Springbok finds coronavirus silver lining

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has found a silver lining amid all the chaos brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The indefinite suspension of Europe’s Pro14 has allowed Cheetahs and 88-Test scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar an extended timeframe to recover from a back injury which has sidelined him in recent weeks.

“I have to consult with the back specialist on April 3 and I think there is enough time for my back to fully recover and get strong again. I think the only advantage in not playing rugby at the moment is that the players who are struggling with injury can fully recover for when play resumes,” Pienaar told Netwerk24.

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Our season has been suspended indefinitely and the 2020 Final will now not take place in Cardiff.

Full statement here: https://t.co/OhbiFaPpZm pic.twitter.com/ESDyYVUuft

— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) March 19, 2020

The 36-year-old sustained the injury in his team’s captain’s run ahead of their final tour match against the Dragons in Wales last month.

The Cheetahs eventually fell to the Newport-based club 10-13, leaving them in fourth spot of Conference A with six wins from three matches.

Pienaar and his teammates had their training halted last week as a result of the pandemic, and like the rest of the rugby world, the Bloemfontein side are unsure when they will return to action.

“Look, it’s a frustrating period, but we understand the circumstances. At this stage your health is of far greater importance than playing rugby, no matter how much we’d like to play,” Pienaar said.

Pro14 officials cancelled this season’s final earlier this month, which was scheduled to have taken place in Cardiff on June 20.

Netwerk24

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