Another Bok out of QF clash at Loftus
NEWS: The Bulls will be without their star Springbok wing Canan Moodie when they host the quarterfinal of the United Rugby Championship against Benetton at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.
In a social media post by the Bulls Moodie told supporters he was not available to play this weekend due to injury.
Moodie got injured in the match against the Sharks in Durban last weekend and had to get treatment on the field.
He has been playing with a heavily strapped leg for the past few weeks and was asked about it in a media briefing earlier in the week.
He denied that he was seriously injured and put it down to bumps and bruises.
“It’s just bumps and bruises.
“We are strapping it so I can make sure I can get on the field and play and contribute to the team,” the star wing said.
“Nothing hectic, just a bit of precaution with the strapping and ensuring I can function fully and go 100 when needed.”
In the video, posted by the Bulls on Wednesday afternoon, Moodie said:
“Unfortunately I won’t be able to play this weekend due to injury. But I want to encourage everyone to come out and help me support the boys.
“And hopefully we can pull this one through”.
‼️A messege from Canan Moodie‼️
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Another Springbok who will likely miss the encounter on Saturday is flank Marco van Staden, who also got injured against the Sharks.
Jake White, the Bulls’ Director of Rugby, confirmed at the post-match press conference that Van Staden would probably not be available to play against Benetton.
The flank recently returned to the playing field after he sustained a Medial Collateral Ligament injury in the humbling 14-47 loss to Leinster in the URC.
“Unfortunately at the back end of a competition, it starts to get tougher and tougher. It starts to get more and more physical as the margins get smaller. And it does come with the risk of losing a few guys,” White said.
“I would think that a guy like Marco won’t be available next week but the others seem to be ok. They seemed like it was a bump and a bruise.
“But it’s always difficult. Tomorrow morning when you get up and get back home and you get to the medical room, things that you think aren’t serious can overnight flare up or swell,” the coach explained.