Frans Malherbe

Jozua Francois Malherbe (born 14 March 1991) is a South African rugby union footballer. He plays as a tighthead prop for Western Province in the Currie Cup and the Stormers in Super Rugby.

Early life

Malherbe attended Paarl Boys' High School, where he also captained the First Rugby team to victory in Interschools in his Matric year.

Career

Malherbe made both his senior Western Province and Stormers debuts in 2011, however it was the following year when he fully cemented his place in both sides. He played in every Stormers match during the 2012 Super Rugby season and only missed one match in Western Province's successful 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division campaign when he provided injury cover for South Africa squad on their tour of Australasia. He was a starter as Province upset the Natal Sharks 25–18 in Durban to become a Currie Cup winner at the age of 21.

2013 saw his reputation grow and he retained his position as the Stormers first-choice tighthead ahead of the more experienced Pat Cilliers who had joined the franchise from the Lions. He made 11 appearances during the 2013 Super Rugby season before an injury ended his campaign and forced him to miss the majority of the 2013 Currie Cup season. He made his comeback towards the back end of the campaign making 4 appearances from the bench and helping Province reach their second successive Currie Cup final.