De Waal confirmed out for season
Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:40
Western Province flyhalf Willem De Waal has been confirmed as a long-term injury casualty, having suffered a hip joint injury to his left leg during the Currie Cup match against the Lions last weekend.
The injury is a contact injury, according to the official WP website, on De Waal's kicking leg.
A scan earlier this week confirmed that the player had suffered cartilage damage in his hip joint.
Specialist have since advised that De Waal will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Thursday to repair torn cartilage in the joint as a stabilising procedure.
He will be in a brace for six weeks, followed by approximately six weeks of rehabilitation. The Western Province medical team aim to have him back into team training in three months time.
However, the injury means that De waal will miss the remainder of the Currie Cup, which leaves WP desperately short in the flyhalf berth.
Springbok pivot Peter Grant has also undergone surgery recently on a troublesome shoulder, and will be out of action for at least six weeks.
WP have already actioned emergency cover at No.10 in the form of Joe Pietersen, who has been selected at flyhalf for the crucial Currie Cup match against the Sharks on Friday.
