Coenie delighted he’s back in action
HE HAS SUFFERED MORE THAN HIS FAIR SHARE
Coenie Oosthuizen has come through so many injury crises in his career that he could probably become a counsellor helping rugby players deal with enforced absences from the game, but in typical tight-forward style he says smashing into opposition rugby players is the best therapy.
The Springbok prop will make just his second appearance in a match this year when the Sharks meet Western Province in a titanic Currie Cup clash at Newlands today, and his joy at returning to action could clearly be seen in last weekend’s match against the Golden Lions. Oosthuizen seriously injured his knee last November playing for the Springboks against Ireland.
“To just be training for 10 months was mind-blowing, so irritating and frustrating. When you’re playing, at least you can let your frustrations out by running into something every game. But it’s most important that you keep your mind busy because you miss the game so much.
“I was so nervous getting back on to the field, until you make that first hit, you don’t want to think about your knee, but it all went fine and then I didn’t think about it after the first tackle. It is so much fun starting fresh again, it’s almost like starting to play provincial rugby again,” Oosthuizen said.
After requiring surgery for a serious neck injury, Oosthuizen ended a two-year absence from international rugby last year, but still suffered a litany of injuries, so much so that he is pretty philosophical about them.
“I broke my rib in the Rugby Championship against Argentina last year, the cartilage on both sides, which was quite painful and I sat a week out. Then against Australia, in the last 10 minutes, I broke my arm. Everyone said I was being so courageous playing on, but I honestly didn’t know I had broken it! I sat out six weeks.
“My first game back, in the first two minutes against Ireland, I received the ball and went over on my knee, it clicked twice and I knew something was off. I’ve been through it all and come back every time and I know how to get through it. But it is still obviously frustrating,” Oosthuizen added.
The great start the Sharks have made to their Currie Cup campaign – an unbeaten four-match run – means Oosthuizen has also not just been dunked into the deep end on his comeback.
“It’s been easier coming back into a winning team, but there’s always pressure to bring your best. It will take an enormous effort to keep our unbeaten record because Western Province are a phenomenal team and also unbeaten. But we’ve done our prep 100% and given them the respect they deserve,” Oosthuizen said.