Thwala had an operation in February after breaking his ankle during a reserve league game against Mamelodi Sundowns.

And while the 31-year-old, who has also represented Orlando Pirates, is on the mend, he is wary of rushing his return.

"I have just started jogging again after taking a bit of a break to give this ankle enough rest," Thwala tells KickOff.com.

"The reality is that I have to be extremely patient with this injury because I don’t want to get myself into a situation where I rush back into the game only to worsen my condition.

"Of course, I want to play football again but I want to go back once I feel I have properly recovered. 

"One thing for sure with me is that this injury will not pull me down because in my career I have always had to fight my way back into the game. 

"I know that it was scary when I broke my ankle during that reserve league match against Mamelodi Sundowns which led to me having an operation but I am encouraged by the progress that I have made since then, though I have to be really patient. 

"The fact that I am now jogging is a positive sign."

Prior to the injury, which happened during the 2013 Afcon-enforced break in domestic action, Thwala played 14 games for Matsatsantsa, who are helping him with his recovery despite him no longer being contracted to them.

“As long as I get to recover from this injury I will not have a problem with playing football. Playing football come natural with me,” concludes the ex-South Africa international.