Cape Town - Bulls flank Deon Stegmann looks likely to remain sidelined for their Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The flank is still struggling with a hamstring injury and according team doctor Org Strauss he could sit out another week.

The Bulls initially hoped that Stegmann would be ready for their clash against the Stormers last week. His absence, and the subsequent lack of a fetcher, may have contributed to their 20-17 loss at Newlands.

Beeld reports that CJ Stander played well in Stegmann's absence but he's not a specialist at turning over possession and slowing the opposition's ball down.

Stegmann has now missed three matches in a row and the sooner he returns for the men from Pretoria, the better.

Coach Frans Ludeke is not expected to change much from the team that went down at Newlands, but could decide to pick JJ Engelbrecht at centre ahead of Johann Sadie.

Sadie injured his knee against the Stormers and limped at times during the game before being replaced so Ludeke might play the centre from the bench on Saturday.

Sadie, together with Dean Greyling (upper-arm injury), Juandré Kruger (neck), Jacques Potgieter (jaw), Chiliboy Ralepelle (knee), Bjorn Basson (flu) and Louis Fouché (also flu), missed Monday's practice but all of them are expected to be ready come Saturday.