Goosen back this weekend

Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen may make a surprise appearance in the Absa Currie Cup this weekend if he passes a fitness test on Thursday.

Goosen, who tore knee ligaments in the Vodacom Super Rugby season and then had to undergo an operation for a burst appendix, was thought to be out of action until the end of the year.

But Toyota Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske confirmed to supersport.com that Goosen had run with the side this week and if he does pass a fitness test, he will be on the bench this weekend to play for 20 minutes.

The Cheetahs are also waiting for blood tests from the appendectomy to clear the flyhalf, but the fitness test looks to be the only obstacle in his path at the moment to returning to the field.

Goosen needs to get onto the field if he is to play for the Cheetahs in the semifinals and final of the Currie Cup, and regain some match fitness before a possible return to the Springboks for the November tour.

While Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has not indicated if he will be using Goosen, the flyhalf is rated highly and was part of Meyer’s plans for the future before he got injured.

If Goosen fails the fitness test, he won’t be eligible for selection for the Cheetahs for the playoff rounds, and then will continue his rehabilitation until the end of the current season before a possible return to the Boks.

Drotske kept his cards close to his chest on Wednesday, not naming Goosen in the match 22 for their clash against the Vodacom Blue Bulls this weekend, but supersport.com understands that if Goosen is fit, he will replace Piet Lindeque on the bench.

The Cheetahs welcomed back their Springboks Coenie Oosthuizen and Adriaan Strauss for the clash, as well as wayward Bok Trevor Nyakane, flanker Phillip van der Walt and winger Ryno Benjamin for the game.

The front row of Springboks replaces Rossouw de Klerk, Hercu Liebenberg and Schalk van der Merwe. Benjamin replaces Lindeque on the wing while Van der Walt is in the place of Oupa Mohoje in the loose trio.

TOYOTA FREE STATE CHEETAHS: Hennie Daniller, Rayno Benjamin, Johann Sadie, Robert Ebersohn, Raymond Rhule, Elgar Watts, Sarel Pretorius, Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagné, Boom Prinsloo, Lood de Jager, Francois Uys, Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen.

Replacements

Sharkbok

I am not sure about Goosen though.  They nowadays use a laser to remove appendix - and there is no open wound and no pain afterwards.   I had my gall bladder removed that way.   My doctor warned me not to do gym exercises for a month afterwards.   So - can he play so soon after the op. 

I thought he would be of for three weeks - but If my memory serve me right the op was done last Monday- so by Saturday it would only be 12 days.   Hope they get approval from he specialist before he plays - otherwise there could be complications.

Anyway it is excellent news that he would be back soon and I hope he does very well - we need a proper flyhalf desperately.

kingcorn

Maybe Meyer had a hand in this one - and want to get Goosen some game time - so as to justify his selection for the EOYI squad.   That is because Morne really made far too many mistakes in the Ellis Park test and Meyer would like to see how Goosen performs.

Insofar as conditioning is concerned - I think that the situation is not as easy as it may seem.   My friend - the father of Frans Malherbe told me that his son was constantly in the gym with his foot injury - and did exercises to strengthen his upper body - because of his ankle injury he could not do any leg exercises.  Matter of fact his father told me that Frans upper body is now stronger than it ever was before.   His leg exercises was left for the last six weeks of his injury lay off.   Basically it means that at this stage he is in top physical form - better than he ever was before he injury.

I doubt not the case is the same with Goosen.   He would be on a special programme to make sure he is physically up to standard before he returns to play again.   What worried me is the short lay off after the operation - but maybe that is also due to s olid muscle strength of his upper body.   Basically if the latter is not s problem - the guy needs game time - so as to get him into the EOYT squad.  

kingcorn

Maybe Meyer had a hand in this one - and want to get Goosen some game time - so as to justify his selection for the EOYI squad.   That is because Morne really made far too many mistakes in the Ellis Park test and Meyer would like to see how Goosen performs.

Insofar as conditioning is concerned - I think that the situation is not as easy as it may seem.   My friend - the father of Frans Malherbe told me that his son was constantly in the gym with his foot injury - and did exercises to strengthen his upper body - because of his ankle injury he could not do any leg exercises.  Matter of fact his father told me that Frans upper body is now stronger than it ever was before.   His leg exercises was left for the last six weeks of his injury lay off.   Basically it means that at this stage he is in top physical form - better than he ever was before he injury.

I doubt not the case is the same with Goosen.   He would be on a special programme to make sure he is physically up to standard before he returns to play again.   What worried me is the short lay off after the operation - but maybe that is also due to s olid muscle strength of his upper body.   Basically if the latter is not s problem - the guy needs game time - so as to get him into the EOYT squad.