The Vodacom Bulls will have to do without their co-captains Elrigh Louw and Ruan Nortje for a significant period of time, while pivot Johan Goosen will be out for at least two months, placing a damper on the team’s campaign.
Louw and Nortje were injured in the derby against the Emirates Lions, while Goosen hobbled off against Stade Francais.
Both Nortje and Goosen are expected to be ready for the Vodacom Bulls EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 match against Bayonne but Louw’s return looks to be a lot longer before he takes the field.
According to a team release on the injuries, Nortje sustained a knee ligament injury and “has already begun his non-invasive recovery and rehabilitation programme which is expected to be around 8 to 10 weeks long.”
Goosen had an operation to clean out the cartilage around his knee and is also scheduled to be out for between 8-10 weeks. His recovery is in week two, so one week ahead of Nortje.
Louw, who was operated on the same night he was injured, has to have another operation once the swelling subsides on his knee.
“After consultation with a specialist, the 25-year-old is scheduled to have his operation in the coming week or two and his rehabilitation programme will only become clear then,” the team announced.
“The club wishes all three players well as they work towards full rehabilitation. At this stage, it is expected that all three will make full recoveries, and no further updates will be given on their respective journeys to allow them the space to focus fully on their programmes.”
The Bulls will welcome back the likes of Ruan Vermaak and Marco van Staden this week from injury, and both will be available for selection.
They will need to select a new captain against the Stormers, with Marcell Coetzee, Nizaam Carr, Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe and a few others in the running.