Free State Cheetahs and Springbok flank Heinrich Brussow suffered a cruciate ligament rupture, possibly ending his 2010 season.
The incident occurred in the dying stages of the Cheetahs 28-12 victory over the Hurricanes in Bloemfontein. Whilst it is a massive blow to the Cheetahs (realistically they are not semi-final contenders), it represents an even bigger loss to the Springboks.
Brussow was a revelation in 2009, and was one of the standout Springbok players who had a massive influence on the Boks 2009 success. This culminated in Brussow being named South Africa’s young player of the year for 2009, along with provincial player of the British and Irish Lions tour.
It seems such a shame he got injured when the game was effectively over, and key players are often subbed to get a rest. It is easy to think “If only…”, the fact remains Brussow was injured making yet another tackle and it is most likely his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that is ruptured.
Brussow will have a surgical repair on Monday. Rehab after ACL injuries is typically 6-9 months, and Brussow’s year may effectively be over.
Who will Peter de Villiers turn to in 2010? Brussow showed the value of having a genuine opensider, and thankfully there is quality cover.
It would be easy to forget that Brussow was initally not even in the squad for the first Lions test and only got his opportunity because of a calf injury to Schalk Burger. Burger is back this year and has a chance to regain his treasured Bok number 6 jumper.
However I think Burger’s best years are behind him and it is an uncapped player that I believe deserves the Bok openside flank position. That being Bulls flank Deon Stegmann.
Whilst I really want to see Stegmann start in the number 6 jersey for the Springboks, I believe the selectors will be conservative and go with Burger.
I am sure no one would be happier to see Stegmann in the Bok jumper than his good mate Heinrich Brussow. They grew up playing together and are cut from the same cloth.
Prior to the Bulls clash with the Hurricanes in week 6 of the 2009 Super 14, I thought Stegmann was the stand out open side flank. He was subsequently suspended for a dangerous tackle in that game and never quite regained his exceptional form. Whether the suspension put him in two minds I am not sure, but Brussow’s form improved over the latter half of the super 14 and he deserved his Springbok call-up.
This year, in my opinion Stegmaan has been the best open side flank in the competition. He has adapted brilliantly to the new law interpretations and is still making plenty of turnovers. Add to that his massive work-rate and gizillion tackles per match and he is the perfect person for the Boks. He won’t let anyone down, and I think he can take the world by storm as Brussow did in 2009.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske said that Brussow is irreplaceable. Whilst I agree in regards to the Cheetahs, I disagree when talking about the Boks. Give Stegmann a go and we’ll all see!
April 21st, 2010 at 7:46 am
If life is fair at all, Deon Stegmann should be a Springbok in 2010!
He may have given away a couple of penalties on the Bulls’ Australasian tour and attracted some unfair criticism, but his penalty count is no greater than say, those of the Stormers’ flanks. Besides, it is exactly in the position of openside flank that most teams concede penalties as it is the responsibility of these players to aggressively constest the ball at the breakdown.
Stegmann is a very hard and honest worker on and off the field, and has certainly outplayed Heinrich Brussow in their last 4 encounters.
Stegmann has the perfect size, speed and physical and psychological toughness, as well as the same fighting spirit as Heinrich Brussow to be ideally complimentary to the Springbok loose trio combinations that we currently have. Heinrich Brussow has caused quite a sensation in the media during 2009, but as any rugby fan can see, Deon Stegmann is in no means behind Brussow when it comes to being clinical at the breakdown.
Victor Matfield himself has come out and said he believes Stegmann is an ideal option to be awarded the Springbok number 6 jersey, and although the Springbok legend may have a slight Bulls bias, he certainly would know better than most what he is talking about in this regard.
Schalk Burger is on very good form at the moment, but he is quite a different player compared to the Brussow/Stegmann type with his own strengths and weaknesses, and he certainly has and will continue to make his great contribution to Springbok rugby, although many are of the opinion that the former type (of opensider, perhaps almost regardless of the ELVs) would be more benefitting to the Springboks as they head into the 2010 season.
April 21st, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Hi John,
Life is not always fair! But I do agree Deon Stegmann is a fine player.
Whilst Stegmaan started the season brilliantly, (I thought he adapted to the new law interpretations better than anyone other flanker), I have been surprised how his form has fallen away slightly. He hasn’t had the same impact and is now starting to give away penalties (sometimes unfairly) but some for silly little things like early tackles and head high tackles.
You make a great point about how he has been rotated. I made the point that in 2009 I felt his form suffered after he got suspended against the Hurricanes. Prehaps he has lost momentum again. I still think he’d be a fine Bok, but Francois Louw now comes into the picture and what about Wickus van Heerden? Also Schalk Burger (in my view a better blind side flank) may be in the mix as he is playing well and it’s so tough to drop Juan Smith who in my view is an unsung hero.