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'We need to get clarity': Sale fear for Springboks No9 de Klerk

13 Oct 2021

(Photo by Patrick Hamilton/AFP via Getty Images)

Faf de Klerk is waiting to discover if he needs hip surgery that would rule him out of the upcoming South African European tour and leave Sale Sharks looking for temporary scrum-half cover. The soon-to-be 30-year-old half-back originally injured his hip in the second Springboks Test versus the British and Irish Lions in July and he aggravated the problem when he recently played in the Rugby Championship in Australia.

As a result, the hip has been scanned and the results are currently being examined by a specialist who will decide if surgery is needed. An operation would put de Klerk out for months and Alex Sanderson, the Sale director of rugby, is understandably hoping for a different verdict.

De Klerk played on October 2 against the All Blacks on the Gold Coast in the final round of the Championship but as it stands, the livewire scrum-half could now miss the Springboks’ November Tests against Scotland, Wales and England, as well as Gallagher Premiership and European matches for his club.

How the Springboks defeated the All Blacks

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How the Springboks defeated the All Blacks

Sanderson said: “Faf is currently undergoing assessment for his hip flexor injury which was sustained in the Lions Test and has become more severe recently, but we need to get clarity on that. There are concerns that it could be months but we need confirmation. We have to wait for the right assessments, otherwise it is scaremongering, and we have had all the scans sent over.

“They are with the consultant in London right now and we have all his previous reports. They want to see it all before they make a decision about rehab, surgery or crack on. Those are three options but we haven’t had the decision yet.

"He’s not cut from that cloth, he is almost the opposite of that"
– Why England have called on 20-year-old rookie Raffi Quirke, whose personality is different to his extroverted Sale colleague, Faf de Klerk #England #Sale #LIRvSAL #Springboks https://t.co/aZnRJOAKPc
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 23, 2021

“I am speculating as a rugby coach and it is frustrating when someone comes back injured, but surely there can’t be any coaches or organisations out there that set out to deliberately injure people. I don’t believe that is the case.” With Will Cliff also injured, it leaves Sale with just two fit number nines in the highly-rated Raffi Quirke and Gus Warr, who both scored tries in the 33-32 loss to Gloucester last Saturday.

Sanderson added: “Will has a small injury at the moment so we are down to two and that is not enough in a specialist position. There is no one of the calibre of Faf and we are jumping to conclusions here that he isn’t going to play – it might happen or it might not. We know about strength in depth when we have all the cards on the table.”

"He has had some mental issues and everyone is fully aware of that, he has been to the press about it in the past"
– Denny Solomona went 7?? months without a Sale appearance and was linked with a move, but he is now very much back in the fold ?
#Sale https://t.co/U1KeAMaL3f
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 29, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 10 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 10 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 10 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 10 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 10 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 10 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍