Luckless Springbok rubbishes retirement call claims: ‘I’m feeling a lot better’
Springboks and Bordeaux forward Jean-Luc du Preez.
Springboks back-rower Jean-Luc du Preez has rubbished claims that he is considering retirement after a string of concussions.
The 30-year-old’s first season at Union Bordeaux-Bègles, after making the switch from PREM Rugby club Sale Sharks, has been heavily impacted by concussions, limiting him to just three appearances for his new team.
Concerns over Jean-Luc du Preez’s future
This has sparked concerns around his future and whether he will return to the pitch, particularly after the French club president’s comments in the media.
“I have serious doubts, but there are medical experts for that… If it were my son, I would ask him to stop because I’m very scared,” Laurent Marti told French publication Sud Ouest earlier this month.
“It would be a huge loss for us because he’s exactly the kind of player who would have done us a lot of good.”
Marti’s comments fuelled the rumours around Du Preez’s future, which led to a report by Midi Olympique that stated the Springbok will be forced into hanging up his boots, with Bordeaux already setting their sights on possible replacements.
Speaking to the media last week, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus made no mention of Du Preez possibly retiring; instead, he said that the loose forward would not be available for Test selection this year but would be back in the mix in 2027.
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He revealed as much in a detailed injury report before the start of the Boks’ season. “Kwagga Smith is out until next year, so is Jean-Luc du Preez,” he said while rattling off the injuries.
The 14-Test Springbok has now addressed the reports in an interview with Afrikaans publication Rapport.
“I hope to be ready next season,” he said. “We are off for six, then we start pre-season preparations, and I hope to be ready for the pre-season which starts at the end of July.”
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The publication adds that Du Preez has seen several doctors and specialists about the repeated concussions, and they recommended that he should rest at the start of pre-season. Du Preez insists that he hasn’t made a decision to retire and is starting to feel improvements.
“My symptoms have improved a lot over the last few months,” he said.
“I’m feeling a lot better at the moment, and I just thought it was best not to take any chances this past season. I hope to be back on the field as soon as possible; this year has been very challenging for me – I have never played so little rugby in a season.
“So for me, I just want to get back on the field and be healthy and happy.”
Jean-Luc du Preez: ‘I considered giving up on the Springboks’
Luckless run
While being a consistent performer for Sale during his time in England, Du Preez has struggled to break into the Springboks squad, narrowly missing out on selection time and time again. He was recalled last year and started South Africa’s clash with the Barbarians in July, but his involvement in the match was cut short through injury.
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He subsequently returned to England for the birth of his child, and illness denied him the opportunity to earn his first Test cap for the Springboks since 2023 and his first start since 2018, when he was a late withdrawal from the matchday 23 to play against Australia in Cape Town.
Du Preez was set to feature in the Springboks’ clash with the All Blacks at Eden Park but sustained a significant knee injury which curtailed any further involvement with the Test team last year. Despite his lack of game time this season, the versatile forward was invited to attend the Springboks’ virtual alignment camp for overseas-based players, meaning that he remains on Erasmus’ radar.