Talented Springbok loose forward Elrigh Louw suffered a ‘horror injury’ in a recent URC game for the Bulls, having sustained what looked to be a serious knee injury, while it later emerged that he had also broken his left leg.

Louw had to wait for a couple of weeks before undergoing an operation due to swelling around his injury area, but he was finally able to go under the knife in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

This crucial surgery was conducted by Dr Bradley Gelbart, who successfully operated on the knee of Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx, who suffered a serious injury at training during the 2023 World Cup.

It now remains to be seen what the recovery timeline might be, but Louw took to Instagram after surgery to optimistically state: “The comeback is always stronger than the setback”.

THE INJURY TO ELRIGH LOUW IS LIKELY TO KEEP HIM OUT OF ACTION UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR

Bulls boss Jake White has insisted that they will not rush Louw back after such a major injury.

“The specialist is very confident that he can sort it out and that is good news,” White said.

“It’s a massive operation, but I spoke to (Bulls hooker) Akker van der Merwe, and he went through the same thing.

“In fact, his was worse and he had also broken his leg, but Akker is still playing and running, so there’s no reason why, with today’s medical advances, that they can’t get Louw back to normal.

“We won’t rush it, and we’ll give him as much time as he needs, and he’s done everything possible to get the swelling down.

“They don’t want too much swelling and blood around the area so that they can operate properly.”

Springbok players who are currently injured

  • Manie Libbok (leg injury)
  • Damian Willemse (groin injury)
  • Steven Kitshoff (neck injury)
  • Pieter-Steph du Toit (shoulder injury)
  • Salmaan Moerat (knee injury)
  • Jan-Hendrik Wessels (ankle injury)
  • Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (clavicle)
  • Johan Goosen (knee injury)
  • Ruan Nortje (knee injury)
  • Aphelele Fassi (knee/ankle injury)
  • Eben Etzebeth (concussion)
  • Andre Esterhuizen (knee injury)
  • Elrigh Louw (knee injury)

Springboks’ 2025 Test schedule:

5 July: vs Italy, Venue TBC
12 July: vs Italy, TBC
19 July: vs Georgia, TBC
16 August: vs Australia, TBC
23 August: vs Australia, TBC
6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland
13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington
27 September: vs Argentina, TBC
4 October: vs Argentina, London
1 November: vs Wales, Cardiff
8 November: vs France, Paris
15 November: vs Italy, TBC
22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin

ARE THERE ANY OTHER INJURED BOKS WE MAY HAVE MISSED IN OUR LIST?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/springbok-star-shares-message-after-big-surgery/