Fourie du Preez is lost to Springbok rugby for now.
The Bulls scrumhalf will undergo a shoulder operation on Tuesday, which could render him out of action for the rest of the season.
This will mean that Du Preez, who is widely considered the world’s leading scrumhalf, will not just miss the Tests against France and Italy, but also the Tri-Nations and South Africa’s Grand Slam tour in November.
Du Preez saw a specialist on Wednesday morning about the shoulder injury that has been bothering him for a long time.
It was decided that an operation is the best option, especially as it will give Du Preez the best opportunity of being 100% ready for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand, where the Springboks will defend the Webb Ellis Trophy.
The longer the operation is postponed, the bigger the chance of serious damage and the lengthier the recovery will be.
The timing of the surgery is therefore as important as the operation itself, Sport24 was told.
Du Preez will only discuss the latest development with Springbok team management on Sunday.
There is a chance that they will request he postpone the operation, but that will be short-sighted.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is, after all, hailed by his players for the manner in which he acts in their best interests and that is why flanker Juan Smith also recently opted for surgery.
How the Boks will get along without Du Preez, who has played 55 Tests, is another question.
He was crowned South Africa’s player of the year because of his superb performances last season. Du Preez also turned this year’s Super 14 upside down with some outstanding performances.
He is expected to be out of action for six months and will therefore only play for the Bulls in next year’s Super 15 again.
De Villiers has a few options as replacements, but he will have to get it right.
Ricky Januarie is playing against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, but a number of experts believe his best days are behind him.
Januarie was unable to make the Stormers’ starting line-up this year and appears to be earmarked as a future impact player.
Ruan Pienaar now has to be considered the favourite for the position, though he’s playing flyhalf on Saturday.
His tactical kicking is closest to that of Du Preez and his general play similar.
He also played some superb rugby for the Sharks in the No 9 jersey and is playing with confidence in the position.
Francois Hougaard, who was Du Preez’s understudy on last year’s November tour, is also on the injured list due to a hand and is in a race against time to be fit for the Tri-Nations.
Jano Vermaak, an Emerging Springbok from the Lions tour, is another contender that may now get an opportunity to make his mark against the French and Italians.
He has been knocking on the door for a long time and showed against the British and Irish Lions that he’s ready for rugby at the highest level.
Sarel Pretorius and Rory Kockott are other dark horses.
JJ Harmse
Baie slegte nuus
Herstel mooi Fourie
Dink Ruan sal inkom
Met Hougaard op die bank…Ek hoop
so sorg jou lyf ma vir jou goeie ruskans vir hom
Pienaar is the only option here.
Is Heinie Adams injured?
Pienaar was the form scrumhalf in the S14 according to rugby365, so not such a big loss. 😉
morning everyone
hmmm, not the best news to start the day with.
anyway, with the wc only next year (i believe) this break came at exactly the right time. hope he can regain his form in time for nz2011 though!!
This operation is long overdue. Cowboys don’t cry. This is an opportunity to look at the alternatives.
What PDV needs to do is make Ruan the scrummie today and declare him first choice for the coming international season.
He should play scrum half against Wales on Saturday, and get everybodies backing.
With that kind of support and confidence we will see the best of Ruan.
However if PDV experiments in these next few tests with different scrummies and Ruan again finds himself in no mans land then we will do our Bok cause no good.
He deserves a good rest he still is the best scrummie, but now we will see if there is any one out there who can fill his shoes.
Oi… this has been coming for a long time…
Rest well Fourie…. you are clearly the best, we need you for next year!
ja speel ruaan nou vir die res van die seisoen op scrummie met sarel petoors op backup of hougaard
very bad news for sa rugby… But rather this than popping his shoulder a month before the wc….. Ruan number 1 hougaard number 2…. We should be alright…. I hope
FdP must do what is best for him but this is a massive loss for the Boks. Please not Ricky to fill in. Really hope not. Ruan should now be our scrummie for the up coming tests.
@ tight head:7 – Tight Head, That is what PdV should be doing. I probably that wont happen. Ruan going to play FH this Saturday and Ricky at scrummie. He will probably play Ricky at SH for the other tests coming up.
Ruan has been in great form this S14 season playing SH. So hoping he gets the nod ahead of the rest now.
Jammer oor FDP, maar ek het verwag dit gaan een of ander tyd gebeur. As jy so baie trofees moet optel elke jaar, dan gaan jou skouer een of ander tyd ingee. 😀
Hoop die rustyd doen hom goed, en dat hy nog sterker en beter terug is volgende jaar vir die Bulle en Bokke.
Ruan moet nou instaan, met FH op vleuel vir die Bokke. Dan het ons ‘n ekstra plek op die bank vir nog ‘n speler.
@ bdb:
😆
bdb @ 14
😆
I reckon we’re fortunate to have so many talented and utility Bokke; FH – scrummie/wing, Ricky – scrummie/prop, Victor – lock/ centre…..
17@ fender:
hehehe, ja, ons in ‘n baie gelukkige posisie.
Once that shoulder has been fixed, he will be better, stronger, faster….just like “die man van staal” 🙂
Good thing he’s getting that shoulder fixed. Should give him some much needed rest and enough time to recover in time for the RWC.
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