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Johannesburg - Vodacom Bulls captain Flip van der Merwe will miss another week of action because of his hamstring strain, but should be fit for the Bulls’ tour to Australasia.
According to the supersport.com website, as the Bulls resume their training on Monday morning fresh from their narrow win of the Cell C Sharks, they have confirmed that Van der Merwe will not be available for this weekend’s Vodacom Super Rugby match against the defending champions, the Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Van der Merwe withdrew from action with a strained hamstring on Thursday, forcing the Bulls to hand over the captaincy to veteran Victor Matfield, and moved Paul Willemse into his place.
The scenario is likely to be the same this weekend as the Bulls will want Van der Merwe fit for the tour, where they hope to carry the momentum forward of three straight victories at Loftus Versfeld.
While Van der Merwe is the focus, the Bulls have been lucky not to sustain too many serious injuries, and as it currently stands, apart from missing a few days training, those with niggles are likely to be available for selection this weekend.
Prop Dean Greyling (Calf contusion) and flank Deon Stegmann (SC joint sprain) will all return to training on Wednesday, while Francois Hougaard (Politeal spasm knee), Bjorn Basson (gastro) and JJ Engelbrecht (lateral ankle sprain).
The Bulls still have their long term injuries requiring rehabilitation, with captain Pierre Spies out for 6-9 months with his bicep tear, Arno Botha still out for six months with knee ligaments and Frik Kirsten still six months on the sideline with a neck injury.
