Mack Hansen sets Springbok target and says he should be ready for Connacht return in ‘another two months or so‘

The winger damaged his shoulder against Munster in early January, which ruled him out of the Six Nations, as well as a large chunk of Connacht’s campaign.

Hansen underwent surgery, and although he is on track in terms of his recovery, Connacht and Ireland supporters will have to wait a while longer to see him back in both green jerseys.

"I'm about just over halfway, so I still have like another two months or so,” Hansen said this afternoon.

“Aiming for around May, I think, to be back for then. Still a little bit to go, but all tracking in the right place.

“It’s been a bit of a pain, not gonna lie. Obviously I’d like to be in contention for the Six Nations this year, watching how good the guys have been doing as well, hasn’t made it easier.

“Saying that, I’m absolutely stoked for them. I was able to see a few of them this week, and that kinda helped. It was kinda nice to be back in there and know that you’re not forgotten almost.”

Hansen was invited into Ireland camp on Monday and Tuesday by Andy Farrell, while the Aussie-born flyer will attend Saturday’s Six Nations decider against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

All going well, Hansen will be back for Connacht’s run-in, which would ensure he is in the mix to make his return for Ireland against the world champions Springboks in July

“Yeah, yeah, just back with Connacht, get a couple of games together and then if I can play well in that, hopefully make the tour,” Hansen continued.

“But I just want to start playing footy again really, I’m not thinking too far ahead.

“I’ve hurt this shoulder before, that was a good while ago. Probably not like this in a professional setting, this is probably the longest one (spell out). So, I have been lucky enough in the scheme of things.”

Hansen added that there were no ill-feelings towards Munster back-row John Hodnett, who was involved in the breakdown incident that led to the Connacht man’s injury.

“So, I was just going for a poach and I was just getting cleaned out. It was a freak accident.

“There was nothing too out of the ordinary that happened, kind of the angle the guy came in it was just unlucky more than anything.

“There was no malicious intent or anything like that involved with it. He (Hodnett) did actually leave a message afterwards seeing how I was and all that.

“Yeah, it was just one of those things. It was just part of footy really. And then ended up getting the Latarjet (operation to stabilise shoulder) done.

“So a couple of screws in there and I’ve been told the shoulder is as good as the bone and can’t be moved again so fingers crossed, fingers crossed turned into the immovable object I guess you could say.

“It’s been tough enough, I guess,” Hansen added.

“Since I’ve been over here, I’ve had a pretty good run so to slow down I guess has been tough. I’m rehabbing well and my shoulder is coming back to normal, so in my mind I’ve just got a couple more months and then things are back to normal sort of. I’m just going to try and keep my head down and do what I’m doing.”