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Ackermann: Redelinghuys will make the right call

Lions coach Johan Ackermann told rugby365 Redelinghuys is "working hard" on his rehabilitation, but there is no timeframe attached to his recovery.

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Doctors had initial fears that the 27-year-old tighthead prop would never walk again, after he suffered a neck fracture during the Currie Cup semifinal loss to the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Redelinghuys was one of the standout performers in South African in recent seasons.

His performances for the Lions during Super Rugby and the Currie Cup earned him a Springbok call-up.

He made his Test debut in 2014 and made seven more appearances got the Boks.Ackermann: Redelinghuys will make the right call

However, nightmare struck when he suffered a neck fracture in Bloemfontein in October.

The Lions have two other long-term injuries – Bok wing Ruan Combrinck and loosehead prop Dylan Smith.

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Combrinck, who underwent surgery after he sustained a fracture in his shoulder joint in the Springboks' 13-27 loss to Wales in Cardiff in November, is making good progress and his recovery is on track.

"However, there is no shortcut and it is unlikely we will see him back on the field before April," Ackermann told rugby365.

Smith, who underwent shoulder surgery after being injured in the latter stages of the Currie Cup last year, is also doing well with his rehabilitation. His date of return is set for early in March.

"They are all on track [with their rehabilitation], but all those are major injuries," the coach said, adding: "We can't rush their rehabilitation."

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The spotlight will shine on tighthead, in the absence of Redelinghuys, who has been a mainstay in the Lions team.

"It is obviously a serious injury, so there is no expectations from us to see him back on the field soon," Ackermann said.

"Only time will tell [if or when he will be back on the field]," he said, adding that the decision on whether he will he play again will be a medical decision.

"If you ask him, or you ask us, we believe, as he does, that he will be able to play again. That is just how passionate he is [about the game].

"However, he will have to make a medical call.

"Julian will also become a father in February.

"He will gather all the necessary info from the doctors and then make a call. The big question is, will his neck be able to withstand another hit like that?

"Then, also, he has to regain all his strength first, before he can even consider making such a call.

"If there are any risks involved [in him returning to the playing field], it will make that call that much more difficult.

"It is too soon to suggest he will never play again, but Julian is an intelligent and responsible person and he will know – in a few months – where he is physically. He will know if he can reach they same standards he set before.

"We don't want to make an emotional decision or say he can never play again. He will, once he has all the medical information and knows the risks, make the right call."

Ackermann said that while the Bok's absence will leave a hole, they have sufficient cover.

"Julian is a leader [in the team] and very experienced," he said, adding: "You have to pay your 'school fees' to play Super Rugby.

"It would have been his fourth Super Rugby season and he has proven himself at the highest level.

"Yes, tighthead is a specialist position. However, we have a group of young players.

"Just look how [22-year-old loosehead prop] Dylan Smith came through the ranks last year.

"We have players like Justin Ackermann, Pieter Scholtz, Jacques van Rooyen, Johannes Jonker [recruited from the Border Bulldogs]. We have several players fighting very hard for that No.3 jersey.

"They have to put their hand up and prove they can, along with Ruan Dreyer, fill that spot.

"We have five players who can play in that position and hopefully they will all prove to be worthy."

By Jan de Koning

@kings365ed

@rugby365com

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