Bakkies Botha (Gallo Images)

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That’s the message from Blue Bulls forwards coach Johan van Graan after receiving news that Botha has been withdrawn from Currie Cup duty because of a squabble among the five CEOs which has left all 19 contracted Springboks out of Currie Cup action until October 6.

Botha has spent the past nine weeks in conditioning following his suspension for a headbutt in the opening round of the Tri Nations in Auckland and became eligible on Sunday to play again.

After an injury earlier in the year, the Bulls and Bok lock has played precious little rugby in this season and would have benefitted from a prolonged run in the domestic competition to get him ready for the Grand Slam tour in November.

But now, with the decision defying logic, Botha will struggle to match on field passion with off field gym conditioning, and will need to keep focused in the gym for another month before he finally is allowed out in the last round of the competition against Griquas on October 6.

“Bakkies has been working hard on his conditioning the last nine weeks and we hoped he would be back this week, but that is something out of our control,” said Bulls forward coach Johan van Graan.

“However, we still have Flip (van der Merwe) coming back into the mix and he is one of the best number four locks in the country so we will be backing him and adapting to the decision that has been made.”

“Juandre is back from the UK and is playing outstanding rugby while Fudge (Mabeta) and Wilhelm (Steenkamp) are also playing well. Fudge has an injury though and won’t be available this week.”

“Flip came year last year and has had an amazing season and now his first Tri Nations was just as impressive – particularly in that game against All Blacks in Soweto.”

The Bulls will be forced into a number of other changes through injury and the Bok withdrawals. Midfielder Stefan Watermeyer is set to replace Wynand Olivier, who has been withdrawn by the Boks. Francois Hougaard returns in the place of Ruan Snyman, young sensation CJ Stander will stand in for Dewald Potgieter while in the front row Chiliboy Ralepelle will get a start with Werner Kruger returning at tighthead.

The only other change is Van der Merwe returning in the place of the injured Mabeta.