To say the Vodacom Bulls team selection hangs on a wing and a prayer may be a bit far fetched, but it certainly didn’t help that Canan Moodie joined the injured list this past weekend after coming off during the Vodacom United Rugby Championship win against the Dragons.
With three weeks left in the regular season, the Bulls will be hoping to have as many of their top players fit and ready for action as they contemplate a run in the playoffs, and Moodie limping off just after halftime was a concern that needs to be addressed.
The Springbok has had an impressive season and the Bulls definitely want him fit and ready for the remainder of the campaign, especially with the fact they already missed two speedsters in Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheswill Jooste against the Dragons with injury.
But while those two look as if they will be ready for action this coming weekend against the Scarlets, the jury is still out on Moodie. If he is at all doubtful, the side are likely to rest him rather than risk him with some bigger games ahead.
“A little bit concerned about Canan,” Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said after the win over the Dragons.
“He felt his hamstring just before halftime, and with all the injuries at wing we didn’t want to risk him further.
“We weren’t confident he could continue. You don’t want to aggravate it and make it worse, so we didn’t take that risk.”
The Bulls have already lost wingers Stravino Jacobs and Sebastian de Klerk to long term injuries and will need all the firepower they can get.
“We’ve suddenly been tested at outside back,” Ackermann said. “It started with Stravino and Sebastian being out, then we lost Kurt-Lee and Cheswill for this weekend, and then Canan felt his hamstring.
“At this stage, he’s the main concern. There are bumps and bruises, but nothing else we’re overly worried about.
“Hopefully Cheswill and Kurt-Lee have responded well to treatment and we can get at least those two back to strengthen our outside backs.”
The Bulls (and Springboks) will be hoping the hamstring injury isn’t too serious.