Andre Esterhuizen is back for the Boks. Photo: Archieves
BOK WATCH: Esterhuizen wins award, DDA battles injury, Eben returns
There have been contrasting fortunes for two overseas-based Bok inside centres, while there is good news for lock Eben Etzebeth.
Andre Esterhuizen is back for the Boks. Photo: Archieves
Damian de Allene, who is the incumbent Bok 12 and enjoyed another memorable 2021 season, is currently battling with a frustrating injury that has ruled him out of action for Irish club Munster.
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De Allende has been sidelined since 1 January due to a core muscle injury, and according to Munster defence coach JP Ferreira, there’s still no definitive timeline on when he will be back.
“Damian is busy rehabbing and getting that hip flexor and groin right, so there’s also no timeline on him,” Ferreira told the Irish Examiner.
“It’s pretty much up to the medics to say how long but they assess him every day and every week, and we just get updates on how he’s tracking with his rehabbing. So, in the near future, I can’t say he’ll be available for whatever game. It’s just how good he’s going to rehab and get himself right.
“We’ll do everything in our ability to get him back as soon as we can. So, yeah, let’s hope, fingers crossed, that he gets his rehab done and he can get on training with us as soon as he can.”
De Allende’s injury misfortune contrasts with the form of Esterhuizen, who is playing some of the best rugby of his career, and is knocking loudly on the Bok door.
Esterhuizen was named Premiership Player of the Month for January, and has won plaudits from former England and British & Irish Lions star Ugo Monye.
“He can do everything, quite simply. We often focus on the obvious things. Ball-carrying, brilliant. Defending, great. Work at the breakdown and work off the ball is exceptional,” said Monye.
ANOTHER BOK SET FOR INJURY RETURN
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Meanwhile, France-based Eben Etzebeth is set to make his long-awaited return from an enforced layoff as Toulon prepare to face Top 14 rivals Bordeaux on Saturday.
The towering lock suffered his third concussion of the year in the Springboks’ final match of 2021 against England, which ruled him out for three months.
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