Johan Ackermann has revealed when injured hooker Akker van der Merwe, and several Springbok reinforcements, could return to action for the Bulls.
The three-cap Bok, famously nicknamed the ‘Angry Warthog’ by former Bok coach Nick Mallett, has not played for the Bulls since January, when he suffered a neck injury during a scrum in their Investec Champions Cup pool match against Pau in France.
However, Ackermann confirmed on Thursday that the 35-year-old’s neck is no longer an issue, with a calf injury now delaying his comeback.
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“He’s actually only struggling with his calf now, since before the All Blacks game [in August]. So the neck is fine. Before the calf injury, he scrummed and had contact 100%,” the Bulls coach said.
“The only challenge is he re-injured the calf just before we went on tour. His progress at the moment is good. That’s the feedback we’ve got.
“Everybody who stayed behind – Embrose Papier, Akker and Sergeal Petersen – are all tracking nicely with their injuries.
“But I doubt Akker will be ready when we’re back. Hopefully we’ll see him soon.”
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While Van der Merwe may have to wait a little longer, Ackermann will soon have several Springboks available to increase his depth at No 2.
Hooker Johan Grobbelaar, loose forward Marco van Staden (who provided cover at hooker for the Bulls last season) and utility front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels all started in the Boks’ defeat to the Wallabies in Perth last Sunday.
“Luckily, by next week we will have Marco, Grobbies [Grobbelaar], Jan, everybody who can play hooker, back in the squad,” Ackermann said.
Juann Else will wear the Bulls No 2 jersey against Munster on Saturday night with Janco Uys on the bench.
The Bulls host the Lions at Loftus on 10 October.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Bulls await ‘Angry Warthog’ return appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Johan Ackermann has revealed when injured hooker Akker van der Merwe, and several Springbok reinforcements, could return to action for the Bulls.
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