Lood de Jager is set to make his long-awaited return to rugby this weekend, offering Rassie Erasmus a rare piece of good news amid a mounting injury crisis in the Springbok second row.
The veteran lock has been named to start for Panasonic Wild Knights in Saturday’s Japan Rugby League One third-place playoff — his first appearance of 2026 and one that arrives significantly ahead of schedule. Initial reports had suggested the 33-year-old would only be available again in August.
De Jager’s return follows a gruelling spell on the sidelines.
Hip surgery earlier this year ruled him out for the remainder of the JRLO season, the latest setback in a difficult few years that have also included missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a heart condition, a serious shoulder injury in 2024, and a suspension following a red card against France last November.
The timing of his comeback could hardly be more critical. The Springboks’ second-row stocks have taken a significant hit in recent weeks, most notably with RG Snyman ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a ruptured ACL — his third such injury.
The loss of Snyman leaves a sizeable hole in South Africa’s forward depth and places added responsibility on experienced campaigners such as Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje heading into a demanding international campaign.
With the inaugural Nations Championship fast approaching, Erasmus faces several selection headaches before a ball has even been kicked.
The broader injury list compounds the concern — Aphelele Fassi (shoulder), Ethan Hooker (dislocated shoulder), Cobus Reinach (MCL), Morne van den Berg (torn bicep), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (ankle) and Kwagga Smith (knee) are all sidelined, with most expected to miss the opening rounds of the tournament.
South Africa open their Nations Championship campaign against England at Ellis Park on 4 July, before hosting Scotland at Loftus Versfeld a week later. Erasmus will need every fit body he can find — and De Jager’s early return, however unexpected, is exactly the kind of boost the world champions needed.
📸 Images via SA Rugby / Gallo Images
