Taute looks set for big comeback IMAGE 1 of 1
Jaco Taute is on his way back.
03 September 2012 | RUDOLPH JACOBS
JOHANNESBURG - In what could turn out to be a huge boost for both the Springboks and the Lions, it was confirmed yesterday that the 21-year-old Taute has recovered from his battle scars.
The Lions camp under the caretaker coaching of Johan Ackermann, will test Taute in full contact today and if he comes through it, will be considered for a place on the bench in the Absa Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
Taute has been out of action since the Lions’ Super Rugby loss of 11-17 in Perth on May 26, contesting a breakdown ball against the Force which resulted in torn shoulder ligaments. After surgery, his recovery time was put at approximately four months.
The talented back who can play fullback and wing but starred for the Lions in midfield after their string of injuries, was highly rated by Bok coach Heyneke Meyer and a strong candidate for the England series before the injury struck.
The Lions received further good news on flank Jaco Kriel and makeshift lock Josh Strauss after both had to leave the field in the 42-32 defeat to Griquas last weekend.
But it was confirmed yesterday that both had been tested for possible concussion and cleared for inclusion in the side to take on the Blue Bulls.
n The Cheetahs have suffered the huge setback with flank Frans Viljoen breaking his arm in the 32-34 defeat by the Sharks in Durban.
Viljoen could be out for the rest of the season, but the Cheetahs could welcome back Bok flanker Heinrich Brussow who has been out for the past three weeks with a knee injury in this weekend’s home match against Western Province.
n Province could name Nic Groom at scrumhalf and Damian de Allende at wing for the Bloemfontein encounter.
With No 9 Dewaldt Duvenhage ruled out for the rest of the campaign after breaking a leg in his 66th Currie Cup game, and wing Ederies Arendse injuring his shoulder and out for 10 weeks, coach Allister Coetzee will be forced to change the winning combination of last weekend’s Blue Bulls game.
There is also a possible return on the cards for fullback Joe Pietersen who has been forced to sit on the sidelines with a wrist injury the past two weeks.
- The kick-off times for Saturday’s three matches are: Griquas v Sharks at 3pm in Kimberley; Blue Bulls versus Lions at 5.05pm at Loftus; and, Cheetahs versus Western Province at 7.10pm from Bloemfontein on SuperSport 1.
