Springboks: Rassie Erasmus sweats over key duo as injuries strike ahead of Nations Championship
Handre Pollard (left) and Andre Esterhuizen (right) are injury concerns heading into the Nations Championship
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of two key men ahead of the Nations Championship, in the form of Handre Pollard and Andre Esterhuizen.
The pair both suffered injuries in URC action this past weekend, which now leaves the Boks boss with a nervous wait ahead of next month’s Tests against Italy, France and Ireland before their finals weekend placement fixture.
South Africa are yet to name their extended training squad for the campaign, but come into the Tests top of the Southern Hemisphere pool following three successive wins in July.
Rassie Erasmus sweats over key duo ahead of Nations Championship
Bulls fly-half Pollard was substituted part-way through his side’s 34-26 win over Ulster on Saturday due to a hamstring injury, and is now set for scans as a result. While there is no current timeframe on a possible return, he is under a cloud heading into the Bulls’ upcoming URC fixture against the Scarlets, and could also be a doubt for the Boks further down the track.
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This is not Pollard’s first injury concern of the season, either, with the 33-year-old back withdrawing from the Springboks’ victory over the All Blacks in Test Two of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series back in August. However, he has since featured three times in the Green and Gold jersey in 2026, starting once.
Elsewhere, Erasmus is also facing the prospect of being without Sharks man Esterhuizen as well, after he suffered a lower limb injury last weekend.
The powerhouse, who has shifted into a utility flanker/centre for the Boks in recent Tests, came off just 52 seconds into his side’s win over Cardiff on Friday night with an ankle issue, and was later spotted in a moonboot. He has now been sent back to South Africa for further assessment.
Esterhuizen had again been a mainstay in Erasmus’ side across 2026, featuring in seven Tests to date.
But, in better news, Bulls back Canan Moodie is likely to be ready for the November Tests after overcoming a head injury, with him confirmed to be in the selection mix for Johan Ackermann’s side this weekend.
