Frans Malherbe remains unavailable for Stormers selection ahead of their United Rugby Championship match against rivals the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday.
Malherbe suffered a neck injury in the Springboks’ 19-17 loss to New Zealand on 25 September, which ruled him out of South Africa’s end-of-year-tour in November.
During a virtual media conference on Monday, Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed Malherbe’s rehabilitation is going well, but that he had not yet fully recovered and will thus not feature against the Bulls at Loftus this weekend.
“With Frans, we have a meeting with the medical team, but it’s looking very positive,” Hlungwani said.
“We’ll probably have a timeline for him later this week, but he’s doing well with his rehab and we look forward to having him back soon.”
Another prop, Neethling Fouche, also remains out with a knee injury.
But, in better news, Hlungwani said that all the Stormers’ other Springboks, including loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff, would be available for selection.
