Bok veteran Deon Fourie gives thumbs up after surgery, vows to make comeback

The Stormers stalwart has had a torrid time with injury of late. Fourie suffered a serious knee injury in a Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle in April 2024, resulting in him missing the entire Bok season.

Fourie returned to action for the Stormers in December and was recently part of the Springbok alignment camp in March, proof that Bok mastermind Rassie Erasmus still sees value in the 38-year-old.

But the flanker limped off the field against Connacht this past weekend with what was later confirmed as a tibia fracture. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson initially feared the worst, but Fourie confirmed that he aims to be back on the park this year.

"Surgery done and dusted," captioned the World Cup winner from his hospital bed.

"Big thumbs up from the recovery room! If everything goes well, I'll be back in 12 weeks [three months] doing what I love.

"Grateful for the incredible support around me and everyone's messages."

The versatile forward became the oldest player to make a Springbok debut at 35-years-old in 2022. Fourie's career renaissance saw him play a key role in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, where he played 78 minutes at hooker following Bongi Mbonambi's serious knee injury.

If Fourie's never-say-die attitude is anything to go by, he'll be signing off from rugby on his own terms.

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