Why Lood’s wretched luck is a double blow to the Bulls
The influential Bok lock not only erodes national depth at lock, but also emphasises how relatively little the Bulls will benefit from Eli Snyman's chance to shine.
Lood de Jager. Photo: Gallo Images.
The Bulls, and Springbok rugby, suffered an enormous blow with the news that lock Lood de Jager has to have surgery on his shoulder and will be out of action for at least four months.
The Bulls captain injured his shoulder against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires and was expected to be out of action for just a couple of weeks.
But De Jager went to Cape Town on Monday to see another specialist and it was decided he needs an operation.
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De Jager missed most of last year’s Super Rugby campaign due to a torn pectoral muscle, but during the time he has had on the field both this year and last, he has shown he would have been a vital part of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ World Cup plans.
The 26-year-old now faces an uphill task to make the tournament that starts on September 20.
De Jager and imports Schalk Brits and Duane Vermeulen have had an important influence on the young members of the Bulls pack.
One of those to benefit has been lock Eli Snyman, who replaced De Jager against the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend, and was impressive in the 30-12 hammering.
Eli Snyman of the Bulls during the during the Super Rugby, #SuperHeroSunday match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at Cape Town Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)
“Playing among all that experience, you feel comfortable, you know they’ve got your back. They just provide a whole different calmness and it’s the same with Lood, he has taught us so much.
“Coach Pote just said to me ‘What could go wrong?’ He told me to go out, not worry and make the calls with confidence. The Lions having three short loose-forwards made it a bit easier in terms of their competing. It was a massive win for us because everyone knows playing at Ellis Park is not easy, especially against a very good Lions team,” Snyman, who made his first Super Rugby start, said at Loftus Versfeld.
Snyman’s performance, and his excellent combination with impressive second-row partner Jason Jenkins, provided an image of what the Bulls team could be like in the future, but unfortunately Snyman will be joining Italian club Treviso on a two-year deal at the end of this Super Rugby campaign.
The offer was accepted late last year when the 23-year-old had no inkling Human, his former Tuks coach who backs him to the hilt, would be in charge of the Bulls this year.
“I signed when things were not looking good here, it seemed to be my best opportunity and gave me security, because I was going to be playing Varsity rugby this year and wasn’t expecting to be chosen for the Super Rugby squad. Things change quickly, but at the time I did not know Pote Human would be Bulls coach, there was a lot of uncertainty.
“As a coach, Pote has played a huge role in my life, from Tuks till now. I’ve come a long way with him, he’s a great guy and coach, and from my first year in the Varsity Cup he’s really backed me and believes in me. What more could any player ask for,” Snyman said.
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