Baby steps for burly Bismarck
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:39
Baby steps: Bismarck du Plessis. (c) Gallo
The Springbok flame still burns fiercely inside Bismarck du Plessis, but the burly hooker is not about to rush back into Test rugby.
Speaking to rugby365.com about the terrifying neck injury and subsequent surgery, the 26-year-old is taking baby steps in order to regain his best form and, ultimately, a spot in the national team.
Du Plessis had a strong Super 14 season before suffering the neck injury that forced him out of the mid-year internationals and the Tri-Nations.
The tough front row forward was pulled out of the Sharks' encounter against the Bulls on May 1, after suffering some discomfort at training, and he then underwent surgery to rectify the problem.
He went to see the doctor on the Thursday, before the Bulls match, and had an MRI Scan. He was called back later that day with the frightening news - he required surgery... (Because the vertebrae between C6 and C7 was pushing into his spinal cord and that resulted in a loss of power in his right arm.)
The 32-Test veteran went under the knife on the Friday morning.
Du Plessis's work ethic and good health have aided his fast recovery and he started in the Sharks' impressive 27-16 Currie Cup win over Western Province last week - having played off the bench in the previous two rounds.
Whilst Du Plessis joined up with the Boks at a training camp in Johannesburg a fortnight ago, he plans to slowly work his way back to top form in the Currie Cup.
"That Thursday, 15 weeks ago, it was all like a haze - when I heard that I wouldn't be playing against the Bulls and instead would undergo surgery," Du Plessis told rugby365.com, reflecting on the injury.
"After the surgery [Sharks Biokineticist] Jimmy Wright and I started training together three times a day, for six days a week," Du Plessis said, adding: "He also helped me regain my strength."
While many players would perhaps have had mental scars after such a serious injury, Du Plessis showed last week in the top-of-the-table Currie Cup clash against Province that he remained as physical as ever and would not take a step back for anyone... or anything.
"Rugby is a physical game - it is either you or the opponent that will win the contest," said Du Plessis, when asked about the possibility of any lingering post-surgery fears.
"Yes, the first contact was tough, but the way Plum [Sharks coach John Plumtree] and Jimmy [Wright] eased me back, playing me a bit longer in each game, I managed to regain my confidence."
Despite having survived a big test on the Currie Cup stage - an encounter with the physically imposing WP pack - Du Plessis feels he still needs game time on the domestic scene.
"Yes, it remains any player's dream to play for the Springboks, mine also," Du Plessis said. "However, I first want to start playing top-class rugby for the Sharks, improve my game and will then take it from there."
He admitted that the form of the table-topping Sharks - a position they secured by beating Province last week - would also help his growth and form.
"It is always easier to play in a winning team and that is why I am enjoying playing here [at the Sharks]," the hooker added.
And the traditions of Currie Cup rugby, without doubt one of the most hotly-contested domestic championships in the world, also makes it easier to keep going and ensure he stays sharp for when the next Bok call-up comes.
"Currie Cup rugby is uniquely South African and as a young boy you remember the big games that have given the tournament its rich traditions."
However, as Du Plessis readily admits, there is a step up from the domestic scene to international stage.
"Every step you take up means the space and time is so much more limited," he said. "However, once all the provinces have their full teams back [with the Boks available] the standards in the Currie Cup are very high."
The Sharks play Griquas - the only team to have beaten them thus far this season - in Durban on Friday and Du Plessis is expecting another "tough day at the office".
"Griquas are always a tough team to beat and they have been together [as a team] for the past three/four years.
"Their combinations are working well and they have a number of match-winners in their team," Du Plessis said.
Having made his Bok debut against Australia in Sydney in 2007, Du Plessis played the last of his 32 Tests against Ireland in Dublin in November 2009.
His three Currie Cup appearances for the Sharks this year have taken his total in the domestic competition to 28 - with 10 tries.
He has played in 66 Super Rugby matches for the Sharks, 10 this year before he was injured, scoring seven tries in the process.
By Jan de Koning
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
