A long time coming: Lood de Jager thrilled to be back in the Springbok camp

It has been a difficult journey for de Jager. A hero of the successful 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign, de Jager was set to partake in the 2023 global showpiece only for him to be ruled out of the squad at the 11th hour due to a heart condition.

Doctors eventually cleared de Jager to play and he returned to Japan League One action with the Saitama Wild Knights in December 2023. But the lock tore his rotator cuff muscle off the bone the following June. After surgery and several months of recovery, he returned to duty in Japan this January. De Jager's pedigree and recent performances earned him a call-up back to the Bok squad.

Speaking to the press this week, de Jager attributed his recovery to the more relaxed rugby season in Japan.

"In the Japan schedule, there is a little more downtime, and you can use that downtime for recovery, rehab, whatever you want," said the 32-year-old, who last wore the green and gold in July 2023.

"You've got a lot more bye weeks, a bit more rest over there.

"When I got started in February, building into the season, I had a lot of extra time to get the body ready for the back-end of the season and obviously heading into the Test season. The standard in Japan has really picked up. There are a lot of international coaches and world-class players.

"It's a different type of rugby, I think it's a bit more of a running game and a bit more of an expansive game."

Reflecting on his time on the sidelines, de Jager relished the time with his wife and two kids.

"Luckily, if you've got family and kids, they keep you busy enough so you don't overthink everything," he added.

"But I think the big thing for me was that I felt I could still contribute if I could make myself healthy, and I could get my body ready.

"I feel I could still add value, so that was my big motivation through the rehab process.

"And working hard to get myself as fit as possible to hopefully get back into the mix, and so it's great to be here again."

De Jager's return was not lost of lock partner Eben Etzebeth. The Bok behemoth was thrilled to have the 2019 gang - which includes Franco Mostert and RG Snyman - back together again.

"When I saw him , I almost jumped on him," said the double World Cup winner.

"So it's amazing to have him back, and it's great to have RG  back. I think this is the first time since 2019 that us four locks who played together are back together in the Springbok mix, which is special.

"These are guys I have walked a long road with, been through some tough times, and also some very good times. So it is great to have Lood back with us.

"I watched some of his games early on Saturday mornings and saw him performing very well in the Japanese league. He is an exceptional player, and I am happy he is back."

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