Bulls' injury positives

 

There is some positive news though, Jurgen Visser and Jacques-Louis Potgieter's injuries are minor and they will both train with the Bulls on Tuesday according to team doctor Org Strauss.

 

"Dewald Potgieter is out with a bad bicep tear, he has gone back to South Africa and will have a scan on Tuesday, Deon Stegmann also has a bad tear in his groin so he is also out," Strauss said

 

MRI scans on Potgieter and Stegmann will fully determine the extent of the injuries sustained by the players against the Hurricanes last weekend, but both are suspected to be out an extended period of time.

 

These critical injuries to the Bulls' pack would suggest a return to the field of veteran lock Victor Matfield.

 

Matfield was initially supposed to be part of the coaching staff for the overseas leg of the Bulls' campaign but these injuries and a reshuffle could see him back at lock.

 

Stegmann is a big loss to the Bulls, their season turn-around coincided with the openside flank returning to the setup and it was clear on the weekend that after his departure the Bulls looseforward combination was very unbalanced.

 

The other remaining options for coach Ludeke to replace Stegmann at loose forward are Jono Ross, Jacques Engelbrecht, Jacques du Plessis and Grant Hattingh – none of which could be classified as a traditional openside flank.