Bok boost for Bulls
Springboks Zane Kirchner and Arno Botha have been declared fit for action and will be available for selection for the Bulls' opening match of the 2013 Super Rugby season, against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, February 22.
Kirchner missed the team's final warm-up match against the Cheetahs last Saturday due to a back strain, but it was precautionary and the experienced player will be in line to play in his 72nd Super Rugby match next week.
Botha had a hamstring niggle, but has also being declared fit to fully participate in the last two weeks of pre-season, Bulls team doctor Org Strauss said on Monday.
The injury list shows a couple of new faces following the two matches in Polokwane where the Cheetahs and the Blue Bulls Limpopo teams were defeated.
Akona Ndungane injured an ankle and will sit out for a week, while Ulrich Beyers will train again on Friday.
Young flank Jacques du Plessis will sit out for two weeks due to a shoulder injury and Dewald Potgieter, Mornè Mellett and Dries Swanepoel will sit out training on Monday.
Tony Jantjies (groin, two weeks), Dawie Steyn (leg, one week), Wilhelm Steenkamp (AC joint, three weeks) and Marcel van der Merwe (knee rehab, end of May) are other players expected back at some point, whilst Dean Greyling is out of his moon boot and his recovery from a stress fracture in his foot could see him being considered for the Stormers clash. Louis Fouchè (hamstring) should also be back next week.
