Coenie likely to miss RWC flight

Springboks Coenie likely to miss RWC flight 2015-06-30 12:12SHARE THISCoenie Oosthuizen (Gallo Images)Related Links

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Cape Town - Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen is likely to miss this year’s Rugby World Cup after undergoing neck surgery last week.

Oosthuizen was named in Heyneke Meyer’s 49-man Springbok squad last Saturday, but did not join the squad in Johannesburg this week.

Good news though for Oosthuizen is that the injury should not spell the end of his rugby career.

“At the end of the day, a player needs to take care of his own interests,” Bok team doctor Craig Roberts toldNetwerk24.

“Coenie visited a very competent specialist and we decided he should make sure of his future in rugby. He will probably give up his dream to play in the World Cup this year, but at least he’ll be able to keep on playing.”

Oosthuizen, 26, has represented the Springboks in 21 Tests since making his debut in 2012.

Another neck  surgery...I'm amazed he has lasted this long with his obvious neck issues, playing prop.

Me too. I dont think his neck is healing properly as it is allways getting injured. 
The Sharks have signed a 4 year deal with him which is a big investment for a player  with re-ocurrant neck problems. 

 SB
I had a neck fusion operation in 2003 and the specialist who did the operation was the best specialist in the field in SA - he was even invited to lecture at Yale, which delayed my operation by a few weeks.
He told me that he was dealing with the case of Van Biljon as well and he is always worried about the way Van Biljon played after his operation.   However, what happened in the Van Biljon case was significant - after a neck operation he faded out of the rugby scene - he never really regained the form he had before the operation.
That brings me to Coenie - Mozart is correct in this case - I think that Coenie already survived a series of neck operations by the same specialist who dealt with Van Biljon and he lasted longer than expected.   Matter of fact I think he is on the way out and I would be surprised if he returns to play rugby again.   The Sharks contract would have a suitable clause as to permanent injury and would be surprised if he indeed play games for the Sharks.

  

@clevermike- what would be the point of signing a contract if it had a clause in it that does not give injury pay- especially in a sport with so many injuries. 
I would imagine that all of the players have 3rd party insurance from the Club, and the insurers would re-imburse the club for the cost of the players salary for the  duration of the contract.
In his case- he may be deemed high risk though. 

 SB
An injury clause is merely that - it does not cater for total withdrawal from rugby, as may be likely in the case of Coenie.  The same applies to insurance so I am not sure Coenie would ever play rugby again.   

 Real props dont have necks ,look at Os Du Ront and the Franks brothers !

 Wardad
Ther Franks brothers real props - spare me that one.  

 Real enough to beat you guys ....hehehehehe.....Not made off old ladies teary tissues either ! At least Ben Franks wont be sitting in front of the telly watching the final eh ?

 Useless scrummagers and worse - would not have those two in any SA franchise team as props. 

 You mean those teams all at home having a wee holiday while Ben franks plays in a final ?Dont think they would swap that winners grin to be a spectator !