Plenty Boks, but no Stegmann
Thirteen Springboks will return to the Bulls fold this week as they start preparations for the final leg of their Super Rugby league fixtures, but Bok loose forward Deon Stegmann remains on the sidelines.
Bulls team doctor Org Strauss confirmed that all 13 players who were part of the national squad during the three-Test series against England received medical clearance and should be available for selection for the encounter with the Cheetahs in Pretoria.
However, Stegmann, who fractured his arm during the Bulls' tour to Australasia, will sit out this week and could return for the Bulls when they travel to Durban next week to face the Sharks.
Fullback Zane Kirchner, who injured his knee while on Springbok duty in the opening Test against England, has also been cleared.
Strauss also confirmed the availability of Frik Kirsten, who fractured his hand on the Australasian trip.
However, the bulk of the team will come from their returning Boks.
Wynand Olivier, Morné Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Jacques Potgieter and Juandré Kruger all featured in South Africa's starting XV that played to a 1`4-all draw against England in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.
Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe and Bjorn Basson (the latter unused) were on the bench in PE – while JJ Engelbrecht, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Jano Vermaak were part of the squad but not involved in the matchday 22.
Other injured players still out of action include Lionel Cronje (pectoral muscle, six weeks), Fudge Mabeta (knee, three months) and Rossouw de Klerk (knee, one week).
