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Cape Town - It has been a long road to recovery for Western Province flank Rynhardt Elstadt.
The 25-year-old, who has been at the union since 2010, suffered a horrific injury on Super Rugby duty for the Stormers against the Blues back in February when he broke his fibula.
But the former Baby Bok is now in line to return for Western Province in time for the Currie Cup – a boost for the Cape side given their exodus of forwards for the international season.
"He’ll be ready for the start of the Currie Cup," Western Province coach John Dobson said this week.
The Western Province boss made reference to a pre-season friendly against SWD in January in which Elstadt demonstrated his worth in a 34-3 win.
"I don’t know of you guys saw that pre-season game against SWD in George. I thought he was one of the best loose forward performances I’ve seen in years," said Dobson.
"He’s got such an engine on him."
Dobson added that he felt no pressure to play Elstadt in either of WP’s pre-season friendlies against the Pumas in Franschhoek on July 18 or against the Kings in Port Elizabeth on July 25.
"I’m not too worried about him playing the friendlies," said Dobson.
"He’s got a massive contribution to Stormers rugby over the next couple of years; I think that’s a special rugby player. He’s got an amazing work ethic and physicality."
Western Province begin their Currie Cup campaign on August 7 away against the winners of the ongoing Currie Cup qualifying competition.
