Jake 'feels sorry' for Johan Goosen as right Bok opportunity comes at the wrong time

Bulls mentor Jake White feels "really sorry" for Johan Goosen as his star flyhalf's long-held dream of a return to the Springbok team comes at arguably the most inopportune time.

The 30-year-old playmaker, who won't feature in Friday night's URC battle with Benetton due to him completing his concussion protocol, is back in South Africa and will join up with the national team for a training camp in Stellenbosch on Sunday.

However, he does so on the back of having precious little game time under the belt and a lack of form after his recovery from an 11-month injury layoff.

Compounding the situation is that Goosen could eminently be thrust into a playing role on next month's year-end tour to Europe as he's expected to be Damian Willemse's deputy in the No 10 jersey following confirmation that Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies will both be absent. 

"I feel sorry for Johan because I think people have this expectation that he's just going to arrive on the field, wave a wand and be the best player in the competition," said White.

"He was on fire last season and then he got injured. I have never coached a guy that comes back from an 11-month layoff and just starts pulling the strings again. I don't even think the best players in the world have done it and I'm referring to overseas best players here."

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The franchise's director of rugby though admits that there's no use being dogmatic about the situation and that Goosen will simply have to buckle up and enjoy the ride.

"He has a burning desire to get back into the national team. Obviously, I don't believe he's where he wants to be in terms of his match fitness and form. But it's like anything