Bulls lose Potgieter
by Brenden Nel 31 January 2012, 11:20
With so many off-field stories floating around surrounding their unhappiness with Heyneke Meyer departing to become Springbok coach, it could be easy to forget the Vodacom Bulls will start their Vodacom Super Rugby preparations this weekend against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth.
And without a ball being kicked in anger, former Kings loose forward Jacques Potgieter has been ruled out of the clash with a back strain.
Potgieter, who made a massive impact in the Absa Currie Cup since joining the Blue Bulls last year, is expected to be back in action in a month’s time, where the Bulls will need him ahead of a tough campaign.
The Bulls are set to name a second-string team for the clash -- one which they lost last year as well with a similar squad -- and rest almost all of their front-line players.
The Bulls have one other pre-season friendly before they head into the Super Rugby season, with a match against the Cheetahs in Polokwane on February 11.
Other players nursing injuries include Akona Ndungane (hamstring) and Werner Kruger (back) while Wynand Oliver (wrist), Morné Mellett (shoulder), Warwick Tecklenburg (shoulder), Fudge Mabeta (knee) and Rossouw de Klerk (foot) are on the sidelines for longer. Mabeta and De Klerk are not expected to play Super Rugby this season.