The Brumbies are giving no guarantees about skipper Rocky Elsom's recovery from chronic hamstring problems, but medical staff are confident he'll be back in time for the tour to South Africa in late April.

Reports on Monday suggested May could be a best-case return scenario for the Wallabies skipper, but club physio Tim McGrath said the Brumbies hope to have Elsom back a little sooner.

The Brumbies have their second bye in round 10, and Elsom should return for a two-match South African tour, starting against the Cheetahs on April 29.

However, McGrath admitted that with a serious tendon injury like Elsom's, hiccups could threaten his Super Rugby season.

"At the moment we're confident that Rocky can continue the progress he's made in recent weeks. If that's the case, he will be available for the Brumbies this season," said McGrath.

"Rocky has specific goals he needs to achieve along the way in his rehabilitation in order to be considered ready to return to team training and playing.

"Each rehabilitation stage is based on successful completion of the previous phase, so based on this we'll be able to reassess our time frames as we go."

Elsom was initially due back on the park for round six, and the uncertain nature of tendon recovery as opposed to muscle recovery is the reason for the delay.

As Wallabies captain, Elsom needs to ensure he's in a fit state for the World Cup, however, McGrath denied the 28-year-old was being wrapped in cotton wool for September.

"We're looking at getting Rocky back on the field when he can tolerate a training load and play week in and week out without re-exacerbating his injury," said McGrath.

"At the moment he's not there yet.

"Although it obviously is a World Cup year, both Rocky and the Brumbies aren't approaching his rehabilitation any differently to the other injured players we have at the moment."

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