Two injured Springboks to return following injuries
Two Springboks who were injured during the 2023 Rugby World Cup are set to make their long awaited return to action
The Springbok team’s World Cup winning campaign has gone down in the history books as the Springboks clinched a fourth Webb Ellis trophy, but it has certainly come at quite a cost.
Several players are still recovering from injuries suffered during the global tournament, with two-time World Cup winners Jesse Kriel and Faf de Klerk the latest players to go in for surgery, and now face lengthy spells out of action due to injuries picked up in Japan.
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However, the good news is that there are two players who have made good progress with their injuries. For one, Munster have confirmed that lock RG Snyman has made a full return to training and is expected to be available for selection this month.
Snyman, recovering from a chest injury sustained during the Rugby World Cup final in October, underwent surgery in November and was initially only expected to return in March, but he has recovered faster than expected.
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Meanwhile, fellow forward Frans Mahlerbe has been given a 70% chance of being fit enough to face the Sharks in Durban on 17 February when the URC resumes next week.
The big prop has been on the sidelines with a long-term back injury since returning from the World Cup in France, but has recovered well in recent weeks.
FOUR SPRINGBOKS STILL ON THE SIDELINES
Bongi Mbonambi
The Sharks hooker suffered a serious knee injury in the early stages of the Rugby World Cup title decider, having been on the receiving end of a dangerous cleanout at a ruck.
The long-term absence of Mbonambi has certainly come as a blow for the Sharks, and it’s believed he could end up missing the entire URC season as he recovers from the ACL injury.
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Jesse Kriel
Kriel has returned to South Africa to undergo surgery on his right thumb, which has been successful, according to his recent Instagram post. He aims to return for the end of the season, likely making him available for the Boks’ July fixtures against Ireland in the Republic.
“I’ve been struggling with my thumb that I need to go to get repaired, and I have to have surgery, so I will be away for a while,” he wrote. “Hopefully I won’t miss too many games, and I will be back for the end of the season for a few games. So, I will do my best to recover as fast as possible.”
Jean Kleyn
Notably, it was recently confirmed that lock Jean Kleyn will also be undergoing knee surgery.
The towering second rower in fact suffered an eye injury in Munster’s URC derby defeat to Leinster in November, but with it taking longer than expected to heal, he has now opted to undergo surgery on his knee. He is expected to be out for several months.
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Faf de Klerk
In another blow, it’s been confirmed that the veteran scrumhalf has had to undergo knee surgery, and the expectation is that he will be out of action for quite some time.
“I’m really disappointed that I must receive surgery on my knee, but I can’t wait to get back on the field with the Eagles family as soon as possible,” he posted on social media. “I will work really hard, but ask that everyone please support the team. Arigato.”
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Vincent Koch
Koch, who played as a substitute in two playoff games at the Rugby World Cup, has been ruled out for three months due to the knee injury that prevented him from playing in the Rugby World Cup final.
His absence is another blow to the Sharks, who were banking on having two World Cup-winning Springboks firing in the front row.
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