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Cape Town - Stormers flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis is confident that his injury woes are behind him.
After suffering a groin injury against the Jaguares in March 2017, Du Plessis spent the best part of the last year on the sidelines.
At first, the injury appeared minor, but it got progressively worse and Du Plessis was eventually forced to undergo a hip operation.
However, the problem persisted which forced the 23-year-old to seek help from a well-known American specialist Bill Meyers in December last year.
Du Plessis told Netwerk24 that he’s “100% confident” that the injury has healed.
“It’s the first time in a long time that my body has felt like this,” he said.
Du Plessis, who is the son of legendary former Springbok wing Carel, made his return to rugby in a friendly match for Western Province against Griquas last month, before the injury curse struck again - this time a rib injury.
The injury is however not serious and he is expected to play for Western Province in their SuperSport Challenge match against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth on April 21.
His progress will be eagerly followed by Stormers coach Robbie Fleck, who would like to add depth to his flyhalf stocks.
Damian Willemse has been the Stormers’ first-choice flyhalf in 2018, but Fleck has not shown much faith in his understudy George Whitehead.
Willemse cannot be expected to play every game this season so the addition of Du Plessis would be welcomed by the under-fire coach.
The Stormers are struggling in Super Rugby this year, having won just three of eight games.
They are currently third in the South African Conference - 12 points behind the first-placed Lions.
