WP pivot Wolhuter on overcoming long-term injury: 'The physical was easier than the mental'

Western Province flyhalf prodigy Kade Wolhuter admitted that recovering from the mental challenge proved tougher than the physical recovery following his ACL tear two years ago.

Wolhuter was on a rocketing career trajectory, looking every bit a Stormers starting flyhalf for the United Rugby Championship (URC) before his injury during the tournament’s precursor, the Rainbow Cup SA, against the Sharks in 2021.

Since then, the Paul Roos Gymnasium product went through a recovery process that took a mental and physical toll.

READ | Rugby's concussion 'pandemic' at root of possible lower tackle laws: 'Numbers are too high'

But he has returned to hopefully claim his place among the most talented WP backs coming out of the healthy assembly line, leading the team to an opening Currie Cup win over the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend.

"I was physically out for nine months. I don’t think I was prepared for how long I was actually going to be out for, in terms of how long it was going to take me to find form again and regain confidence," Wolhuter said.

"The physical side of it was the actual easy part. The mental side was a bit longer. It’s been about 22 months now post the operation and I’m finally feeling confident.

"I feel confident in the 10 jersey, starting and being a general. For me, the mental side of it was a big thing, just finding form again.

"I didn’t get any URC games last season but got a few this season. I love being back out there and being a part of it. It’s great to be part of the Currie Cup campaign going forward and being part of a bigger picture.

"Things are looking good now, I’m injury-free and I’m looking forward to it."

Wolhuter said he had to make peace with his situation in order to put himself in a better mental