Skip to main content

Springbok Ahmed doubtful for Italy Test with shoulder concern

Rassie Erasmus said the uncapped Ahmed may be sent home for scans, with the call due on Tuesday 3 November, days before the Turin Test.

By RuckBee NewsroomUpdated 1 min read
A curly-haired athlete in a green sleeveless top sits on a treatment table, gripping his bandaged shoulder.
AI illustration

Uncapped Springbok Ahmed may have to leave the tour and fly home for scans on a sore shoulder, with Rassie Erasmus due to make the decision on Tuesday 3 November 2026.

Erasmus said it looks like Ahmed will have to go back home for a scan or two. He added: "If we need somebody and he can’t play, we’ll make the call whether he has to return to South Africa."

The coach praised the player's openness. Erasmus said Ahmed told him about the shoulder, whereas new players often try to hide an injury.

Ahmed is one of as many as six uncapped players in the 37-man squad for the November leg of the Nations Championship. The Springboks have named a matchday 23 for the opener against Italy with no Test debutants, as Erasmus wants newcomers to integrate first.

Siya Kolisi captains the side, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf. The Test is on Saturday 7 November 2026 in Turin, with kick-off at 13:40.

More on RuckBee: Handré Pollard hamstring adds to Springbok injuries before end-of-year tour · Cheslin Kolbe injury rules him out of Springboks' Nations Championship tour · Tommaso Menoncello injury rules Italy centre out of Nations Championship

Sources

All pro rugby stories
A tight huddle of five intense red-jerseyed rugby players, the central man with arms outstretched binding teammates.

Pro Rugby

Romania v Tonga opens Nations Cup round four in Bucharest

Level at three wins each in six meetings since 2013, Romania and Tonga meet in Bucharest with unbeaten Georgia and USA setting the pace in the pools.

A smiling young woman with a ponytail sits at a desk gesturing toward a laptop showing a video call with six smiling women.

Pro Rugby

URC Women's Leadership Academy opens 2027 applications to 30 November

Fifty applicants aged 18–26 from around the world will be chosen, and one will be named the Academy's MVP with work experience at the URC Grand Final.

Ten business people in suits sit and stand around a wooden boardroom table, sliding plain folders across it.

Pro Rugby

Ten agents appointed for Rugby World Cup 2027 hospitality packages

Ten agencies from seven countries were picked from 45 applicants to sell hospitality for the tournament in Australia, which starts on Friday 1 October 2027.