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Chiliboy fright for Bulls
29/01/2008 11:39 - (SA)
Morris Gilbert , Beeld
Pretoria - Springbok Chiliboy Ralepelle, the Bulls' first-choice hooker, has injured the same knee that kept him out of rugby for so long last year.
However, team doctor Tommie Smook is not overly concerned, even though Ralepelle's knee was swollen when he stopped training on Monday.
Smook said the player had probably strained a ligament. A scan may be done on Tuesday.
Ralepella is earmarked to take over the No 2 jersey from Gary Botha. If he is sidelined again it will be bad news for new Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
The coach has already expressed his concern about the lack of depth among the available hookers. Derick Kuün and James van der Walt are next in line.
Sevens Bulls players, including four of last year's World Cup Springboks, will be unavailable for the team's first two Super 14 warm-up matches.
The World Cup stars are prop Gurthrö Steenkamp, lock Bakkies Botha, loose forward and lock Danie Rossouw and wing Akona Ndungane.
Bruised hamstring
Others who will not be considered for the match against the Falcons in Brakpan on Thursday evening and against the Cavaliers in Wellington on Saturday are Springbok loose forward Pierre Spies and scrumhalves Heini Adams and JP Joubert.
Smook says there are also doubts about prop Jaco Espag, who has a bruised hamstring, and young lock Hendrik Roodt, who has a back muscle problem.
The Falcons are ready to provide stiff opposition. Coach Rudi Joubert says his team won't need any motivation.
"The Bulls are the champions and this is reason enough for any player to be prepared. It is also a trial match for us. I'll know afterwards what my strongest available team will look like.
"I am glad that the Bulls have chosen a young team because I also have an inexperienced side. It could be an interesting contest between youth and youth," Joubert said.
He feels, as does Ludeke, that the match should show to some extent how the players have adapted to the experimental laws.
"It's one thing to practise according to the laws but it's another matter to apply them in match context."
- Beeld
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