Pretoria - Regular Vodacom Blue Bulls number eight, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, has been ruled out of the remainder of the Absa Currie Cup rugby competition due to a thumb injury.
The No 8, who started in that position in all but one of the team's fixtures this year, has had an operation on Thursday and will be out for at least four weeks, ruling him out of the competition.
Van Velze will be replaced by national U20 captain, CJ Stander, for Saturday's clash against Western Province.
"Van Velze has developed very well and has impressed with his work rate, defence and leadership. It is a pity he will not be around in our final effort to defend the Currie Cup," said coach Frans Ludeke.