Springbok No 8 Pierre Spies is in a race against time to be fit for the Bulls’ opening Super 14 rugby match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on February 12.
While there was some good news that two other Springbok World Cup winners, Wynand Olivier and Danie Rossouw, have resumed training with the Bulls after missing the warm-up matches against the Lions in Polokwane on Saturday, Spies and new Springbok Francois Hougaard would both be monitored for another week before returning to the training field.
Rossouw has been struggling with a groin strain while Olivier is recovering from a cartilage operation. He returned to training last week and it was hoped to give him a few minutes on the field against the Lions.
The Bulls played without these four Springboks as well as Akona Ndungane (broken leg), Dewald Potgieter (knee), Chiliboy Ralepelle (foot) and Bakkies Botha (Achilles) in Polokwane.
Meanwhile, it is reported from Bloemfontein that the Cheetahs’ Springbok centre/ flyhalf Meyer Bosman has been declared fit.
There was further good news that the Cheetahs flyhalves, Louis Strydom and Naas Olivier, are training again. Strydom is certain to be considered for the match against the Bulls while Olivier, too, should be able to play.
There is not great concern about the ankle injury to Springbok fetcher Heinrich BrÜssow who will be fit to face the Bulls. — Sapa