Bath confirm Springbok forward's injury blow
INJURY UPDATE: Springbok Dan du Preez has suffered a hamstring injury that will sideline him for several weeks, dealing Bath a blow ahead of Friday’s derby against Gloucester in the Gallagher PREM.
The South African number eight, who joined Bath from Sale Sharks during the off-season, missed last weekend’s 32-14 Champions Cup defeat to Montpellier and is expected to sit out Bath’s next two league matches, including their clash with Sale.
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan confirmed the setback to SomersetLive.
“Unfortunately, he tore his hamstring earlier in the week, so he will be unavailable for a few weeks,” van Graan said.
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The injury comes at a difficult time for Bath, who are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats against Northampton Saints and Montpellier.
There was some positive news for the English club, with 22-year-old Arthur Green impressing against Montpellier after scoring a superb solo try. Fellow South African Jaco Coetzee also returned to action following his second ACL injury.
Bath are expecting further reinforcements in the coming weeks. Back-rower Miles Reid is nearing a return after completing concussion protocols, while wingers Will Muir and Henry Arundell, along with full-back Tom de Glanville, have resumed parts of training.
Flanker Thompson Cowan remains on track to return during the Autumn Prem Cup, while tighthead prop Billy Sela is expected back in late November.
England flanker Sam Underhill is likely to remain sidelined until December following bicep surgery, with prop Jamie Bhatti targeting a return early in the new year.
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