Bulls face midfield crisis
The Bulls edged the Cheetahs 23-18 in Pretoria last Saturday, but appear to have paid a dear price for the victory.
Bulls team doctor Herman Rossouw confirmed on Monday that powerful young midfielder Burger Odendaal suffered a quad injury.
The 22-year-old suffered "complications" and underwent surgery on Sunday.
"He will be sidelined for about four weeks," Rossouw said in his weekly medical update.
Springboks Jan Serfontein and Rudy Paige also picked up "niggles" against the Cheetahs.
However, the team doctor believes they should return to training on Tuesday.
However, if there are any complications with Serfontein's injury it could leave the Bulls thin in the midfield when they head to Port Elizabeth to take on the Southern Kings on Saturday.
Jesse Kriel, who was moved to fullback for the outing against the Cheetahs in the absence of Warrick Gelant (fractured jaw), may well be required to move back to the midfield.
Gelant, who is recovering from the surgery that was required after suffering a fractured jaw against the Sunwolves the week before, is expected to be sidelined for another five weeks.
It means SP Marais, who was signed on trial from the Kings, may well be given a starting birth against his former franchise.
Three players who returned from long-term injuries last week – Pieter Labuschagne, Deon Stegmann and Dean Greyling – all played at the weekend and are available for selection ahead of the trip to PE.
