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Pretoria - The Bulls look likely to unleash four of their Springboks for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against the Jaguares.
Flyhalf Handre Pollard, centre Jesse Kriel, fullback Warrick Gelant and prop Trevor Nyakane are yet to feature in any of the Bulls’ pre-season games - against the Lions, Sharks and Stormers - but coach John Mitchell is likely to introduce the quartet against the Argentina side on Saturday.
Lock Lood de Jager is the only current Springbok squad member to have featured for the Bulls in pre-season thus far.
"We’ve got to be ready to go, it isn’t about putting them in cotton wool and protecting them and building into the competition," Mitchell told the supersport.com website.
Mitchell also added that the Japanese-based duo of Nic de Jager (flank) and Jason Jenkins (lock) could get a run for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, Bulls team doctor Herman Rossouw on Monday said there were no major injury concerns following last weekend’s 26-all draw with the Stormers in Wellington.
“It’s only (utility back) Duncan Matthews who sustained an injury to his quad - a contusion - he will be on the sideline for today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday) and expected to make a return to the field by Wednesday,” Rossouw said.
The only other injury concern is Travis Ismaiel.
The winger was first diagnosed with a "neck spasm" after the 31-14 pre-season loss to the Sharks in Polokwane.
He then started to develop concussion symptoms late last week and did not make the trip to Wellington for the match against the Stormers.
“He’s still not recovered fully and will not be an option for this coming weekend,” Rossouw said.
Note: The date featured on the video is incorrect. It was published on Monday, February 5.
