Ulster Rugby vs Munster

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WIEHAHN HERBST

ROAD TO RECOVERY

“My first injury started in January last season

when I injured my toe ligaments,” explains Herbst.

“I was in a moonboot for three weeks and during

that time I worked a lot with Kev (Geary) and

Ciaran (Sloan). They put me through the ropes,

rehabbing me hard and we tried to get back for

the end of the season but unfortunately I just

didn’t make it.

"So, at the start of this season, everything

was going well and I was ready to go, then in

the second week when we were doing some

wrestling training, I tore my adductor muscle,

which set me back another 12 weeks. So the

surgeon had to reattach that and when rehab

started. They noticed something was up so I had

to go through a Lloyd Release procedure. Last

week was 13 weeks post op, and I can’t thank

Kev and Chris (McNicholl) enough for all their help

with running and physio respectively, they have

really helped me over the past few months.

“While I was out and watching from the side-

lines I thought the boys had a great start to the

season. They have been doing really well and

everyone is playing for each other. There is a

great vibe around the squad. It was disappointing

to see the losses against Connacht and Bordeaux

but the reaction to Paddy’s (Jackson) drop goal

last weekend just proved how much it means

to everyone. The boys are playing with so much

passion for each other, which is great to see.

“It’s been up and down for me over the past

few weeks, but I could see the light at the end

of the tunnel. Now, it's great to be back with the

team in training and back with the boys again.

Last weekend, it was nice to get back out onto

the pitch with the Ulster A side, to put any Ulster

jersey over my head is a great feeling and a

blessing to be back to full fitness. The lungs didn’t

quite hold up as I would have expected but it was

still good, the body felt good afterwards so I am

looking forward to the next opportunity.

“My fitness and game time was assessed last

week, and it is great to be back training with the

senior panel again. I have been waiting to get

back out at Kingspan Stadium for a long time, so

I was delighted to get the call up for a massive

game against Munster!”

It hasn’t been an easy few months for South African prop Wiehahn Herbst

who returns to the starting line up tonight following back to back injuries…