Bulls' fast player Sebastian de Clercq has returned to active play after a two-month absence due to a foot injury. He is preparing to regain the form he showed during the Springbok national team training camp earlier this year.
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann faces an interesting problem when assembling the team before the start of the new United Rugby Championship (URC) season, as talented versatile forward Sebastian de Clercq returns after sustaining a serious injury.
The main task now is to determine where Ackermann will deploy the player in the new season while he tries to regain his previous form, which he had before the injury sustained in the match against Stormers.
De Clercq, who was invited to the Springboks training camp and participated in matches for the national team, could have debuted for the squad last season. However, a serious foot injury forced him to remain on the bench for several months, causing him to miss the URC playoffs and the final match against Leinster in Dublin.
Ackermann is pleased with De Clercq's return, and the player has shown that he is quickly returning to peak form in a recent friendly match against Stormers in Paarl, Western Cape. The question now is whether he can demonstrate this form in Bulls' first match against Zebre in Italy on Saturday, as well as in the match against Munster next week in Ireland, if selected.
De Clercq (26 years old) has established himself as a winger, but he is also a very useful wing-centre. Ackermann stated: 'I am very happy for Sebastian; it was a huge blow for him because of the foot injury and missing the end of last season.' He added: 'However, he has demonstrated his class, and I am glad he is back on the field and things are going well. Winger is the position where he played best for us. But last year he showed us that he can be just as dangerous at wing-centre. So we will see where we plan to use him this season.'
Bulls has many healthy wingers for the start of the season, but the team looks somewhat weak in the midfield after Jan Serfontein's retirement. This could create an opportunity for De Clercq to take up the wing-centre position.
The squad also includes Cheswill Yosthe, Takir Abraham, Stavino Jacobs, Sergeal Petersen, Riyad Bam, Dylan Mart, and Springbok Canan Moodie, giving the team many options to choose from throughout the season.
Ackermann is also in a potentially difficult situation because midfielders Kurwin Bosch and Embros Papier are experiencing minor discomfort before the start. Papier is being monitored due to an ankle injury, and Bosch suffered a calf strain in the 'Clash of Titans' match against the All Blacks. He was supposed to play against Stormers but was withdrawn as a precaution.
Ackermann hopes both will be available for the first game but noted that Papier's progress will be monitored to determine his return time.
