The 2016 Super Rugby season is still a fortnight away, but already the Bulls are on the back foot after a season‑ending injury to Springboks fly half Handre Pollard.
The 21‑year‑old tore cruciate knee ligaments at training at Loftus Versfeld this week in a freak accident where there wasn’t a player near him.
It’s a bitter blow for a club that’s already lost a wealth of experience.
Among those to depart in the off‑season are Springboks legend Victor Matfield, star No 8 Pierre Spies, former captain Flip van der Merve and Francois Hougaard, who is part of South Africa’s Olympic sevens programme.
Coach Nollis Marais says Handre was easing back into training, his first phase of final rehab before being cleared to play and was busy with a passing drill when he injured himself.
The Bulls play the Stormers in their first game of the season on the 28th of this month.
Source: Fox Sports
