Five derbies in six weeks has left a massive injury toll on the Vodacom Bulls, so much so that it threatens their run in the final weeks of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Saturday’s narrow rain-soaked loss to the DHL Stormers has left the team looking forward to the two-week break they now enjoy not because of the rest, but because it might bring some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of injuries.
Their next game in the URC is on 22 March where they will face Leinster and given it is a week after the end of the Six Nations, chances are the table-topping Irish juggernaut will not come to South Africa with a fully loaded side for the fixture.
That game, and their following week against giant-killers Zebre provide two interesting challenges for Jake White’s side before they head to France for a Round of 16 clash in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
But at the moment it is the injury toll that is front and centre, with the normal Monday medical report likely to be a horror show for coach Jake White. The Bulls have depth but even on Saturday in the rain it was clear they missed the punching power of physical specimens like Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom, both who could have revelled in the conditions.
Louw is out for the season it seems, even though neither he nor the Bulls have spoken about time lengths, and it is unlikely the team’s other captain Ruan Nortje will return before the playoffs, if at all.
Johan Goosen sits on the sidelines, and Hanekom’s injury is being treated conservatively, so much so that the Bulls won’t take a chance on him in the next few weeks it seems until they are satisfied he can play through to the end of the competition.
MORE LOSSES ON SATURDAY
On Saturday the loss of Canan Moodie in the fourth minute to an HIA was a bitter blow in a high ball battle in the wet, the Bulls lost hands down. But it was the first-half departure of Cobus Wiese (possible hamstring) and Marco van Staden (ankle) that hit the Bulls harder than their opponents.
Both players were in top physical form, and the loss of both not only changed the complexion of the forward battle, but allowed the Stormers to empty their bench later, with significant advantage in the closing minutes of the game.
White has been clear on his thoughts - with a nightmare fixtures list this year, which saw his side play their seven of their first nine games away from home - and now five super tough local derbies in just six weeks.
Something has to give, and that’s not even factoring in the never-ending season that has gone on in SA Rugby for top players since the end of Covid.
While the derbies are immensely popular, White has questioned whether any side outside of SA would have to play all their derbies in such a short time span, and while the Bulls have navigated that well - winning three of the five - it has come at a massive cost for them.
Other franchises will point out the depth in the Bulls’ squad, and other than the Sharks they do have more depth than most sides, but it all still comes at a cost.
Hanekom and Louw in particular, have been big losses, and the HIA to another captain in Marcell Coetzee hasn’t helped much.
INJURY RETURNS
Before the game White did indicate that Hanekom could have played in the wet against the Stormers, but the Bulls chose not to risk him.
“Cameron’s calf is not yet where we can pick him again,” White said. “If he gets a tear in the calf, he’s going to be out for a long time and we’re not going to take that chance with him.
“He and Marcell will be ready for our next game against Leinster.”
Wiese has been the Bulls signing of the season and the physicality he brings to the game is something the Bulls pack want, so the team will be hoping that the diagnosis is not too serious in his case.
But it is clear that for once the Bulls could use some good news on the injury front, especially as the tournament starts to head to the crucial parts of the season.