Rejuvenated Nortje inspired by Bok revival

01/16/2025 10:24 AM

Ruan Nortje is eager to pick up where he left off in 2024, as the Springbok and Vodacom Bulls lock gears up to make his comeback from a two-month injury lay-off this week.

Nortje, who has been sidelined since November with a serious hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Boks’ end-of-year tour, is in line to face Stade Francais in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup clash at Loftus Versfeld.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout season for the Boks last year, after making his debut in 2022. He started all five of his Test appearances and played a key role in South Africa's Rugby Championship-winning campaign.

Speaking during a Bulls conference on Thursday, the six-cap Nortje discussed his fitness and recent experience with the world champions following the disappointment of losing the Vodacom URC final against Glasgow Warriors in Pretoria last season.

"I was out for a bit longer than I hoped for but I feel good and am very excited to be back on the field as quickly as possible," he told reporters.

"It's been a year full of learning; obviously you always want to win the URC but if I look back on my year I wouldn't want to change a thing. I've learnt so much and have grown a lot as a player.

"When I joined the Boks [in 2024] it was after the final and we [the Bulls] were in a space of what went wrong. You don't know where you completely fit in with the Bulls and it was just a frustrating time after that final."

"But when I got to the Boks it was almost like you get a whole new revival of excitement for what you do, and from when I was at the Boks I just went out and played as if it was my last." Nortje added.

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"Because if you play there it's not guaranteed you get the opportunity every weekend, and it's definitely one of my goals for the year is to play each weekend with that mindset, if it's for the Springboks or the Bulls.

"That mindset can help me to be a better player."

Nortje seized his opportunity in the green and gold amid a mid-year lock crisis for the Bokss, and the Bulls skipper is relishing the opportunity to return to the national setup.

"I was just grateful for the opportunity and experience that I got. There are so many good locks in South Africa, I was just fortune to be available and in the right place, at the right time," he said,

"Hopefully I can find my feet again this year and put my hand up for Test rugby."

The Bulls tackle French giants Stade Francais on the back of four consecutive defeats across all competitions. On the challenge for the Herd at Loftus, Nortje added: "For us, it's important to get a bit of rhythm now, a bit of continuity, because the last few months have been a bit disruptive for us.

"We were not able to have a lot of continuity, and there were a lot of changes due to injuries and player rest protocols. We also had quite a tough schedule, travelling overseas and back, and travelling again overseas.

"For us, it's taking it weekend for weekend, and this weekend it's to just get that rhythm, build that connection between forwards and backs, and that continuity in all departments."

Photo: Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images

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