Garth April will do his rehab with the Vodacom Bulls after suffering a shoulder injury in Japan that will require surgery.
The 27-year-old flyhalf, who played for the NTT Shining Arcs, will be sidelined for four to six months.
April had signed a six-month contract with the Bulls, but failed a medical test after arriving in Pretoria.
‘I am very disappointed, because I most definitely feel like I have unfinished business in Super Rugby,’ he said during a lengthy interview with Sport24. ‘The last time I had a proper run in Super Rugby was in 2017 with the Sharks. I only played one game of Super Rugby last year and I was looking forward to playing at the Bulls.
‘Before the Bulls signed me, my agent told them about my shoulder, and that I had injured it playing club rugby in Japan. And they said, “OK, we have to do a medical before we sign the contract”. However, I already signed the contract before we did the medical.
‘I took the medical and then the specialist said that I have torn my labrum in my shoulder, and I need to undergo surgery. The injury would keep me out for four to six months and I had signed a six-month contract.
‘It’s obviously disappointing, but I’m going to have the surgery and will then do my rehab in Pretoria with the Bulls. They are definitely going to support me through the rehab process.’