IT'S been a long and tortuous road but Saturday will represent a new beginning for Worcester's biggest name acquisition.

Thinus Delport steps out of the shadows to start his first Zurich Premiership game since December after an injury which many players struggle to ever overcome.

Two operations and a punishing rehabilitation programme later, the 29-year-old is finally ready to re-establish himself as one of world rugby's top full backs.

Tomorrow's Sixways clash with Bath is a vital one for both clubs but, for the Springbok, it is a fresh chapter in his life.

"It will be my first start since December 28 and, in a sense, it's sad I suffered the injury," he said.

"However, in hindsight, it has been a good thing for me to get away from rugby in order to get the hunger back. I've played in 20-minute spells so far and I've been bursting to get on to the field. Now I just can't wait for tomorrow.

"You've got to see the positives about every experience. I'm stronger than I was before because I've worked on that aspect. It's almost the start of a new career for me."

It's hardly an injury you would wish on someone. Delport injured medial ligaments, tore his anterior cruciate ligaments and dislocated his knee cap in Gloucester's game with Harlequins last December. It was a black day in Delport's career.

Professional sportsmen do, of course, have the luxury of full-time physios and medical opinion, but his recovery is still a commendable achievement.

So, after putting himself through the mill day after day on the road to recovery, you could understand his angst when Gloucester failed to come up with the goods when his Kingsholm contract expired. It once again underlined the fickle nature of professional sport. Delport, in Gloucester's eyes, had gone from hero to zero in quick time.

So, when Worcester came calling in the summer, the 18-times capped South African knew he had a move to make.

"I wish somebody could explain to me what happened with Gloucester," he said. "They showed interest and made promises but, at the end of the day, they just didn't come to the party.

"Ultimately, what they offered me was totally ridiculous. They weren't prepared to take the risk with me whereas John Brain and Andy Keast were more than happy to take that choice. They were willing to back me and I'm very grateful to them both for giving me the chance. It's my biggest motivation to get back and show to everyone that I can reach the levels I was at before."

His cameo at Vicarage Road on Sunday certainly seemed to hint at that. Delport was the very definition of composure at a pivotal moment, 10 minutes before the end of Worcester's bruising encounter with Saracens, where he claimed a high ball, got it away and then took a big hit before springing to his feet for the chase.

In that instant, it was crystal clear that, physically and psychologically, he had broken through the barriers.

"The first barrier you have to overcome is a psychological one," he said. "Obviously, after such a bad injury, it is in the back of your mind but I've done a lot of work on change of directions and working from contact drills.

"I was so looking forward to actually getting involved in the Saracens game. I'm so hungry to get back to the top."

Worcester, you suspect, are quite happy to give him the chance.