Spies off to New Zealand

23/03/2008 21:03
Johannesburg - Springbok No8 Pierre Spies is on his way to New Zealand to help the Bulls flagging fortunes.

Spies was given the all-clear to return to action after being forced off the field for a pulmonary embolism he sustained before last year's World Cup and has immediately left for Auckand to join his Super 14 team-mates.

Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag revealed the news and quoted Spies's uncle Dawie, who represents the family as saying that the No 8 was raring to go.

"It's a wonderful day for our family to get such news. Pierre was at several specialists and they all gave him the all clear to play again," Dawie Spies told Sondag.

"He left on the next flight to New Zealand."

Spies was never absolutely sure of his illness, after he coughed up blood in a Springbok training session, but Dawie Spies said he had followed a disciplined rehabilitation regime.

"The fact that the entire country also prayed for him to get better and the fact that the specialists could find nothing, is a miracle," Spies Snr said.

"We however followed the rehabilitation programme as suggested by SA Rugby as a precaution and it is wonderful that he is back."