While Lood de Jager has endured a frustrating time on the sidelines, including watching the Springboks lift the Rugby World Cup for a second time from his couch, he can’t wait to cheer on Eben Etzebeth to the Bok record.
It’s been more than a year since De Jager wore the green and gold jersey after missing out on the Rugby World Cup squad due to a heart condition
He got back on the rugby field with Japan side Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, playing some good rugby, but suffered a serious rotator-cuff shoulder injury towards the end of the season which required surgery.
De Jager is only expected to be back playing late December or January, and will miss the Springboks’ end-of-year tour as a result.
But, in the meantime, he will be cheering on his good mate Etzebeth, who is set to become the most-capped Springboks player of all time this year.
The big lock can surpass Victor Matfield’s record of 127 caps if he features in all four of the Springboks’ remaining Rugby Championship matches against the All Blacks and Argentina’s Los Pumas. Etzebeth drew level with the great Bryan Habana on 124 caps in the win over the Wallabies in Perth.
De Jager showered praise on his lock partner, describing what he means for the Springboks and South Africa.
“He has a massive impact on the team. He doesn’t bring a lot of words, but he bring that work ethic and professionalism,” said De Jager.
“Off the field, how he recovers and how hard he works in the gym, it’s amazing. For any youngster coming in, there is no better examples than Eben in terms of what it means to be a Springbok.
“I really hope he breaks the record, because he deserves it. He is a champion of a man, a great team guy and a great example for others coming through.”
De Jager has found motivation while looking in from the outside during his stints on the sidelines. It’s just a case of lots of bad luck for the 66-cap veteran, but the injuries have given him a new perspective.
That perspective is currently driving him to get back in the Springboks jersey, even though he knows that the competition for places in the second row is a lot more cut throat these days.
“It was disappointing, being part of the group for a long time and building towards the World Cup. But there is nothing you can do, illness and injury is part of the job,” said De Jager.
“The positive point about it is that you see how much it means to the people. When you are with the Boks, you are in a bit of a bubble.
But being at home during that World Cup, going to the supermarket and just seeing what it means to people … That gave me extra motivation to still be part of the Boks in the future and adding value to the brand and what it means to people in South Africa.“