A Springbok prop who played with a broken thumb for the Vodacom Bulls against the Bristol Bears at Loftus on Saturday is set to be sidelined for a month.
According to Rapport, loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp has been hampered by the injury but was prepared to play through the pain in their crucial Investec Championship match.
The 28-year-old came off the bench to replace Jan-Hendrik Wessels just before the hour mark in the 61-49 defeat – the Bulls seventh in a row across competitions.
Steenekamp is expected to undergo surgery soon, which will sideline him for around four weeks.
The 16-Test Bok’s absence will be keenly felt as the Bulls navigate a demanding period across competitions. Coach Johan Ackermann’s men play their final Champions Cup pool match away to Pau this weekend, before Vodacom URC clashes against Edinburgh, the Lions and Sharks before a short break at the end of February.
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Steenekamp’s injury opens the door for others in the Bulls squad.
Wessels has already shown his versatility and composure at Test level, having featured for the Springboks at both loosehead and hooker. Other options available to Ackermann include Alu Tshakweni, who impressed at the Cheetahs before joining the Bulls, Sti Sithole, who arrived from the Stormers last year, and youngster Ruan Swart.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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