Fearing the worst, the Vodacom Bulls were hit by a blow this week with news that speedster Cheswill Jooste has a broken cheekbone, and any hopes that he would have had of making the Springbok team for the Nations’ Championship fixtures have also been dashed.
There is still concern about Bok flyhalf Handre Pollard, while the Bulls will rather hold off on bringing another Bok - Canan Moodie - back to action as they face their last game before the November break.
According to a team injury update, Jooste has been recommended “extended rest”, which may mean he is unlikely to play until after the November break.
“Jooste has undergone an operation for a broken cheekbone. Having been concussed during the match against Ulster, he faces a mandatory two-week stand-down under HIA protocols, and extended rest has been recommended,” the statement said.
Pollard will undergo a scan on his hamstring, which was injured in the win over Ulster on Saturday and the outcome is likely to determine whether he will tour with the Springboks as well.
A hamstring is notorious for its unpredictability, and Pollard was in superb form before he got injured. While the Boks have other options for the 10 jersey, it may make more sense to rest him as well.
Rassie Erasmus is expected to name his squad for the four-week tour later this week, and the Boks do have Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok and even Damian Willemse if they need him.
Moodie was due to return this week but the Bulls have decided not to consider him for selection.
Coach Johan Ackermann seemed to confirm this after the game on Saturday.
“Canan has got a return-to-play protocol with his concussion. Because of his past, we are taking it a little bit easier, so we will take it week by week and see where he is.
“He did well this week on his return, but we’ll reassess on Monday where he is.”
On Monday, the team update confirmed he would not be considered for selection: “Moodie has returned to training under the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) return-to-play protocols. He will not be considered for selection this week.”
XAMLASHE AND ABRAHAMS ALSO UNAVAILABLE
Having already lost scrumhalf Embrose Papier for a number of weeks after an ankle injury that required surgery, the Bulls also don’t have midfielder Sango Xamlashe available, as he was concussed in the game and needs to follow the return-to-play protocols.
The other name on the injury list is winger Thaakir Abrahams, who has a hamstring injury but is expected to be back in a week’s time.
On Saturday, Ackermann was a bit down about the injuries.
“It’s our first game where we had a fair share of casualties,” he said after the match.
“The positive is that they are probably not muscular, or it’s not long-term stuff. It’s all head knocks, and it’s probably Handré’s that’s the bigger one. It’s a hamstring, and time will tell how long that’s going to be.”
The Bulls have other options. Luan Giliomee and Curwin Bosch can both cover Pollard’s spot at 10, as can Willie le Roux if necessary while at 13 for Xamlashe, Stedman Gans can return, or they can use their new acquisition of Griquas star Mnombo Zwelendaba.
For Jooste, there are a few options, including stalwarts Devon Williams and Sergeal Petersen, wing/fullback Hakeem Kunene and new acquisition Dylan Maart, who came off the bench on Saturday.