Another top Bok in doubt as Malcolm Marx joins lengthy injury list

The 31-year-old hooker left the field at half-time during the Kubota Spears' 26-24 semi-final win over the Saitama Wild Knights on Sunday, having picked up a bicep muscle injury.

The extent of the damage is still unclear, with both his Japanese club and the Springbok management awaiting further medical evaluation before determining a possible timeline for recovery.

Marx's setback adds to a growing list of concerns for South Africa ahead of the 2026 international season, with several key players already sidelined.

Over the weekend, star flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was ruled out for an extended period after sustaining an ankle injury in the Stormers' Vodacom URC quarter-final win over Cardiff.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu joins his Bok half-back partner Cobus Reinach on the sidelines, after the scrumhalf was forced to go under the knife for a groin injury.

Fellow No 9 Morne van den Berg, utility back Ethan Hooker, and fullback Aphelele Fassi are all currently in various stages of rehabilitation following surgery.

Up front, loose forward star Kwagga Smith has also been ruled out for the rest of the year following a serious knee injury, as have lock RG Snyman and utility forward Ruan Venter.