1
'He tried to syringe or use a knife and it created more infection'
What happened to Coenie Oosthuizen last Friday to force him to pull out of the Sale XV that was to take on Saracens at home in the Gallagher Premiership sounded like an April Fools’ Day sketch. The Sharks Twitter account reported that the No3 “had dropped out of today’s match after picking up an injury in the warm-up”.
ADVERTISEMENT
That didn’t tell the whole story behind his absence, though. The truth was that the 33-year-old former Springboks tighthead had to endure an unexpected night off because of how he reacted to suffering a bite the previous day from an unidentified insect.
It resulted in a load of pus appearing on his leg and rather than seek out medical help at Sale, Oosthuizen decided to take action himself and it resulted in his game-missing mishap. Sharks boss Alex Sanderson wasn’t certain whether the prop had syringed himself or used a knife to go at the pus.
Regardless of what implement he used, the net result for the 126kg tighthead was that he infected the bite even more and it left him unable to run on matchday, forcing him to sit it out while Nick Schonert was promoted to start and Joe Jones was hurriedly called up to occupy the bench.
The upside is that Oosthuizen is now mended ahead of next Saturday’s Sale versus Bristol encounter in the Heineken Champions Cup and his disbelieving boss Sanderson can finally laugh at the strange situation that unfolded ahead of the league loss to Saracens.
“He will be over the moon people are interested in his insect bite,” quipped Sanderson about Oosthuizen, who has been at Sale since 2019. “I don’t know (what type of insect). It’s just because it has got warm and we have a few bugs in and around the training ground. We have got an equestrian centre next door do and it might be something from that, might be something from the manure, but I can find out if you like and get back to you.
“He got bitten by an insect on Thursday which got infected. The report I got from the doctor on game day was he tried to do something to himself, tried to syringe or maybe took a knife to it to get the puss out himself. In doing so it created more infection and then he couldn’t run the next day and I’m, ‘What are the chances of that?’ At that point there is no point pulling your hair out, you just go, ‘You’ve done it, Nick starts and JJ is on the bench’.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He is fine now, running around like a spring chicken. The antibiotics kicked in but it was just the day before game day and he came into game day and he couldn’t run with it. Of all the things that could keep you out, it was an insect bite last week. Ridiculous, isn’t it? Doctor’s pulling hair out, but that is old-school South African mentality, ‘I’ll fix this myself’, but he is good to go now.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments