VIDEO: Bulls' Boks still on the sidelines
INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls, out of the play-off running, can still play an important role in the Super Rugby competition.
They can help their compatriots – the Lions and Sharks – by knocking over the Jaguares at Loftus Versfeld this coming Saturday.
However, they will have to do so without a number of key players.
Regular captain Burger Odendaal (calf strain) and prop Trevor Nyakane (rib) have not recovered from their respective injuries and will not be available for selection.
Both, along with wing Travis Ismaiel, missed the trip to Singapore last week – where the Bulls lost (37-42) to the Sunwolves, the second successive year they lost to the Japanese team.
Ismaiel will take part in selected training sessions this week, but will not be available for selection.
The squad has been bolstered by the return of Matthys Basson (concussion) and Marnitz Boshoff (meniscus surgery), with both players available for selection this weekend.
The absence of a host of senior players – including injured Boks Lodewyk de Jager and Lizo Gqoboka, both out for the rest of the season with injuries – is costing the Bulls dearly.
They are joined on the long-term injury list by Roelof Smit (knee), Frans van Wyk (ankle) and Hendre Stassen (ankle).
Also out for the rest of the year, are Sevens Bok Tim Agaba and Gerhard Steenekamp.
“There are many injuries,” coach John Mitchell said, adding that some players aren’t “match-fit”.
“There’s also one player who arrived overweight and did not meet our standards,” a furious Mitchell said.
“In this manner, we won’t move forward in this competition.”
