Kriel's Bulls farewell cut short
NEWS: One of the Bulls’ stalwarts, David Kriel, has played his final game for the Pretoria franchise, as head coach Johan Ackermann delivered some unfortunate news.
The coach confirmed that the utility back has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a serious Achilles injury.
“David is unfortunately finished for the season,” Ackermann told reporters ahead of the clash against Benetton at Loftus Versfeld.
“It was quite a serious Achilles injury. He had surgery on Wednesday, and he’s on the road to recovery now.
“However, he’s out for a couple of months.”
The injury brings an end to Kriel’s Bulls career, as he is set to join Top 14 club La Rochelle at the end of the season.
After six seasons at the Pretoria side, his last appearance for the Bulls came at fullback against the Scarlets in April.
*READ: Bulls team to face Benetton
Meanwhile, Junior Springbok winger Cheswill Jooste is also sidelined with a hamstring strain, although there is optimism that he could return later in the play-offs.
The Bulls coach admitted the Junior Springboks are keen to have Jooste available, but injuries in Pretoria may force the franchise to retain the talented winger.
“I have a really good relationship with [Junior Bok head coach] Kevin Foote. I had the privilege of working with them last year.
“However, we are currently in a crisis at wing. He returned and picked up a slight ankle injury, then returned for Scarlets, and now he has picked up a hamstring injury again against Zebre.
“With the situation that we are currently in with David Kriel and Sebastian de Klerk, we will have to ask nicely for him to remain at the Bulls for the play-offs.”
Jooste is expected to spend four weeks on the sidelines.
“He is injured for four weeks, and this is week one, so he might return for the final if we make it.
“He is a guy who recovers really well, and that is great because he might come back for the semifinal.”
The coach also revealed that Kurt-Lee Arendse and captain Marcell Coetzee will miss this weekend’s showdown due to flu.
Arendse has been replaced by Devon Williams, who shifts to the right wing to accommodate Sergeal Petersen on the left, while Jeandre Rudolph comes in at flank to accommodate the absence of Coetzee.
“Unfortunately, Marcell and Kurt-Lee have got a bit of flu and couldn’t recover in time.
“They’re still under the weather, so that is why we had to switch it up.”
