Bulls are playing the waiting game

INJURY UPDATE: The winless Bulls are searching for answers after their fourth-successive loss – which sees them rooted to the bottom of the Super Rugby standings.

To rub salt into the already festering wounds – in the wake of 24-39 loss to the Jaguares at the weekend – coach Pote Human has no clear answer over the availability of his regular captain.

While the Bulls, with just a solitary losing bonus point to show for the opening four matches, have no new injuries – doubt remains over skipper Burger Odendaal.

The midfielder started running at training on Monday, after he injured his ankle against the Blues two weeks ago.

A call on his availability – for the Round Six encounter with the Highlanders on Saturday – will only be made later in the week.

Meanwhile, Sevens Springbok Tim Agaba remains sidelined with a neck injury.

He consulted with a specialist on Monday to determine the course of action.

The coach, Human, again bemoaned the “unacceptable” poor standards of the team’s displays.

Poor defence and equally dismal set-pieces are his main concerns.

“We were bullied up front and were outplayed physically,” Human said in the wake of the weekend’s loss.

“For me, I will try and keep the players positive,” he said, adding: “However, this is not good enough, not for the Bulls.

“I will have a hard look at myself personally and then at the players at what we can do there, but I am very disappointed.”