If Malcolm is not in the middle, who is next in line at hooker for the Springboks?

Malcolm Marx's injury is a massive blow for the Springboks ahead of the international season.

The news out of Japan of an injury to Malcolm Marx hit Springbok supporters like a ton of bricks — not just because he is a brilliant player, but because it is an item of bad news too many.

No doubt Rassie Erasmus feels the same way as he continues to digest the loss of ace playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Bomb Squad captain Kwagga Smith for the approaching Nations Championship.

This is on top of a lengthy casualty list that includes indispensable Boks in Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Cobus Reinach, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Ethan Hooker, Aphelele Fassi, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Grant Williams, Morné van den Berg, and Jaden Hendrikse.

It is in times like these — when good men are falling like flies — that Erasmus’ policy of growing squad depth over the last two seasons makes so much sense. By blooding 50 different players over the international seasons in 2024 and 2025, Erasmus has created viable options to replace the injured, although in some positions — notably hooker — the waters are a touch muddier than in others.