The Springboks’ march into the 2026 Test season has hit a minor speed bump. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that veteran forwards Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager are heavily “touch-and-go” and highly unlikely to feature in the blockbuster season opener against England on July 4.
While the Boks successfully shook off the rust with a comfortable warm-up victory over the Barbarians, Mostert’s premature exit due to an ankle injury initially sparked serious panic in the camp.
The Medical Room Update: Mostert & De Jager
Fortunately, the latest scans bring a sigh of relief for the Bok management. The structural damage to Mostert’s ankle is less severe than initially feared, though the England clash remains out of reach.
“Lood is touch-and-go for England, but the week after that he should be available [for Scotland]. Franco should also be available around that time,” Rassie Erasmus revealed during Tuesday’s press briefing.
Both World Cup-winning locks are now targeting a return for the second Test of the incoming tour against Scotland.
Door Opens for Rising Star Riley Norton?
With two massive enforcers missing from the engine room, all eyes turn to the selection table. Rassie shed light on a massive call-up decision, explaining why young Stormers lock Riley Norton was fast-tracked into the squad ahead of the more experienced, overseas-based JJ van der Mescht.
- The System Advantage: Norton is fully integrated into SA Rugby’s structures and intimately knows the Bok defensive and set-piece systems.
- The Tactical Profile: Erasmus profiled Norton as an athletic, lineout-calling lock who dominates the park, contrasting with Van der Mescht’s direct, “bruiser” style of play.
Norton could now be in line for a dream Test debut off the bench against the English at Twickenham.
