Springbok flyhalf out of June Tests
The Bulls pivot injured his right ankle during training on Thursday.
Pollard is yet to see a specialist regarding surgical procedure and the magnitude of the injury.
However, he is expected to be out for 10 weeks, which means he will miss the bulk of his side's Super Rugby season.
The lengthy lay-off also means that Pollard will miss the Springboks' Test series against France in June.
Tian Schoeman will now don the No.10 jersey against the Cheetahs on Saturday, while Francois Brummer occupies the space on the bench.
* Meanwhile it was confirmed that Bok midfielder Jan Serfontein will head abroad at the end of the season.
Bulls coach Nollis Marais confirmed that Serfontein had turned down offers from within South Africa.
Serfontein has been linked with offers from Toulon, Montpellier and Northampton Saints.
"It is difficult to keep like Jan [Serfontein] in South Africa," Marais said.
"We [the Bulls] offered him a contract and the Springboks offered him a contract.
"However, Jan feels there are better opportunities outside South Africa.
"He said he doesn't want to leave the Bulls, but he had to look at other opportunities."
Marais added that South Africa can't compete against the money the guys are offered overseas.
Serfontein returned to the field earlier this year after a lengthy injury lay-off and has played for the Bulls in this year's Super Rugby competition.
Serfontein has played 26 tests and will be hoping he plays in four more during the current international season if he is to reach the magical 30 Test mark and still be eligible for the Springboks while based overseas.
Bulls – revised: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Nick de Jager, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Martin Dreyer, 19 Rudolph Snyman, 20 Marnus Schoeman/Jacques Potgieter, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Francois Brummer, 23 Franco Naude.
Date: Saturday, April 22
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)
Following media reports today about my decision not to stay on in SA, I would like to state the facts.
— Jan Serfontein (@SerfonteinJan) April 20, 2017
I was happy and grateful with the generous contract extension offered by SA Rugby and the Bulls, made well in advance by both parties.
— Jan Serfontein (@SerfonteinJan) April 20, 2017
My decision to pursue playing opportunities abroad was personal, had nothing to do with media claims about unhappiness or uncertainty.
— Jan Serfontein (@SerfonteinJan) April 20, 2017
