Rugby-Toulouse. After happiness, Rynhardt Elstadt lived a long galley “hard to live with”
By Clement Mazella
Published on
7 and a half months. Here is the time during which Rynhardt Elstadt did not wear the jersey Toulouse stadium. Holder in the final of the Top 14 against La Rochelle on June 25, 2021, we did not see the South African again in the Red and Black tunic until February 11, during a cruel defeat at the buzzer against Stade Français at the Stadium (28-29). The end for him of a huge hasslewhich took much longer than expected.
A serious injury with South Africa
A little flashback: barely reinforced Brennus’ shield in a huge atmosphere at the Stade de France, Elstadt, like his friend Cheslin Kolbe, had to cut short the festivities and take a plane to theSouth Africa. For him, the season is not over yet. A momentous event awaits him: the British and Irish Lions tour. The 3and The Toulouse line was chosen by the coach of the Boks, Jacques Nienaber, who relies in particular on his temperament and his taste for the challenge.
In full swing, Rynhardt Elstadt was replaced for the first test at the end of July in Cape Town. Coming into play, he plays 17 minutes. They were the only ones with the Boks during this tour, but also during the Rugby Championship following. The fault of one ankle injury contracted during training. “During the first exams, we assume that it was just a sprain”, says Elstadt (32 years old; 3 selections).
Elstadt: “In the head, it was hard”
But after further testing, the Springbok medical staff realized that the injury was more serious than expected, a ligament being particularly affected. From 5 weeks of absence, the convalescence quickly increased to… 5 months. Finally, returned to the club, it took him a little longer to be fully fit. “It was very long, very hard to live too. There was a big frustration, ”says the South African.
The Toulouse management gave him the necessary time to recover, replaced, and regain all his sensations at the level of this damaged ankle. “In the head, it was hard,” admits the 32-year-old boy. Not to mention the “pain” to take.
Elstadt: “We won against the leader of the Top 14, so it’s a source of confidence”
From now on, he has found a place in the Toulouse collective to scrap like hell and help his team find the taste of victory. This was the case against UBB last weekend (12-11). “It was a very tough period for the club (6 straight defeats in the league, a record in the history of Toulouse, editor’s note), but we won against the leader of the Top 14. It is therefore a source of confidence. Now we want to continue, ”he says.
He and his teammates will have the opportunity from this Sunday, March 6 during the 20and Top 14 day, and a trip to French Stadium. With the desire to show a seductive face in the game, but also to take their revenge after this frustrating defeat at the Stadium in a very particular context.
Thuery: “As soon as he puts on the jersey, something happens”
Elstadt says he is “100% physically”, but only “95% cardio-wise”. Sufficient to however bring this excessive aggressiveness that he most likely missed at Toulouse during his recent losing streak. “He brings all his density, his generosity. We saw it against UBB: as soon as he puts on the jersey, something happens on the pitch. It did us good to find him, ”supports the defense coach Laurent Thuery.
The latter continues: “In a group balance, you need players like that, capable of being physically dominant. Even for the confidence of the young people around, it’s important to have this type of guy by your side to play these Top 14 matches”. Elstadt will chain a 4and meeting immediately this Sunday, and there is no doubt that it will gain momentum for the months to come, which are the most important of the year. “By chaining performances and good weeks as he does, he will quickly return to 100% of his physical capacities, it is obvious”, revealed Thuery. More good news in Toulouse.
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