Du Preez 'stable' in hospital but requires further surgery

Worcester Warriors number eight Cornell du Preez is understood to have undergone surgery on his throat.

Du Preez injured his throat in his side’s loss to Wasps yesterrday.

The club described his condition as ‘stable’ but said that former Scotland backrow will require further surgery.

In a statement on Twitter Worcester Warriors stated: “Cornell du Preez is stable and resting in hospital. Further surgery will be required to his larynx. The Club is providing full support for Cornell and his family and wishes him a speedy recovery.”

UPDATE: Cornell du Preez is stable and resting in hospital. Further surgery will be required to his larynx. The Club is providing full support for Cornell and his family and wishes him a speedy recovery.

— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) September 2, 2018

Yesterday Solomons told the Worcester News: “I don’t know what happened. I haven’t seen it, but something must have hit him. He is not going to fracture his larynx (without being hit).

“It’s major and that’s the way I understand it. He has gone to hospital.”

Solomons said he was concerned for the player.

Former Scottish international Jim Hamilton was among those to send best wishes to the South African born looseforward.

Thoughts are with Cornell du Preez tonight of @WorcsWarriors sounds like a nasty injury. Here is hoping for a speedy and full recovery.

— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) September 2, 2018

Du Preez joined Worcester this summer, a like for like replacement with the departing David Denton.

The 6’4, 109kg backrow was reunited with Solomons having so far made six appearances for Scotland, with his most recent in this season’s NatWest 6 Nations against Wales.

The back row made the move to Edinburgh Rugby in 2013 where he has made more than 100 appearances, scoring 13 tries, and also helped the Scottish side to the European Challenge Cup final in 2015 and also the quarter-finals of the competition last season.

Du Preez previously played for Eastern Province Kings in South Africa where he made 23 appearances and crossed for 11 tries, as well as playing 16 times for the Kings in the 2013 Super Rugby season.

Born in Port Elizabeth, Du Preez also represented the South Africa Under 20s side in 2011.