Erasmus and those close to double Rugby World Cup winner Malherbe, 35, persuaded him to play on, but he has not represented the Springboks since September 2024, though he could yet add to his 76 caps this year afetr being named for the most recent alignment camp
“I had a meeting with him last year and Frans was close to retiring,” Erasmus told Rapport. “Not because he thought he wouldn’t be able to play again, but because he was struggling with his back just to do normal things with his family, things he enjoys. It was frustrating for him.
“Some of us advised him and said if you retire you can’t just say three years later that you want to come back. It’s better not to retire with the idea that you might come back in a few years. That was the advice from us and his other friends.”
Despite his injury woes, Erasmus says Malherbe remains in his plans for the Springboks heading towards the 2027 Rugby world Cup, though the player remains sidelined at the Stormers.
“We forget how good Frans was for us just two years ago,” he said.