Unbeaten Bulls leave injured stars behind
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The unbeaten Bulls departed for a three-match European trip on Monday without three stars.
The Bulls, with 14 from a possible 15 points after three rounds, face Glasgow Warriors (next Saturday), Munster (October 15) and Benetton (October 21).
However, two Springboks and a Bok training squad member – who were injured in their 28-14 win over Irish province Connacht at Loftus Versfeld last Friday – were left at home.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels came on at hooker for Johan Grobbelaar in the 24th minute, after the burly front row forward damaged his ankle.
Lionel Mapoe replaced Canan Moodie at the same period in the game, after the Bok star injured his hamstring.
Chris Smith joined the fray in the 69th minute after Sibusiso Nkosi suffered a concussion.
The Bok flyer left the field after a cheap shot to the head by Connacht captain Jarrad Butler that went unpunished.
On the flip side, talented midfielder Harold Vorster has made a full recovery from injury, with Wandisile Simelane and Stedman Gans also included in the tour squad.
The injury at hooker means veteran World Cup-winning Springbok Bismarck du Plessis has been added to the touring party.
Bulls tour squad
FORWARDS: Gerhard Steenekamp, Simphiwe Matanzima, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Bismarck Du Plessis, Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Walt steenkamp, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje, Janko Swanepoel, Marcell Coetzee, WJ Steenkamp, Marco Van Staden, Reinhardt Ludwig, Elrigh Louw, Dylan Smith, Joe van Zyl
BACKS:Izak Burger, Embrose Papier, Johan Goosen, Chris Smith, Stedman Gans, Bernard Van der Linde, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Morné Steyn, Cornel Hendricks, Wandisile Simelane, Kurt-lee Arendse
