Jenkinson injury rocks battered Bulls

As if their insipid display against the Blues was not enough, the Bulls now have to contend with injuries in their ranks with second-choice tighthead John-Roy Jenkinson tearing his hamstring in his first Super Rugby match, with Conraad van Vuuren flying in to replace the debutant.

Van Vuuren was an SA Schools star from Hoerskool Nelspruit in 2013 and has been in Pretoria since the start of the year, having studied at the University of the Free State, helping Shimlas to the Varsity Cup title in 2015 and playing a couple of matches for the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup side.

No 8 Hanro Liebenberg (right) has also injured the pectoralis muscle in his chest, but team doc- tor Herman Rossouw said a decision on whether he stays in New Zealand will be made in the week as they monitor his progress.

The balance of the loose trio is one of the pressing issues coach Nollis Marais has to sort out for their daunting match this weekend against the unbeaten Chiefs in Hamilton. Nic de Jager has been ineffectual in terms of carrying the ball at blindside flank, while Ruan Steenkamp has won just one turnover this season.

Jannes Kirsten, who was one of the stars of the Bulls’ 2016 campaign, has been playing off the bench and the experienced Arno Botha is also in the touring party.

The other position where Marais needs to consider a change is at scrumhalf, with the incumbent, Piet van Zyl, misfiring badly against the Blues.