There was a welcome air of confidence at the Bulls camp on Tuesday when scrumhalf Fourie du Preez showed marked signs of recovery from his shoulder injuries and his name was thrown into the selection hat ahead of the Bulls’ Super 14 final clash against the Sharks.
Du Preez practised with his teammates but his field session was limited to passing drills with the Bulls coaching staff, still cautious and keeping the scrumhalf away from the contact sessions.
Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer said that the signs were positive that Du Preez would regain fitness for the game and that he would likely name the Springbok scrumhalf in his starting line-up when he announces the team on Wednesday afternoon.
”Fourie has responded well to treatment and we will give him all the time he requires to make the team. He has looked good in the last two days and I will select him for the team on Saturday if he is fit,” Meyer said on Tuesday.
Du Preez missed the Bulls semifinal clash against the Crusaders because of a shoulder injury sustained during the Reds 92-3 win and also flared up another shoulder injury that was sustained during the Blues match three weeks ago.
If Du Preez is fit to play, Meyer will have no choice but to drop Heini Adams to the bench with Nicholas Eyre losing a place in the starting 22.
The Bulls are fighting fit besides the minor ailment to lock Danie Rossouw, who failed to make training with the team for the second day running.
”Danie did not practise today [Tuesday] but will be ready for the game. He is suffering from a few aches and minor problems,” said Meyer.
The Bulls sit with a minor selection poser ahead of Saturday with Bakkies Botha having sat on the bench for the Bulls’ last two games while Rossouw has started at lock with Victor Matfield.
Botha and Rossouw offer Meyer plenty of aggression in the engine room and the Bulls will need plenty of that coming into the final.
”The Sharks are a very tough team and we will need to be at our best. They have a physical pack and a very good backline. It is going to be a special occasion for both teams and South Africa,” said Meyer. — Sapa