The Bulls are sweating on the fitness of Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard, with several other key players also on the injury list ahead of Saturday’s URC clash against the Scarlets.
Pollard has undergone a scan on a hamstring complaint, and the Bulls say his availability will be determined once the results have been assessed.
The 32-year-old has steered the Bulls with authority at No 10, and was successful with 13 out of 14 kicks at goal over the past two weekends. He left the field injured late in the match against Ulster on Saturday.
Fortunately, the Bulls have strong options at flyhalf in Curwin Bosch, Luan Giliomee and Willie le Roux, but few teams would be happy to lose a player of Pollard’s quality.
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The bigger blow may be the loss of Cheswill Jooste, the breakout star of the Bulls’ URC season. The winger has been one of the most exciting players in the squad, and his pace and finishing have put him at the centre of the team’s attacking game.
Jooste has had an operation for a broken cheekbone. He was also concussed in the win over Ulster, so he faces a mandatory two-week stand-down under HIA protocols.
The Bulls say extended rest has been recommended, which will keep him out of the Scarlets match and suggests a cautious return.
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The back three and midfield have taken a battering.
Canan Moodie has returned to training under HIA return-to-play protocols after his own concussion, but he will not be considered for selection this week. Coach Johan Ackermann has said the club is taking a careful approach with the versatile back.
And centre Sango Xamlashe, who was concussed in Saturday’s match, is also out of contention this week after completing HIA protocols.
Wing Thaakir Abrahams is on his way back, though, and expected to soon be fit from his hamstring injury.
At scrumhalf, Embrose Papier is recovering from an ankle operation and will be out for several weeks. That leaves Paul de Wet, Zak Burger and Keagan Johannes to carry the load in the No 9 jersey.
The Bulls’ medical team will continue to monitor all the affected players, and further updates will follow as their recovery progresses.
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Photo: Alche Greeff/Gallo Images
The post Handré in doubt, star back under the knife appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Bulls are sweating on the fitness of Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard, with several other key players also on the injury list ahead of Saturday’s URC clash against the Scarlets.
The post Handré in doubt, star back under the knife appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
