Lud de Jager, a player for the Springbok team, continues to fight for glory by overcoming difficulties related to injuries. Although he could already be considered a Springbok veteran, the tall player is still striving to remain in the squad.
When De Jager debuted for the Springboks at the age of 21 in 2014, few could have predicted that after 12 years he would only have 76 Test matches. Injuries cost him almost two full years of his career; in 2023 he played only one Test, and in 2024 none, which was a heavy test for any athlete.
Nevertheless, he has returned to the Springbok second line and utilizes every opportunity. De Jager noted: 'Obviously, I had more injuries than an average guy. But it's just part of my journey. You go through these setbacks, and then you come back stronger.'
He emphasized that any injury, no matter how severe or disappointing, is part of the journey, and it must be viewed as such. Standing at 2.05 m and weighing 125 kg, De Jager's physique does not look like that of someone created for longevity. His bulky frame always made him imposing, but perhaps also vulnerable.
Returning to full physical condition is not an easy task. He admitted: 'Getting match fitness is hard when you are not a natural athlete. I am not the best at training, and nothing compares to the intensity of a match and what you need in the game.'
However, the most serious obstacle in his career was not a ligament, knee, or shoulder injury. Right before the 2023 World Cup, De Jager contracted pericarditis—inflammation around the heart caused by a viral infection—and suddenly rugby lost all meaning to him.
'For the next four months, I couldn't do any physical activity,' he recounted. 'I felt completely broken—nothing. First, I climbed stairs and was out of breath. After two months, it got better. And eventually, you are back on the field.'
This experience changed his outlook on life. 'I took my health for granted,' he confessed. 'When you have heart problems, it really puts things into perspective.'
This new perspective accompanied him back to the Springbok squad. He stated: 'It's very important to us, but it's just a game. Now I enjoy every minute I get to spend playing.'
At 33, De Jager accepts that next year's World Cup in Australia might be the final chapter of his international career. He even laughs recalling himself in his youth. 'I always looked at older guys and thought: why is this guy still playing rugby at 33? Now I understand why. You still feel like you can do it.'
His recent return after injury was particularly welcome as it occurred during a series of matches in the Rugby World Cup rivalry. In world rugby, few events are as significant as a Springbok versus All Blacks match, and De Jager fully understands what that means. 'Playing against the All Blacks is always grand,' he said. 'But if you add history, stakes, atmosphere, and fans, it becomes huge. I am just grateful to be part of such a big rugby event.'
There is another reason why his return is important for the Springboks. De Jager and Eben Etzebeth started playing together in 43 matches, ranking second on the list of most experienced central defense pairs for the Boks. Only the legendary partnership of Victor Matfield—Bakkies Botha, with 63 joint matches, lasted longer. Despite De Jager's career often being interrupted, he is already thinking about who can continue his legacy. He pointed to two young players in the central defense: the outstanding Sharks player Emile van Heerden, son of former Springbok Fritz van Heerden, and the young Bulls player J.F. van Heerden.
De Jager noted: 'Emile has a very good work rate, he is strong and handles the out-line challenge well. J.F. van Heerden from the Bulls is also promising. These two stand out to me when it comes to central defenders who can represent South Africa in the future.'
However, De Jager remains in the team for now. He continues to dominate opponents, perform hard work, and strive for the next Test series match.