Hanekom inches closer to Bulls and Bok return

SPRINGBOK and Bulls loose-forward Cameron Hanekom is edging closer to a return-to-play date and could be part of the Bulls’ next URC match, against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld at the end of November.

- MIKE GREENAWAY [e-mail]

Hanekom tore a hamstring tendon in the URC semifinal against the Sharks in early June, robbing him of a place in the URC final against Leinster and ruling him out of all Springbok activity for the year.

Last year, the unlucky Hanekom suffered a knee injury early in the year and would make his Test debut in the Boks’ last game of 2024, the 45-12 defeat of Wales in Cardiff. He has not played for the Boks since.

“The rehab is going well, and I started running a few weeks ago, so the return date is getting closer. I’m starting to see the silver lining,” Hanekom smiled.

The 23-year-old was speaking exclusively to Independent Media at a Pick n Pay function in Johannesburg to launch their CollectaBoks cards campaign.

“I should be playing in a month or so. Roughly, it will be the Lions game or the game after”

Hanekom admitted that he had initially been in a dark place after the hamstring injury occurred.

“In the beginning, it was very difficult to watch the Springboks,” he said.