Flip Q&A: Slow progress
The Bulls were dealt a cruel blow just days into their pre-season, with confirmation that Springbok Flip van der Merwe is set to miss the start of the 2015 season.
Van der Merwe, who underwent surgery this week after damaging his pectoral muscle, was also ruled out for the latter half of 2014 after suffering a serious knee injury during the second Springbok Test against Wales in June.
The 29-year-old missed the Boks' Rugby Championship campaign and end-of-year European tour, as well as the Blue Bulls' Currie Cup campaign.
In his latest setback he tore his pectoral muscles in a freak accident while exercising in the gymnasium.
Here is what Van der Merwe had to say!
Question: What is the status of your injury?
Answer: I felt good after going through a recovery period for my knee injury and started running again on November 18, but have suffered a new injury in training. The healing process is long and slow, and I will be pretty glad when I can get back on the field. Hopefully in time for the new Super Rugby season.
Q: It must be extremely frustrating to suffer an injury which counts you out of selection for a Springbok tour - how do you stay fit and positive?
A: Injuries are every rugby player's worst nightmare, you are never fully prepared for it. I gave myself a week or two to get over the emotional side of things before resetting my goals and focusing on achieving them.
Q: Springb
A: Being selected for the Springboks is a massive honour and once you get selected it's even harder to stay there. If you only focus on being selected for the Springboks you are going to neglect the things you need to do be a Springbok. You must sweat the small stuff first - fitness, skills, rugby knowledge and win with your team before you will even be considered.
Q: Missing a World Cup through injury must be the ultimate heartbreak for a player. How do you play with 100 percent commitment and push injury fears to the back of your mind?
A: I broke four ribs four weeks before the 2011 World Cup and could therefore not be considered. It was the worst time in my career thus far. The funny thing with rugby is that when you don't play 100 percent that's when you get injured. I feel 2015 is my year, I'm giving it everything.
Q: The Bulls Super Rugby fixtures begin with three home matches - do you prefer playing your home matches up first, or after returning from a tour Down Under?
A: Starting your campaign at home is always a good momentum builder for the season. If you want to reach the play offs in Super Rugby you have to win your home games, so the draw suits us perfectly.
Q: The Bulls experienced a mixed bag in Super Rugby last season - what do you expect the coaching staff to do to ensure a consistently high level of play?
A: Yes we were very close to that play off spot and unfortunately a couple of injuries prevented us from being our strongest at the business end of the season. Our coaching staff always ensure that we are prepared as best we can before the game, and then it is up to the players to take the week's practice onto the field.
Q: A lock's relationship with the hooker is key. Are you excited to play with new signing Adriaan Strauss and what does he bring to the team?
A: Adriaan and I come a long way, having played together at school and at the Cheetahs. We room together when we're with the Springboks so I am very excited to see the 'Vanilla Gorilla' in a Bulls jersey. His skills and leadership will add a lot to our franchise and brand of rugby.
Q: You have quite a few new faces in the Bulls training squad - which of these youngsters stand out and why?
A: We should be careful to call them youngsters, cause these days the young ones are bigger than us old heads. I predict that we will see a lot of new talent at the Bulls this year, guys like the Kriel brothers, Janse van Rensburg and Pierre Schoeman are all exciting and promising youngsters.
Q: Which teams will be the biggest challenge for the Bulls in Super Rugby 2015 and which teams do you tip for the top four places?
A: Our biggest challenge will be the team playing against us in the Final.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the Bulls?
A: I enjoy everything about the Bulls! Loftus, the fans, the blue jersey, Pretoria, but most off all I enjoy the people I get to work with at the Bulls. Everyone you meet wants to make the Bulls a better team and also a better place to be.
Q: What are you thoughts on the new Super Rugby kit?
A: It's a super cool design. I really like the way the Bulls' head wraps around the body and the reflective eye on the jersey gives it a unique look and feel.
@rugby365com