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Bloemfontein – The disappointment is huge, but Springbok flanker Heinrich Brüssow now finally has time for hunting and fishing.

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Free Staters and rugby supporters across South Africa were all shattered with the news that the Cheetahs star will not play rugby again this year. However, Brüssow is getting a well-deserved break.

Volksblad spoke to the rugby hero on Monday before his operation at the Life Rosepark Hospital.

He said the siren had already sounded when he tore ligaments in his left knee against the Hurricanes. There had not even been contact.

“My leg just gave in.”

Brüssow only heard on Sunday that he will be out for a lengthy period.

If everything “goes very well”, Brüssow may be back by the end of the Currie Cup. If not, he will be sidelined until the start of next year’s Super 15.

While he is disappointed, he said that “it happens and is part of the job”.

Brüssow will now work “dutifully” on his rehabilitation and do the things he was not able to for the past five years.

He does not expect his absence from the Cheetahs pack to have a major influence.

“There is a lot of depth in the team.”

Brüssow believed that with star loose forwards such as Ashley Johnson, Hendro Scholtz, Kabamba Floors and Frans Viljoen, the Cheetahs needn’t worry.

He was in the process of adapting to the stricter interpretation of the laws.

Critics believed that it would make him less effective, but he has been outstanding over the past two weeks.

“It is difficult. Everyone has to get used to the new law, but the guys will get used to it,” he said.

Brüssow has previously been sidelined for a lengthy period.

He tore a hamstring when he was a matric pupil at Grey College and was out for between six and eight months.

“It’s part of the job,” he said.