Wayne Julies out for six months

The Vodacom Bulls’ chances of defending their Super 14 rugby title suffered another blow Monday when inside centre Wayne Julies was ruled out of the competition with a knee injury.

Team doctor Tommie Smook, who will stay on with the Bulls until the end of the Super 14, on Monday said Julies had to undergo an operation and he will not be able to play for at least six months.

With Julies on the sidelines, the other inside centres in the group are Wynand Olivier and Stefan Watermeyer, with Morné Steyn also capable of playing in the midfield.

Julies apparently underwent his operation on December 20 after having problems with the knee for almost three months.

It is great news for the Bulls that Smook will be able to continue to work as team doctor for the franchise as he knows all the players, their injury history and he will be of tremendous help to the new coaches.

Smook says the other injured players at this stage are Gurthro Steenkamp (forearm) and Bakkies Botha (ankle).

“Gurthro as well as Bakkies will probably start playing in March and Pierre Spies will have to undergo another series of blood tests in the near future, but we are confident he will also be back in March.”—Sapa