Bok's 'irritating' and 'frustrating' lay-off
CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok and Sharks prop Coenie Oosthuizen had a “frustrating” time on the sidelines.
Oosthuizen tore knee ligaments in the opening minutes of the Boks’ end-of-year clash against Ireland in Dublin in November last year. He was out action for 10 months after that horror injury before making his return to the rugby field off the bench in the Sharks’ 37-21 Currie Cup win over the Golden Lions last weekend.
The 29-year-old said it was a nervy experience when he took to the field at Kings Park.
“Training for 10 months is mind-boggling, irritating and it is so frustrating not being able to play rugby,” Oosthuizen told reporters in Durban.
“As a rugby player you get that opportunity each and every day to run into something and let a little bit of frustration out, but when you injured it’s a big stepping stone to get past.
“When you at home doing nothing keeping your mind busy is the most important thing when you are injured.
“Getting back on the field I was so nervous to be brutally honest. It wasn’t about the game it was just getting on the field and making that first hit
“I went through the first 20 minutes realising I haven’t thought about my knee once, so it was good making that first tackle and realising nothing is going to go wrong.”
Oosthuizen’s next outing for the Sharks will be against Western Province at Newlands in Cape Town.
Both teams are unbeaten heading into Saturday’s match in what could be a dress rehearsal for this year’s Final.
“Western Province is a phenomenal team, they are also unbeaten,” added Oosthuizen. “As a rugby player if you think there is no pressure going into a game then you are not in the right job.
“There is always pressure to perform and there is always pressure to bring your best. There is always pressure for the team to bring their best.
“You are only as good as your last game, so from our side, each and every single guy wants to win this game. We want to go unbeaten this season.”
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
