Bok lock Lood de Jager sidelined again as hip surgery ends season in Japan

The second-row forward will miss the remainder of the Japanese League One season, with his club, the Saitama Wild Knights, confirming the news on Friday.

While the Japanese outfit did not provide a timeline for De Jager's return, hip surgery typically requires a lengthy rehabilitation period, meaning the 33-year-old could still be sidelined when the international season resumes in July.

The latest setback is another chapter in what has been a difficult journey for De Jager. A hero of South Africa's triumphant 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign, the towering lock was set to feature at the 2023 global showpiece before being ruled out at the 11th hour due to a heart condition.

After being medically cleared, De Jager returned to Japan League One action with the Wild Knights in December 2023, only to suffer a further blow when he tore his rotator cuff muscle off the bone in June of 2024. Surgery and several months of rehabilitation followed, before he finally returned to action in January 2025. His pedigree and performances were enough to earn him a recall to the Springbok squad.

De Jager's comeback was then cut short when he suffered a four-match suspension after receiving a red card for a high tackle on Thomas Ramos during the Springboks' 32-17 win over France in Paris last November.

The World Cup-winning lock has confirmed that he will return to South Africa to complete his rehabilitation.

"I was really looking forward to the season and contributing to a successful campaign for the Wild Knights," De Jager said.

"Unfortunately, I sustained a hip injury during international duty with the Springboks.

"Hip surgery was required, and I will be conducting my rehab in South Africa."

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