It was entirely apt that the Vodacom Bulls’ Marnitz Boshoff should find himself on a Vodacom Red 4×4 experience in Magoebaskloof last weekend, writes MICHAEL VLISMAS.

Boshoff himself is embracing the event’s theme of #ChallengeAccepted as he goes in for knee surgery.

Boshoff was on crutches last weekend after undergoing a scope that revealed he had damaged his ACL and would require surgery. It comes after he had earlier undergone surgery for a meniscus injury which he thought would solve the knee problem he’s suffered this year. But when he began rehab from that operation he was still suffering pain, with a further diagnosis revealing the damage to his ACL.

‘It’s been difficult and frustrating. You work hard to come back and then there’s another setback. I spent a few days being quite down about it, but fortunately I have a strong wife who said she wasn’t going to have anymore sulking around the house,’ said the former Springbok flyhalf.

‘I’m aiming to be back training at the end of March, beginning of April. I’ll know in more detail after the surgery. But my biggest goal for now is just to get back on the field again. If I can get back to playing consistently good rugby, then the rest will take care of itself.’

There was a definite sense that Boshoff appreciated more than most the idea of overcoming obstacles as he sat in an Isuzu as part of the 4×4 experience where Vodacom Red rewarded its top customers and other Vodacom Bulls rugby players with a weekend on the trails.

‘You know, injuries build character and you just keep looking for the positives. I’ve never been out of the game for this long. It makes you appreciate how privileged you are to be able to play this game.

‘But you also need good support around you and then you need to make that mind shift and start working hard to get back. I’ve got my targets and I’m ready to work towards them as soon as the operation is over.’