Injury woes mount for the Bulls
JUST AS his team takes a step forward in their challenge for Currie Cup honours, injuries have again set Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais’ plans back.
In the aftermath of their win against the Golden Lions on Friday night at Loftus Versfeld, Marais’ smile was wiped away by news that pocket rocket fullback Duncan Matthews has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained in the game.
Captain Arno Botha has also been ruled out of action for two weeks after suffering a shoulder injury in the win while centre Burger Odendaal is expected to return to the training field today after not finishing the game because of a shoulder injury.
Odendaal will in all likelihood be fit for selection to take his place in the midfield with Dries Swanepoel when the Bulls play against the Pumas even though he walked off the field gingerly.
The Bulls will now have to find a new captain for their upcoming games against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday followed by a home match against Griquas in two weeks’ time before Botha’s return for their final round robin game against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.
For the time being Marais is likely to appoint former Junior Springbok captain Hanro Liebenberg,
pictured, to lead the side while Jannes Kirsten is set to return from injury and will in all probability be elevated to the starting line-up at flank.
Nic de Jager is also an option at flank if Kirsten is not passed fit to play this week after the former Saracens loose forward made a solid contribution off the bench in place of Botha on Friday.
But the biggest blow to the Bulls will be Matthews’ injury which will leave a void at fullback with Ulrich Beyers still struggling with form and former Springbok wing Bjorn Basson seemingly haven fallen out of favour.
Matthews had been earmarked to be Warrick Gelant’s successor at fullback but his string of injuries which caused him to miss out on last year and this year’s Super Rugby and Currie Cup seasons have stifled his growth in the position.
Marais will now have to make the hard decision of choosing between Beyers and Basson but his loyalty to Beyers could cloud his judgement for the better player in Basson who started the season for the Bulls at fullback.
Basson is the sensible choice to start against the Pumas with his experience, aerial skills and ability to finish off but Beyers has enjoyed Marais’ favour since rejoining the side from his stint abroad, even though he has been unconvincing in the handful of matches he has played.