EXCLUSIVE | Emotionally, it was difficult to watch the Springboks, says injured Hanekom

Springbok and Bulls loose-forward Cameron Hanekom is edging closer to a return-to-play date and could be part of the Bulls’ next URC match, against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld at the end of November.

Hanekom tore a hamstring tendon in the URC semi-final against the Sharks in early June, robbing him of a place in the URC final against Leinster and ruling him out of all Springbok activity for the year.

Last year, the unlucky Hanekom suffered a knee injury early in the year and would make his Test debut in the Boks’ last game of 2024, the 45-12 defeat of Wales in Cardiff. He has not played for the Boks since.

“The rehab is going well, and I started running a few weeks ago, so the return date is getting closer. I’m starting to see the silver lining,” Hanekom smiled.

The 23-year-old was speaking exclusively to Independent Media at a Pick n Pay function in Johannesburg to launch their CollectaBoks cards campaign.

“I should be playing in a month or so. Roughly, it will be the Lions game or the game after.”

Hanekom admitted that he had initially been in a dark place after the hamstring injury occurred.

“In the beginning, it was very difficult to watch the Springboks,” he said.

“I was very emotional watching and knowing there was a chance I could have been there. I was never certain of a starting position, but a chance of being involved had been taken away.

“In the beginning, I felt a bit sorry for myself, but nobody could pick me up better than I could. It was up to me, so then I started taking the small wins (in rehab) and basically controlling what I could.

“At the end of the day, they (the Springboks) are still my teammates, they are still players I aspire to and admire. So it started getting easier to watch the games. And when they won the Championship, it was the cherry on top.”

Hanekom is visibly broader in his upper body, and he says gym work was one of those things he could control.

“I could train my upper body, and I have tried hard to build more muscle and get my size up. The running will come when it comes, but now I can work on getting stronger to get faster.”

Hanekom’s injury was especially unfortunate given how well he had been playing.

At the Bulls Awards in August, he walked away with Fans’ Player of the Year, Champions Cup Forward of the Year, Champions Cup Player of the Year, and URC Forward of the Year.

Speaking of the Bulls and their three wins in five games in the new URC season, Hanekom said: “I feel we are still trying to find each other. There are some very good moments, some quality defence, but sometimes we are not on top of it. I feel the cohesion will come; we have the players to do it.

“This last game against Glasgow was a reality check, knowing that from here on, we have to pick things up because we are losing valuable points that could prove costly.

“Willie le Roux and Kurt-Lee (Arendse) almost scored the try of the year, but unfortunately, there was a knock-on. Sometimes life doesn’t go your way. I feel that is where the Bulls are.

“But I am not worried, I feel the boys are strong enough and good enough to get the job done.”

Hanekom said he would be a keen observer of the Boks’ November tour.

“Some lekker games are coming up, and it is good to play different teams with their different shapes and game plans.

“It is a good challenge for the Springboks, given where they are at the moment. They played extremely well to win the Championship, and if they can build on that by beating France in France and Ireland in Ireland, that would make a statement for the next few years to come.”

Finally, he gives a verdict on the position he prefers.

“I prefer No 8, but, honestly, I feel I can adjust to 6 and 7. I feel I am very versatile, so I am not too bothered about where I play.”