Ludik back in rehab
Louis Ludik’s comeback has been cut short as he will undergo further rehabilitation for a knee injury.
The former Lions player, who was cleared to play for the Sharks after a court battle between the two unions last month, tore ligaments in early June last year during the British & Irish Lions tour.
After a lengthy rehab programme, he played a little over 100 minutes of the Sharks XV’s first two Vodacom Cup fixtures. The coaching staff have now decided to hold him back once more.
After these matches there was slight swelling of the joint, but no extra damage. Sharks backline consultant Hugh Reece-Edwards told keo.co.za Ludik will be assessed by the medical staff to ascertain when he will play again.
‘We had identified that Louis wasn’t 100% fit,’ Reece-Edwards told this website. ‘We’ve decided he’ll continue with his rehab and he won’t play for a little while.
‘There’s no use in taking a chance and we don’t want him playing unnecessarily.’
Ludik hadn’t played for eight months before his return for the Sharks second-stringers and this move is all about ensuring the player returns to the form that saw him selected for the Springbok training squad midway through 2008.
‘He’s not at the level he was before the injury, but we weren’t expecting that to happen over night,’ said Reece-Edwards. ‘These injuries take time, and we’re still well within the time period for how long they normally take.
‘Louis is disappointed he won’t be playing, but there is no panic or concern. This is just a precautionary measure.’
Once the coaching staff have seen the medical reports from the latest rehab period, a decision on when Ludik will play again will be made.
Turning his attention to the Sharks’ match against the Brumbies on Saturday, Reece-Edwards denied there’s a rift in the Sharks camp.
‘We’re all disappointed with the results. Basics and a lack of discipline have cost us. There have been some dubious refereeing calls, but we must control what we can.
‘I’ve read reports saying the spirit in the camp is down and there are factions within the group, but I don’t believe that for a moment. People simply assume there must be problems in the camp because of the results.
‘If anything, the losses would have brought the side closer together and there will be more steely resolve from the team knowing they have to learn how to win games.
‘Four losses is all you can afford in a Super 14 season. From now on, every match is a final for us.’
By Grant Ball
March 10th, 2010 at 6:24 am
Rehab dragons.
March 10th, 2010 at 6:29 am
Nah, he did not look injured at all. Strooli coached the talent out of him.
March 10th, 2010 at 6:31 am
When did he originally injure his knee?
March 10th, 2010 at 6:32 am
My bad, June 09.
Ah… This lad can play too.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Hope Ludik recovers soon.
A very talented player…
March 10th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Morning all.
A dodgy knee is sierieaaaaaaaas. If not done correctly… end of his paticipation in any rugby….
Make 100% sure before you let him on the field….
March 10th, 2010 at 7:59 am
Kry vir julle,Sharkies.Hy kan maar saam met Mostert op die strand le en die jaar se begroeting opvreet.Dankie Mr van Zyl!
March 10th, 2010 at 8:08 am
Ludik back in rehab !!!!!!!
thought maybee he’d been out on the lash with Pedrie ????
March 10th, 2010 at 8:52 am
And so the karma thickens…
March 10th, 2010 at 9:10 am
On a lighter note, Pedrie made his Superrugby debut almost 10 years ago and he still stays with his mom, WTF!!!!
March 10th, 2010 at 9:13 am
@XhosaKid: His rent money goes up his nose
March 10th, 2010 at 9:16 am
The amy winehouse of sa rugby..
March 10th, 2010 at 9:40 am
@XhosaKid: Good point, thats odd.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Don’t understand why Ludik went there in the first place..
They have both Terblanche and Riaan Viljoen (whose on form at the moment). At least at the lions he would get game time at his preferred position…
March 10th, 2010 at 10:38 am
@Liquid: Doesn’t Riaan Viljoen play for the Cheetahs?
March 10th, 2010 at 10:52 am
@Liquid: Seems like you are smoking something…
March 10th, 2010 at 11:12 am
@katman: @Gambit25: Oh snap! I confused the massive try he scored AGAINST the Sharks and thought he scored it for the Sharks..
Shows I haven’t been following the Sharks & Cheetahs games too closely. Apologies gents..
Also just trying to squeeze out some of my sour grapes for one of my fav. players from 2009 dropping my team
March 10th, 2010 at 11:16 am
@Liquid: Think you mean Riaan Swanepoel.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:17 am
@THAT GUY/DAAI OU: inside centre for Sharks
March 10th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Curse of the Lions on this bloke!
March 10th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Karma’s a *****. Was sad to see him drop the Lions for a life of leisure at the coast with the new wife.
Now to see Mostert and him on the “krukkelys” must make you think some vindication for the Lions after losing some good players. Not that you can wish injury on any player.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:57 am
@XhosaKid:
So does Jano Vermaak.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Money well spent
March 10th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
What a fantastic rugby player. I actually think he should be the Boks first choice fullback. If you think about it, Terblanche is too old and Frans won’t get chosen because he’s over-seas. Other great fullbacks are Joe Pietersen and Riaan Viljoen, but Ludik has a good bit of experience. He’s been playing super rugby since he was 19, I think. I wouldn’t mind seeing Viljoen in the green jersey, but he only made his debut in last years currie cup. Maybe the position should be given to someone who has a bit of experience. If we work closely on all these guys, come next years world cup, we’ll have Frans Steyn, Louis Ludik, Riaan Viljoen and Joe Pietersen all with a good ammount of experience but they’d still all be pretty young.