Cape Town - He has been mentioned as a possible Springbok fullback in 2016 by Allister Coetzee, but Warrick Gelant’s season is over.
The Bulls No 15, who was in excellent form in the early rounds of Super Rugby, has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the knee, which usually sidelines a player for between six and nine months.
The former SA Under-20 star, who hails from Knysna, was earmarked for a place in the Blitzbok Sevens squad for the Rio Olympics in August, and was named in the SA Sevens Academy side for next week’s Roma Sevens tournament in Italy to prove his fitness after a broken jaw kept Gelant out of action for the last two months.
He made his return to the field at the weekend for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup, and lasted 46 minutes before being replaced in the second half. The Blitzboks management announced on Twitter on Thursday that Gelant has been replaced for the Roma Sevens by Sphamandla Ngcobo.
But Gelant himself took to Facebook to confirm the worst, accompanied by a picture of the 21-year-old in a hospital bed. “Yes I can confirm that I tear off my acl on my knee. I will need to go for operation soon. This means it will be the end of my season. I’m disappointed, but it’s part of rugby.”
It is a massive blow not only to Gelant’s growth as a player at the highest level, but also for the Sevens Boks, who would’ve benefited significantly from his skills. Gelant proved in Super Rugby what a dangerous runner he is with ball-in-hand from the back, while he is also solid under the high ball and a good kicker.
Willie le Roux is the only specialist fullback in the Springbok squad who in camp in Stellenbosch this week, with coach Coetzee saying that Pat Lambie and Jesse Kriel would provide back-up if required.
But the Bok boss said earlier this week that Gelant and Cheslin Kolbe – who is also committed to the Blitzboks for the Olympics – are on his radar as well. “If you want to ask if I would select Cheslin Kolbe, then yes, I would select Cheslin Kolbe as a fullback if he’s available. I would even select Warrick Gelant if he becomes available,” said Coetzee.
“Those are two fullbacks who are really bringing something different to a team environment – a way of playing, in broken play especially.
“But understand that they haven’t played Test rugby yet, and the sevens gives them a good platform to enhance their skills, and really make good decisions.”
@IndyCapeSport