks, could be out for up to six months due to a toe injury, reportedly linked to the substandard pitch at Cape Town Stadium.
This follows forward Adré Smith, who developed an infection after sustaining a knee injury in another match at the same venue, which has struggled to restore its surface to a rugby-standard following a motocross event in mid-December.
Prop Neethling Fouché also suffered facial abrasions during a game, while Stormers coach John Dobson – a vocal critic of the pitch quality – confirmed that several more players have been affected by the field conditions.
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“It’s extremely disappointing,” Dobson said recently. “We were promised a world-class playing surface after the Munster final, but that never materialised. The situation is critical, and we hope Stormers Rugby addresses it.”
Lock options running thin for Springboks
In a press briefing this week, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged that lock depth is an area of concern.
“When it comes to locks, considering both age and match experience, we are a bit thin,” Erasmus noted.
“Salmaan Moerat may face criticism, but he has consistently delivered for us and contributes significantly to our style of play. Ruan Nortje is established, and we’ve also trialled Ruan Venter from the Lions in that role. The COVID years cost us three crucial seasons of developing talent through Craven Week and junior structures.”
The Springboks are slated to begin their 2026 campaign against England in July.
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Springboks schedule in 2026
Springboks match schedule for the 2026 season includes a home clash against England on Saturday, 4 July at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. That fixture is followed by a meeting with Scotland on Saturday, 11 July at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, before the Boks round off their July Tests against Wales on Saturday, 18 July at Kings Park in Durban.
The Rugby Championship campaign begins on Saturday, 22 August, with the opening Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park. The second encounter with the All Blacks takes place a week later, on Saturday, 29 August, at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.
The third Test is scheduled for Saturday, 5 September at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, before the series concludes with a fourth match on Saturday, 12 September in Baltimore, Maryland.
Later in the year, the Springboks will tour Europe, starting with a fixture against Italy during the weekend of 6–8 November, followed by a showdown with France a week later, between 13–15 November, with venues yet to be confirmed. The year’s programme wraps up with a Test against Ireland on Saturday, 21 November, at a venue still to be announced.
Rugby legend speaks on Springboks' toughest rival
Briefly News previously reported that former South Africa captain Bob Skinstad disclosed the team which is one of the most challenging opponents in world rugby
Speaking on his Champagne Rugby podcast, 49-year-old Skinstad reflected on the shift in the dynamic between the two sides.
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Source: Briefly News
