The Springboks will next face Italy on Saturday, 7 November, before matches against France, Ireland and one final opponent during the finals weekend of the Nations Championship.

Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman are among a few World Cup winners who are unlikely to be available due to long-term injuries, while there is also a cloud of doubt hanging over Eben Etzebeth.

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson has now confirmed that Cheslin Kolbe will only return to action in December as he continues his recovery from a broken jaw.

“He’s not going to make the Springbok tour, but he’s available for us from the start of December,” he said. “He’s attending team meetings, he’s so involved, we can’t wait to have him. So there’s a silver lining in that.

“I’m sure the Springboks are going to miss him on the end-of-year tour. I don’t know if he makes it, maybe later on in the tour, I’m not close enough to it. But I know he’s with us from the beginning of December onwards.

“Because in South African rugby, they speak of that three-week compulsory rest period as ‘beer and braai’. I think neither would apply for Cheslin, but at least he’s got his rest and he’s ready to go, so he’s very excited about that.”

Springboks are well covered on the wing

In the absence of Kolbe, the Springboks will most likely deploy Ethan Hooker on the wing, with the likes of Canan Moodie and Edwill van der Merwe offering other options.

Meanwhile, Kolbe launched his autobiography this month, and he recently spoke candidly about his journey on the For the Love of Rugby South Africa podcast.

“What inspires or challenges me more, for what the rugby has given me, that escape from falling into the easy route of being a gangster, selling drugs or whatever the case might be, is just wanting to go back into not just my community but across South Africa, because there are so many other communities faced with similar challenges,” he said.

“I want to go back there and be a mentor, or inspire the young kids, to show them it doesn’t matter your circumstances or the challenges you’re going through.”

Remaining Test fixtures in 2026

• Italy vs. South Africa
  • Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
  • Time: 13:40
  • Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
• France vs. South Africa
  • Date: Friday, 13 November 2026
  • Time: 22:10
  • Venue: Stade de France, Paris
• Ireland vs. South Africa
  • Date: Saturday, 21 November 2026
  • Time: 18:40
  • Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

These three fixtures will then be followed by one more match during the finals weekend of the Nations Championship, with the opponent to be determined based on the results of the final ’round-robin’ games.