It was a long time coming. After nine months out, Wiehahn Herbst returned to action last Friday night at Kingspan Stadium, and despite the agonising 14-15 defeat to Munster, the South African was happy to finally don an Ulster jersey again.
The tighthead prop had not featured for the senior side since January, when he suffered a foot injury in the Champions Cup game versus Saracens, but injuries to Rodney Ah You and Ross Kane meant that he was thrust into the starting team sooner than expected…
“Rodney and Ross have done a great job so far this season. Unfortunately, they're both injured and that gave me a chance to come into the team. I've missed the crowd and missed the boys. It was quite overwhelming to be out there again but I really enjoyed it.
“It was a long shift - the worst was the first ten minutes - but after that it was fine. I got cramps at around 65 minutes but that's to be expected after nine months out. There was no feeling at all from the injury. I had a good rehab and a good return so I feel good. It was just great being back.”
Herbst was pleased with how the pack performed against Munster, particularly against a set piece that was so dominant the week before against a powerful Glasgow outfit.
“Munster have a strong front-row. They've had a good few games but we as a pack did really well, at scrum time especially. It was good to be back in.
“Some of the other elements of our play weren’t great, but it's not panic stations for us. Small errors have crept into our game and we know what to do to fix them.”
There was widespread admiration for the Ulster players and management who joined their opposition in the changing rooms for post-match beers and protein shakes. It was deemed as a nice gesture following the loss of Anthony Foley, who had tragically passed away just two weeks previously.
“That is what rugby is about,” explained Herbst. “The camaraderie and the friendship afterwards. You can do battle with each other on the field but afterwards you can have a beer and talk about the things that matter.”
While the 28-year-old was visibly thrilled to be back on the Kingspan Stadium turf, he admitted his spell on the sidelines was tough on him mentally:
“It was difficult and it gets to you, but you have to find ways to stay positive,” he explained.
“We have a great physio team here and they help you to get through. Even if you're not playing, you still feel part of it, the boys keep you inside the group. There's been quite a few injuries so there's always somebody who can help you and relate to you.”
Herbst has now turned his attentions to tonight’s clash versus Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield, and he is expecting a tough challenge against the Scots, who suffered defeat against Zebre last time out.
“They will be hurting from that defeat and will play with a lot of pride at home. It's never easy going there, but especially after what happened to them over the weekend. They'll be fired up to play against us so it'll be tough.
“Murrayfield is a big intimidating stadium. It’s different - it's not Kingspan Stadium but I don't think there's anywhere in the world like here. It's a difficult atmosphere if you can say that. It's so big but so few people are there. It's unique.”
The tighthead prop had not featured for the senior side since January, when he suffered a foot injury in the Champions Cup game versus Saracens, but injuries to Rodney Ah You and Ross Kane meant that he was thrust into the starting team sooner than expected…
“Rodney and Ross have done a great job so far this season. Unfortunately, they're both injured and that gave me a chance to come into the team. I've missed the crowd and missed the boys. It was quite overwhelming to be out there again but I really enjoyed it.
“It was a long shift - the worst was the first ten minutes - but after that it was fine. I got cramps at around 65 minutes but that's to be expected after nine months out. There was no feeling at all from the injury. I had a good rehab and a good return so I feel good. It was just great being back.”
Herbst was pleased with how the pack performed against Munster, particularly against a set piece that was so dominant the week before against a powerful Glasgow outfit.
“Munster have a strong front-row. They've had a good few games but we as a pack did really well, at scrum time especially. It was good to be back in.
“Some of the other elements of our play weren’t great, but it's not panic stations for us. Small errors have crept into our game and we know what to do to fix them.”
There was widespread admiration for the Ulster players and management who joined their opposition in the changing rooms for post-match beers and protein shakes. It was deemed as a nice gesture following the loss of Anthony Foley, who had tragically passed away just two weeks previously.
“That is what rugby is about,” explained Herbst. “The camaraderie and the friendship afterwards. You can do battle with each other on the field but afterwards you can have a beer and talk about the things that matter.”
While the 28-year-old was visibly thrilled to be back on the Kingspan Stadium turf, he admitted his spell on the sidelines was tough on him mentally:
“It was difficult and it gets to you, but you have to find ways to stay positive,” he explained.
“We have a great physio team here and they help you to get through. Even if you're not playing, you still feel part of it, the boys keep you inside the group. There's been quite a few injuries so there's always somebody who can help you and relate to you.”
Herbst has now turned his attentions to tonight’s clash versus Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield, and he is expecting a tough challenge against the Scots, who suffered defeat against Zebre last time out.
“They will be hurting from that defeat and will play with a lot of pride at home. It's never easy going there, but especially after what happened to them over the weekend. They'll be fired up to play against us so it'll be tough.
“Murrayfield is a big intimidating stadium. It’s different - it's not Kingspan Stadium but I don't think there's anywhere in the world like here. It's a difficult atmosphere if you can say that. It's so big but so few people are there. It's unique.”