Springbok lock De Jager faces lengthy spell on sidelines

Bulls lock and captain Lood De Jager’s Super Rugby season has taken a major dent.

Springbok lock suffered a shoulder injury during the Bulls’ 12-27 defeat to the Jaguares in Round two.

De Jager, who missed the Bulls’ win over the Lions last weekend, was expected to be sidelined for the few weeks.

However, Bulls doctor Herman Rossouw revealed that the severity of the shoulder injury requires surgery, leaving the 26-year-old out of action for at least four months.

“Lood consulted with another specialist and it was determined that he will undergo surgery,” Rossouw confirmed, adding: “This means he will be on the sidelines for four months and will return at the end of Super Rugby,”

De Jager’s lengthy injury is a massive setback for the Bulls, who have won all their Super Rugby matches thus far.

Nonetheless, De Jager, who is scheduled to return to action in July, could still make the World Cup which is set to start in September.

The South African Test season starts on July 20 with a Rugby Championship match against Australia at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

In terms of other casualties following the tough encounter in Johannesburg, the Bulls doctor revealed that Ruan Steenkamp, who left the field with a concussion is making progress and is set to be fully fit for this weekend match against the Sharks at Loftus.

Credit: @rugby365com

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