Springbok and Sharks tighthead prop Vincent Koch is entering the final stages of his rehabilitation after recovering from a shoulder injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the last couple of months.
For the 35-year-old veteran, this comeback for the Sharks is about more than just a return to United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions Cup action, it is a critical period in his career to maintain his relevance within the Springbok setup.
Koch played just two Tests for the Springboks in 2025
Koch, a cornerstone of the “Bomb Squad” during the 2019 and 2023 World Cup campaigns, faced a frustrating 2025 season hampered by injury, some drops in form, and a change in role at Springbok level as other ‘newcomers’ were handed opportunities.
At 35, questions regarding age and longevity at international level are understandable, but Koch now has the opportunity to demonstrate that his scrummaging power remains at an elite level.
According to Netwerk24, the good news is that Koch could feature as soon as this Saturday’s match against the Sale Sharks in Manchester.
Holding off the youth
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia on the horizon, Rassie Erasmus has indicated a need to “refresh” the squad, which has understandably seen senior players begin to be phased out.
For Koch, the goal is clear: use the domestic season to prove that he still has the engine to contribute at international level, and add to his 63 Test caps.
