Dan Du Preez: Springboks Dealt Injury Blow as Key Star Faces Extended Absence

• Bath confirmed Dan du Preez sustained a hamstring tear in training ahead of their Champions Cup fixture against Montpellier
• Head of rugby Johann van Graan warned the injury would rule the Springbok loose forward out for a considerable amount of time
• The setback deepens Bath's back-row injury crisis, with several other forwards already sidelined for weeks or months

Bath Rugby have confirmed that Springbok loose forward Dan du Preez will miss at least two Premiership matches after tearing his hamstring during a training session.

The 31-year-old, who moved to Bath from Sale Sharks at the start of the season, was sidelined for the club's Investec Champions Cup defeat to Montpellier after picking up the injury on the Thursday before the fixture.

Du Preez's Injury Timeline

Bath confirmed the extent of the setback in a statement: "Dan du Preez sustained a hamstring injury in training ahead of the Montpellier fixture and will miss the next two PREM matches."

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Head of rugby Johann van Graan was candid about the severity, saying: "He unfortunately tore his hamstring on the Thursday before the game. That will rule him out for a considerable amount of time."

Du Preez had made two appearances for Bath since his arrival, contributing two tries before the injury intervened.

Bath's Growing Back-Row Crisis

The news compounds an already difficult situation for Bath in the back row. Sam Underhill remains unavailable until December following biceps surgery, while forward Billy Sela is not expected back until late November due to a foot injury. Jamie Bhatti faces an even longer wait, with his return from forearm surgery pencilled in for the new year.

Despite the mounting absences, Bath do have some encouraging news ahead of their West Country derby against Gloucester. Flanker Miles Reid has completed his return-to-play protocols and is available for selection.

Will Muir, Henry Arundell and Tom de Glanville have also resumed elements of training as they work towards returns from their respective injuries. Their fitness will be assessed on a week-by-week basis, with Arundell potentially in contention for this weekend's fixture.

Source: Briefly News