Springbok lock Lood de Jager is hopeful that his injury woes will soon be behind him and that once he recovers and returns to competitive action, he will still firmly be in the Bok frame in the coming years.
De Jager, who was a World Cup winner with the Boks in 2019, missed out on the 2023 edition due to a rare heart condition called pericarditis, which was picked up shortly before the naming of last year's World Cup squad.
After recovering from that De Jager returned to action with his Japanese club Wild Knights earlier this year, but received another blow when he picked up a shoulder injury that was initially expected to keep him out for up to two months, but now seems like he may only return at the end of the year.
Despite the disappointment of his most recent injury, which means he will have missed almost two years of Bok action, De Jager was in high spirits when chatting to media at a Caste Lager sponsors event in Kyalami earlier this week.
"I feel like I have to reintroduce myself to everybody again. I've been off the field so long people keep asking me if I'm retired," said De Jager with a laugh.
"I want to get back, it's been a while, but it's a slow process, we're taking it day-by-day, just following the doctor and physiotherapists' advice. It's a tricky one (the injury), and I've started my rehab properly now.
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'Musica' headed for SA
Cruising is just lekker. There is no other word or phrase that would really do it justice, hyperbole aside.
Museum of military history
Symbolic home of soldiers and veterans worldwide
Camping ain’t for sissies
It enriches, yes, but sometimes leaves you poorer
Boks are fully loaded
ERASMUS: NOT SCARED TO FLIP BACK TO HIS 7-1 BOMB SQUAD BENCH SPLIT
India draw first blood
Turning out against the global champions for the first time since they were edged in their memorable battle in the T20 World Cup final earlier this year, the Proteas stumbled again last night as they were completely demolished by India in the first of four T20 Internationals in Durban.
Make-or-break for Bok five
The Springboks get down to business tomorrow in their opening game of their end-of-year-tour against Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and they will be gunning to get off to the best possible start. They will be eager to cap a magnificent year with a clean sweep on their tour to the UK. Ross Roche looks at a quintet of players that will be eager to seize their chance to impress on tour.
Some game-changing boxes still left for coach Rassie to tick
The Springboks take on Scotland, England and Wales over the next three weekends in Edinburgh, London and Cardiff respectively.
Jones wary of Dupont 'threat'
Evolving France face Eddie Jones' struggling Japan in the a November international today with superstar Antoine Dupont (above) making his first 15-a-side appearance for the hosts in more than a year.
Drafting Suaalii was never a risk
WALLABIES: FACING ENGLAND IS A HUGE 'OPPORTUNITY'
'Rusty' Azzurri not bothering Quesada
Gonzalo Quesada expects his Italy team to be ring rusty when they take on his home nation Argentina in the Azzurri's opening November Test match today, hoping to end a positive year on a high.
