Spies remains on the sidelines
Talented Springbok loose forward Pierre Spies will remain on the sidelines for a while longer. It has been confirmed that the 22-year-old star won't return to the playing field before March.
Talented Springbok loose forward Pierre Spies will remain on the sidelines for a while longer. It has been confirmed that the 22-year-old star won't return to the playing field before March.
Bulls team doctor Tommie Smook said on Monday that he is “satisfied” with Spies' recovery process, following the lung condition which ruled the burly loose forward out of the World Cup last year.
Spies was scheduled to undergo tests last week to confirm his date of return, but it has since been revealed that he will be “eased back”.
According to Smook, if everything goes according to plan, Spies will “gradually” start to take part in contact sessions at the end of the month.
Smook said no chances will be taken with his health and Spies will not be involved in any matches in February.
An approximate date for Spies' return is expected at the end of February.
Spies, who made his Bok debut in the 0-49 loss to Australia in Brisbane in 2006, has played nine Tests – the last also against the Wallabies, at Newlands last year.
He was pulled out of the World Cup squad last year when he became ill at a pre-tournament training camp and tests revealed he had pulmonary embolisms (bleeding on the lungs).
The Springbok medical team then ruled Spies unfit for any contact sports. The findings of the Bok medical staff were referred to two lung specialists, who confirmed the original findings.
However, lung specialists of the University of Pretoria's medical school became involved at the request of the Spies family and they challenged the findings. Another medical expert then confirmed the original findings and Spies was officially dropped from the World Cup squad.
He has been undergoing treatment since August last year.
Spies was expected to see a specialist before the end of January, but his appointment was rescheduled for last week.
It has not been confirmed if he did indeed undergo the latest tests, but Monday's development is another setback for the young player.
* Meanwhile there was some good news for the Bulls, with prop Rayno Gerber (Achilles) and wing Bryan Habana (rib) both cleared to play in the opening round of the Super 14 competition against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
However, wing Akona Ndungane will not make the trip. Ndungane's stress fracture has healed properly, but he will not be pushed and will be assessed on a week to week basis.
Veteran lock Bakkies Botha (ankle) and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle are both in the last phase of their rehabilitation and are expected to be back on the field in the near future.
They will, however, not play against the Stormers.
Botha is currently in ongoing talks with the Bulls management, after he requested to be released from his contract – which runs till 2011 – to join French Second Division outfit Toulon.
The Bulls management has so far refused to put a timeframe on when the matter will be finalised.