Booysen blow for upbeat Tuks

FNB Tuks have paid a high price for their biggest win of the season in the FNB Varsity Cup competition presented by Steinhoff International.

Experienced player Franco Booysen (pictured, right, leaving the field on Monday), Tuks’ first choice at inside centre this year, will not be playing against FNB Maties next Monday – after injuring his ankle in the Varsity Cup match against FNB NMMU.

He was rushed to hospital on Monday night, where X-Rays were taken. The good news is that his ankle is not fractured, but the exact nature and extent of his injury will be known only after he has undergone more tests.

Tuks physiotherapist Pieter du Plessis confirmed that Booysen would be not available for selection for the North-South derby at the Danie Craven Stadium and the player, himself, told varsitycup.co.za that the pain and discomfort he has had to endure since his injury was the worst he had ever experienced.

“I’m still in terrible pain and survive purely on pain medication.

“If ever there was bad timing, this is it. It is very frustrating because I really wanted to play against, and beat, the Maties in their own backyard,” said Booysen.

His injury will necessitate a change in the Tuks backline for their trip to Stellenbosch next week (kick-off 4.30pm).

In this regard, all eyes will be on Gerhard van der Merwe on Wednesday night in the friendly between FNB Tuks’ second stringers, the Fezelas, and Rustenburg-Impalas.

Van der Merwe was a first choice player last year, but has been out of action with a back injury since the start of the season.

Gertjie Smith can also come into contention, however, in the crucial inside centre position.

He is a very versatile player, at home in almost every position in the backline. Smith played fullback in FNB Tuks’ first two matches of the season and moved to outside centre in their third fixture.

By Morris Gilbert