“The only thing I was worried about was breathing. I tried to speak to the doctor to explain what had happened but there was nothing coming out.”

Cornell du Preez is now able to talk about the “terrifying” ordeal that took place on the opening day of Worcester Warriors’ season.

But there was a stage when the 28-year-old’s only form of communication was to scribble down notes as he searched for answers from doctors.

Du Preez spent six weeks in a hospital bed, four of those unable to speak as he faced a long road to recovery from a fractured voice box, also known as the larynx.

The horror injury was sustained just a few minutes into his competitive debut at Sixways when his throat smashed into Wasps lock Joe Launchbury’s knee.

“It was a bit terrifying to be honest,” du Preez said.

“As soon as it happened I tried to stay calm which is difficult to do when something like that happens.

“But you have to do that because if you freak yourself out it gets even harder.”

After receiving help from Warriors’ medical team and then being whisked to hospital du Preez underwent surgery.

However at this point there were fears the Scotland international’s career could be over.

“At the beginning the doctors said they didn’t know (whether I would be able to play again) as they hadn’t dealt with something like this in a contact sport like rugby,” du Preez said.

“Initially it was about getting your best quality of life and getting you breathing and talking again.

“As the months went on I improved and things recovered a lot better.

“I had a lot of scans over all those months and then the doctor said everything had healed as well as it could do and (my throat) had the same robustness as everyone else.

“When I heard that I was pretty happy I would be able to do what I have been doing since I was young.

“Yes, there were (fears over retirement). Not from my side but more from the doctors not being happy with how I was recovering.

“It’s not a decision you want to take but you have to look at yourself and your health as well but things have recovered really well and playing again was always on my mind.”

On being unable to speak, du Preez said: “I am a pretty quiet guy anyway and I can keep quiet for quite a while.

“But it was frustrating at times, especially if you want to get a point across or ask the doctors questions about what was going on. I just kept writing stuff down and they were very helpful in explaining stuff to me until I had no more questions left.

“It was a tough time for (my girlfriend, Anel) as well.

“She was in the Cayman Islands when it happened and I sent her a message saying ‘I think you need to get a flight back’.

“By the time I woke up (in hospital) she was there. Just having someone there was a big help.”

During his time in hospital du Preez said he was overwhelmed by messages from loved ones and team-mates from “all over the world”.

The former Edinburgh number eight also revealed Launchbury had been in touch with him.

“He messaged me on Instagram,” du Preez said.

“He wasn’t aware what had happened (at the time) because it was just such a freak thing and I ran off.

“He was very supportive.

“He said we need to catch up if we play against each other again.”

Director of rugby Alan Solomons did not expect to see du Preez in action for Warriors this season.

But after returning to training two months ago the resilient back rower is now in the mix for selection ahead of Worcester’s final five Gallagher Premiership games.

Du Preez looks set to play in Warriors’ European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Harlequins on Saturday (8.15pm) and he cannot wait to put his body on the line.

“It is weird that I miss having contact,” du Preez said.

“When I look at games I don’t know how people run into each other like that but it is something you miss when you don’t have that anymore.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work getting back to full fitness.

“I’ll just be happy to be back out there again.

“The occasion won’t be something I can control. It’s just another game for me. I like being able to play again.”