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Four World Cup winners ruled out of Springboks’ Nations Championship squad

Rugby World Cup winners Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard have been ruled out of the Springboks' November tour due to injury.

Rugby Pass

Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 8:21 AM

Key Things to Know

Four Rugby World Cup winners have been ruled out of South Africa's November tour due to injury.
Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen, and Handre Pollard are missing from the 37-man squad.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus called up six uncapped players to the Springboks roster.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Rugby World Cup winners Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen, and Handre Pollard have been ruled out of South Africa's November tour due to injuries. The quartet was omitted from head coach Rassie Erasmus' 37-man squad for the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures against Italy, France, and Ireland ahead of the Finals Weekend in London.

In response to the injuries, Erasmus named six uncapped players: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton, and Emmanuel Tshituka. They join an experienced core that features captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Damian de Allende.

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Four World Cup winners ruled out of Springboks’ Nations Championship squad

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