1
Fans hail du Preez's Scotland recall after his unique and harrowing injury
By Josh Raisey
Few players have had a journey as interesting between caps as Scotland’s Cornell du Preez may have. The Worcester Warriors back row has been called up to Gregor Townsend’s squad for the upcoming Six Nations two years after he earned his sixth and last cap but has endured a horrifying time with injury since then.
The 28-year-old joined the Warriors from Edinburgh in the summer of 2018 but fractured his larynx only minutes into his debut after a collision with Wasps’ Joe Launchbury.
He was subsequently out of action for much of the season, having multiple surgeries on his throat, and faced a long battle on the road to recovery. This included not being able to speak for four weeks due to a paralysed left vocal cord and having a tracheostomy.
He returned to action for the final few games of last season for the Warriors, who were struggling near the foot of the Gallagher Premiership. They were able to stave off relegation and have looked far stronger this season with the return of du Preez.
His form for the Warriors has merited a return to the Scotland squad in what is a competitive back row as the Scarlets’ Blade Thomson and the Glasgow Warriors’ Ryan Wilson and Matt Fagerson all miss out.
The South African-born loose forward’s call-up does not surprise any Worcester fans, but his return is an uplifting story after suffering one of rugby’s most unique and harrowing injuries.
This is not the only gruesome injury that du Preez has suffered throughout his career, having broken his ankle during his time in the Scottish capital.
However, that has not shaken his enthusiasm for the game and he has been richly rewarded with this call-up by Townsend. Many are celebrating what an achievement that is.
WATCH: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend names his squad for the 2020 Guinness Six Nations
Trending on RugbyPass
2
England No8 Billy Vunipola tasered and arrested in Spain
3
Saints boss Dowson reacts to controversial Care incident
4
Fissler Confidential: Radwan eyed to replace exit-bound England wing
5
Latest Comments
Finau is not leaving a lot of room for error that’s true, but he committed to 3 out of four tackles when the player had the ball so that’s all legal. (And incredibly entertaining)
Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
Go to comments