Triple blow for Bulls

Cape Town - Bulls backs Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard and Akona Ndungane will all be returning home following injuries in the Bulls' 41-19 defeat at the hands of the Crusaders on Saturday.

Olivier (knee, 4 weeks), Hougaard (ankle, two weeks) and Ndungane (cheekbone, four weeks) will be replaced on tour by Francois Venter, Ruan Snyman and fit-again Bjorn Basson.

The Bulls are in Brisbane to play the Reds this weekend and have another match in Australia in a fortnight, when they will face the Brumbies in Canberra.

Lock Flip van der Merwe (chest) is also doubtful for the Reds clash, whilst forward Grant Hattingh suffered a knock against the head and will not train early in the week. Centre Lionel Mapoe and flank Dewald Potgieter will also be fit for selection this week

Apart from the touring squad, the recovery of props Dean Greyling and Marcel van der Merwe is on track.

Van der Merwe will be ready to return to the playing field in May and Greyling could be back in three weeks.