Bok blow for Bulls; surgery confirmed
The Bulls will have to do without one of their Springboks for several weeks.
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Scrumhalf Embrose Papier will be sidelined after the 29-year-old underwent surgery for an ankle injury.
Coach Johan Ackermann confirmed the news on Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s URC clash against Ulster at Loftus Versfeld.
Papier, the SA URC Player of the Year, was hurt after coming off the bench in the Bulls’ 56-20 Champions Cup win over Stade Français in Pretoria last Saturday.
His absence leaves Paul de Wet and Zak Burger as the scrumhalf options in the match 23.
De Wet keeps the No.9 jersey and again partners flyhalf Handré Pollard.
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Ackermann has made wholesale changes to the forward pack for Saturday, but has kept his starting backline unchanged.