Good to be back with the Boks, says De Jager

AFTER nearly two years in the Test rugby wilderness due to various injuries, World Cup winner Lood de Jager is set to resume his Springbok rugby career imminently.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Included in the Bok squad for the mid-year matches against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia, De Jager is scheduled to play his first match in about 23 months as early as next Saturday against the Barbarians in Cape Town.

The 32-year-old lock has been training with the squad for the last two weeks in Johannesburg ahead of the match.

Despite missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a heart condition and then picking up a shoulder injury that kept him out for nine months, the lineout guru is ready for the challenge ahead.

“It's good to be back,” an elated De Jager said about being with the Boks.

“It was tough to be on the outside (while injured), but I had my family and kids to keep me occupied so that I didn’t overthink things.