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Willemse answers Bulls' SOS

Cape Town - South African Under-20 lock Paul Willemse is heading to Brisbane to join the Bulls ahead of their Super Rugby match with the Reds on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 10:40 SA time.

Willemse will join the Bulls' squad as a precautionary measure after Flip van der Merwe was added to their growing injury list in Australasia.

Centre Wynand Olivier, scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and wing Akona Ndungane will all be returning home, following injuries sustained in the Bulls' 41-19 defeat against the Crusaders.

Olivier (knee, out for four weeks), Hougaard (ankle, two weeks) and Ndungane (cheekbone, four weeks) will be replaced by Francois Venter, Ruan Snyman and Bjorn Basson.

According to the Bulls' website, there is still some hope that Van der Merwe may recover in time to face the Reds after the initial diagnosis suggested the burly lock could be sidelined for between five and 10 days.

A final call on Van der Merwe will be made on Wednesday.

Grant Hattingh, the other lock on tour, is also doubtful as a result of slight concussion - the result of foul play by Crusaders hooker Ben Funnell, who suspended for one week as a result.

The Bulls will play the Australian Conference-leading Brumbies in their final overseas match in Canberra on Saturday, March 30 (kick-off 10:40).
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