Cameron Hanekom has emerged as a doubt for the Springboks’ first November Nations Championship match against Italy.

The loose forward started the Bulls’ 54-26 victory over the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.

However, he was substituted at half-time and replaced by Marcell Coetzee, who scored twice as his side survived a late surge by the visitors.

Cameron Hanekom’s injury update

Speaking after the match, Bulls boss Ackermann issued a concerning update on Hanekom, revealing that the back-rower is struggling with a lower back injury and the coaching staff asked the forward to soldier on through until half-time before making the change.

“He struggled a little bit with his lower back quite early in the game, and we asked him to push until half-time,” Ackermann told reporters.

“Credit to him for hanging in there; he got to half-time, and then the medical staff wanted to treat him, and I just felt we didn’t need to risk that.

“We’ve got Marcel, so let’s make it a straight swap, just to protect him as well. He’s fine, but he was battling with his lower back.”

That update will concern Erasmus, who is set to name his team on Monday for the opening game of the November Nations Championship match. Hanekom has become a regular feature for the Boks this year after missing the 2025 international season through injury. He earned his second Test cap for South Africa in the clash against England at Ellis Park in July.

The 24-year-old also started against Argentina before Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, where he came off the bench in the latter three Test matches, scoring a try in the finale in Baltimore. Hanekom is one of seven Bulls players selected in Erasmus’ Springboks squad for the November internationals.

When the Springboks will return for the Bulls

Ackermann said that those seven players will be available for selection for the Bulls when the URC returns in December. Springboks players do have a mandatory break during the season, but there is no specified period when that must occur. He did caveat their availability, though, for the December 5 clash against the Lions, depending on their fitness and how often they will feature for Erasmus during the window.

Furthermore, if South Africa reach the final of the Nations Championship, they will be in action on the Sunday before the URC returns which will delay their return by a day and impact their preparations with the Bulls.

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“On paper, they will be available straight away from the Lions game, but if I have got it correct, if the Boks keep performing, they will play in the final of that competition on the Sunday,” Ackermann explained.

“So those players won’t arrive until Tuesday, and we play on Saturday. In my planning, I don’t see those seven players really involved in the Lions game, so they will be available again [after that].

“We don’t know how many tests they’re going to play, or who is going to play either, so that will be a factor, and then once they’re back, it just all depends on how fresh they are, but from there, after they are available.”