Faf de Klerk set to undergo lengthy period on sidelines

Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson has revealed that South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk will spend lengthy period on the sidelines after undergoing a hip surgery.

Klerk sustained the blow during South Africa's second Test against the British and Irish Lions forcing him to miss the third and deciding game which the Springboks went on to win.

Even though he returned to feature for the final four rounds of the Rugby Championship games against Australia and New Zealand, Sanderson said de Klerk had aggravated the injury and was forced to go under the knife.

“Faf has seen the very best person when it comes to these injuries. There was no choice, it needed an operation,” Sanderson said.

“We’re hoping it might be less than five months – maybe around four months, but we’ll see. I’m not happy about it but what can you do. We have to stay cheerful.

“Faf is a very positive lad. He’s brought his girlfriend back over from South Africa to look after him which is massive for him personally. If anyone is going to come back from an injury like this as strong and as motivated, then it’s him.

“Our S+C (strength and conditioning) guys are very experienced, and they’ll get the best advice too. Marland Yarde has had the same surgery and he’s now playing as well as he ever has. Injuries are part of the game.”

Sale Sharks are positioned seventh in the Gallagher Premiership table with two wins from five games and will face Leicester Tigers next on Saturday at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium.