The Springboks were dealt with a massive setback when 19-year old sensation Canan Moodie was ruled out of the November tour with a hamstring problem.
Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White confirmed that Moodie, who burst through into the Springbok setup earlier this year and scored a sensational try against Australia, would only be likely to rejoin the team at the end of November after suffering a hamstring strain against Connacht in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship a week ago.
Moodie was expected to be a sure thing for the Bok end of year tour and the injury setback will not only be a disappointment for the Springboks but also for the Bulls.
“Canan is out for about 8 weeks,” Bulls coach Jake White said at his team announcement on Friday.
“He won’t play any part in our last few games in the URC before the November break and probably won’t be available to tour with the Springboks. Hopefully he will be back at the end of November to start the second part of the URC with us.”
There was a smattering of good and further bad news for the Bulls, with confirmation that Springbok winger S’bu Nkosi will join the Bulls this weekend for the rest of their tour after having completed his return-to-play protocols after a suspected concussion.
But there was further bad news for the Bulls with Springbok hopeful Johan Grobbelaar also likely to miss a Bok call-up after he underwent an operation for syndesmosis in his ankle, that will keep him out for six weeks.
The Bulls on Friday named promising young 21-year old Jan-Hendrik Wessels in his place and also have the services of Joe van Zyl and veteran former Springbok Bismarck du Plessis to call on until Grobbelaar returns to play.