Lions prop Redelinghuys still in limbo

It is the uncertainty that he is finding most difficult to come to grips with.

However it takes more than not knowing whether he will play rugby again to get Lions prop Julian Redelinghuys down.

Redelinghuys effectively broke his neck when it dislocated in last year's Currie Cup final against the Cheetahs but fusion of C 5/6 has set him on course to recovery.

It is however unclear whether that will include the rough and tumble of the game he loves.

Redelinghuys who was named Lions' Player of the Year on Wednesday glowed not just because of his tightly held trophy but his wife was due to deliver their first born on Thursday.

Last year his performances for the Lions were stellar and he also featured for the Springboks against Ireland and the Rugby Championships before his career came to a shuddering halt.

• Redelinghuys Lion of 2016His season may have been curtailed through injury, but Lions tighthead Julian Redelinghuys was last night named the Golden Lions' 2016 player of the year. 

He doesn't know if his recovery will be complete.

“It is tough. That is what a person is scared of the most. Uncertainty. When you don't know what is going to happen‚” said Redelinghuys.

“To be honest‚ it is challenging. It is slow going. I'm so grateful because things are going better than the doctors expected.

“I've got movement in my arm again. I can start doing things again. I can help build a cot for my little one. I'm taking it day by day.

“Faith helps. There are good things on the horizon. It does help to have a little one on the way. It is a blessing and we can't wait to meet her.

“There are things in place like your support structure. I don't know how guys do it without it.”

• Successful neck operation for Redelinghuys but future remains uncertainGolden Lions and Springbok prop Julian Redelinghuys should make a “full recovery’ after neck surgery on Sunday but it remains unclear whether a full recovery includes playing rugby again. 

Redelinghuys is very much a glass half full kind of bloke. He wears an endearing smile and his exudes positive energy.

No wonder Lions coach Johan Ackermann has kept him close by in the pre season as the tighthead helped get the forwards battle ready for their Super Rugby campaign that kicks-off in Bloemfontein next Saturday.

“It is helluva nice to have remained part of the team‚” the tighthead beamed.

“I go in most of the days because these guys are my brothers. I don't miss a scrum session. It is nice to see the guys grow. I don't know the role they see me in.

“They're not gonna get rid of me‚” said Redelinghuys.

 - TMG Digital