Springboks lock Lood de Jager is relieved to still be playing after missing the Rugby World Cup due to a heart issue.
A day before the worldwide tournament squad was announced, the enormous second-row was diagnosed with pericarditis, or inflammation around the lining of the heart.
As expected, De Jager was sidelined for the World Cup and wasn’t allowed to play again until January in Japan Rugby League One.
The 31-year-old, who is presently with the Saitama Wild Knights, has given some outstanding performances this year in Asia.
Praise for medical team
However, the powerhouse forward admits that, had it not been for the Springboks medical department, it could have been very different.
“I was very pleased,” he told RugbyPass.
“Credit to the Springbok medical staff. It was misdiagnosed in Argentina. I went for scans there because that is where I picked up the issue. They didn’t perform an MRI.
“The doctor said let’s make sure when we get back to SA that we didn’t miss something. Then they picked up the pericarditis. I’m very thankful. It could have ended terribly.
De Jager’s last game before his enforced absence came against New Zealand during the Rugby Championship in July 2023.
The lock missed the final match of that competition against Argentina, but he was part of the squad that flew to South America ahead of a World Cup warm-up with Los Pumas on August 5.
That was where he developed ‘worrying symptoms’ and was simply unable to train.
De Jager claimed, “I had a viral infection that I was unaware of.” “I didn’t experience any fever. Despite experiencing some symptoms, I continued to train, which increased the strain on my heart. I eventually developed the fluid surrounding my heart.
“In a training session prior to the Argentina Test in Buenos Aires, I started to have some concerning symptoms. It happened on Monday. After five minutes, I felt as though someone was seated on my chest.
I had trouble breathing. It seemed as though someone was suffocating me because of the weight on my chest. I informed the doctor that something was wrong as I left the field.
After that, I had scans done, but they failed to detect the pericarditis. I remained in my chamber.
No training
De Jager needed to exercise with patience after receiving the diagnosis since it could have exacerbated the condition and delayed his recovery.
You can continue exercise the body parts that are not injured, even if you have a knee or shoulder injury. You can work out and do cardio,” he said. “After that, it was over.” I felt terrible the first couple weeks after returning. It wasn’t good. I was so out of condition.
“After ten years of professional play, your body adjusts to certain things.” Fortunately, I was able to get it back sooner than I anticipated.
