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Pretoria - Bulls hooker Gary Botha has been ruled out of the next two weeks of Super Rugby, after injuring his collarbone in the victory over the Lions over the weekend.
Bulls doctor Org Strauss confirmed the news, which was not as bad as originally expected by the Bulls, after Botha had to leave the field early in the game clutching his shoulder and spent most of it on the sidelines watching the action from his seat.
With bruising on the chest and collarbone, the conservative route has been followed, giving the Bulls hooker some extra time on the sidelines before returning.
Ironically, the week that Botha will return is the Bulls first bye in the competition, and thus he will only be available again for selection in week five, when the Bulls face the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld in the traditional north-south derby.
But while the Bulls are well versed in depth and have Springbok Chiliboy Ralepelle to step into Botha’s shoes, the next in line becomes a bit of a problem with little experience in the squad further on.
Hans van Dyk was drafted in the pre-season from the Lions to join the squad, but chances are the Bulls will revert back to utility forward Derick Kuün to be on the bench as back-up hooker. Kuün last year returned to flank after two years at hooker and has been practising his lineouts throughout the season in case of such an eventuality.
There was other good news for the Bulls ahead of Friday night’s jaunt to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs as midfielder Jaco Pretorius is over his back strain and lock Danie Rossouw – who withdrew shortly before the game with an allergic reaction – is also fit again to play.
Francois Hougaard remains on the injured list, but is recovering fast, with the utility back removing his moon boot on Monday and will start his final rehabilitation on Tuesday for a quick return to the field.
