Matfield and Serfontein rest for Bulls

 

Matfield has started every match for the Bulls this season, bar one game where he came off the bench against the Western Force a fortnight ago.

 

Meanwhile, Serfontein, who was named to play against the Crusaders last week even though he did not train due to a stiff hip flexor, will also earn a 'rest'.

 

The Springbok centre failed to pass a late fitness test before the match and was replaced by Burger Odendaal at the 11th hour.

 

Odendaal was set to start his first game for the Blue Bulls in the Vodacom Cup after a lengthy injury lay-off for a knee ligament injury.

 

However, the 2014 Currie Cup star found himself called up to the Super Rugby match as a late replacement.

 

Odendaal had an impressive return to competitive rugby and it should be expected that he will again take up the No.12 jumper with Serfontein rested.

 

Meanwhile, another 11th-hour replacement that stepped up to make an indelible impression, Hanro Liebenberg, could again find himself in the starting XV.

 

Liebenberg replaced Arno Botha in the No.7 jersey late on Saturday after the Springbok loose forward failed to pass a fitness test.

 

Botha is expected to be out for another week as he continues to struggle with injuries, and as such, will not feature against the Lions.

 

The Bulls will also be without the services of loose forward Pieter Labuschagne, who will only play again on April 13 due to a chest injury.

 

Basil Short (concussion, one week), Akona Ndungane (broken hand, April 13) and Travis Ismaiel (ribs, April 13) will also be unavailable for selection.

 

A number of players have niggles following the win over the Crusaders.

 

Jesse Kriel (hip), JJ Engelbrecht (knee), Trevor Nyakane (sick), Jacques Engelbrecht (sick), Rudi Paige (hip), and Morne Mellett (back) will return to training Tuesday.

 

On the positive side, Jacques-Louis Potgieter and Callie Visagie both returned to training on Monday.

 

Potgieter has recovered from a hamstring strain and Visagie from injured ribs.

 

William Small Smith (foot, April 20), Pierre Schoeman (knee, July 31), Carlo Engelbrecht (ankle, six weeks), Bandise Maku (pectoral, July 31 ), Werner Kruger (ankle, six weeks), Duncan Matthews (knee, August 31 ), Ruan Steenkamp (knee, August 31), Ryan Nell (knee, August 31 ) are all on the long-term injury list.