Kings prop ruled out for rest of season
POWERFUL Southern Kings prop Schalk “Hond” van der Merwe has been ruled out of the rest of the Super Rugby season by a serious shoulder injury.
The 26-year-old will be undergoing surgery today on the injury he sustained during the Kings’ defeat against the Lions in Johannesburg two weeks ago.
After a break, the Kings returned to training yesterday to prepare for their final three matches of the season.
Their next assignment is a tough trip to Buenos Aires, where they will face the Jaguares on July 1.
Veteran wing Alshaun Bock is being monitored closely by the Kings’s medical staff after surgery on his biceps which were injured during the Lions clash. Utility back Ntabeni Dukisa, who injured his shoulder against the Lions, is undergoing rehabilitation.
The Kings, however, are happy to have captain Schalk Ferreira (biceps) and scrumhalf Rudi van Rooyen back to full fitness.
Ferreira sustained the injury when the Kings narrowly lost to the Sharks in their fourth game of the season in March.
Flyhalf Lionel Cronje took over the captaincy after Ferreira was sidelined.
Fullback Masixole Banda, who missed the Kings’ previous two matches, has made good progress with the hamstring injury that kept him on the sidelines.
Other good news for the Kings is that hooker Michael Willemse has returned to full training after recovering from an appendix operation.
Kings head coach Deon Davids says it is vital the Kings get their planning spot on so that they return refreshed and energised for their remaining three games.
That was the instruction Davids relayed to his players and conditioning staff as they contemplate ending their campaign on a high note.
After a tough away match against the Jaguares, the Kings return to South Africa for games against the Bulls (Pretoria) and Cheetahs (Port Elizabeth).
“It was important for us to have a complete break and recover and get away from rugby and then we have two weeks to prepare for the Jaguares game,” Davids said.
“We go to Argentina and then, when we come back, have to play the Bulls at Loftus before ending off against the Cheetahs.
“So it will be a tough time for us when we come back from the break and we really have to ensure that, from a conditioning and recovery point of view, we are spot on with our planning and preparation.”
It was important for us to have a complete break and recover and get away from rugby