Blue Bulls suffer huge blow after losing experienced centre Jaco Pretorius - 2011 Currie Cup
The South African Rugby Union’s (SARU) provincial state side, Blue Bulls, have suffered a major blow to their 2011 Currie Cup campaign as they lost their experienced centre Jaco Pretorius for approximately six weeks times.
Earlier, Bulls had a poor start to the 2011 ABSA Currie Cup as the defending champions, Natal Sharks, beat the Bulls 35 – 16 at Kings Park Stadium, Durban on Saturday, July 16.
The Blue Bulls have confirmed the injury to their centre Pretorius in a statement released on their website on Tuesday, July 19.
Blue Bulls team doctor, Org Strauss, confirmed the groin injury to their centre. He said, “Jaco (Pretorius) is the only player we are seriously worried about, he has a groin injury and we're not sure how serious it is, but he will have a minimum of six weeks out.” Strauss confirmed that Jaco Pretorius will meet with the Specialist, Mark Ferguson, later on Tuesday to further discuss the injury and the future course of action.
However, Strauss has confirmed that a MRI will be performed on Pretorius, which will aid in the proper investigation and diagnose the extent of the injury.
Bulls are already without the services of their senior players who are currently on the Springboks duty. This includes Bjorn Basson, Wynand Olivier, Morne Steyn, Danie Rossouw, Deon Stegmann, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Dean Greyling, and Chiliboy Ralepelle. The omission of Pretorius has further reduced the chances of the Bulls, who are looking for their first points in the 2011 Currie Cup.
Earlier on Monday, July 18, Bulls trained without Stephan Dippenaar, Stefan Watermeyer, Rossouw de Klerk, Gary Botha and Gerhard van der Heever.
According to reports, Stefan Watermeyer is carrying a hip injury, Stephan Dippenaar is inflicted with a groin injury, and Rossouw de Klerk and Gary Botha are down with neck injuries while Gerhard van der Heever is carrying an injury to his ankle. Dewald Potgieter has also complained about a stiff hamstring. The players have sustained these injuries during their last weekend encounter against the Sharks.
Strauss added, “Gary Botha and Rossouw de Klerk are both struggling with neck strains, but they should both be fine to play this weekend.”
However, Bulls are confident that players will recover in time for their next weekend clash against the Free State Cheetahs.
Bulls will be relying on their senior players’, which includes the likes of Botha, Akona Ndungane and Derick Kuün etc to help them deliver a good result against the current 2011 Currie Cup table leaders, Cheetahs.
Cheetahs handed over a thumping 40 – 12 defeat to Leopards in their opening Currie Cup encounter at Bloemfontein on last weekend.
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