The Bulls have provided an update on the injuries of their club captains Ruan Nortje (second-row) and Elrigh Louw (back-row), as well as first-choice fly-half Johan Goosen.

Springboks lock Nortje sustained a knee ligament injury in the first half of the Bulls clash with the Lions in Johannesburg on January 25.

The 26-year-old, who was one of the Boks‘ success stories in 2024, has already started his non-invasive recovery and rehabilitation programme which is expected to be around eight to 10 weeks long.

Goosen, who was the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship’s Golden Boot winner, had a successful operation around the knee and has since begun making a good recovery.

Like Nortje, the Springboks fly-half’s rehab programme is expected to run for a period of eight to 10 weeks, and he has already completed two of those weeks successfully.

Duo set to return to action against Bayonne in April

Nortje and Goosen are both expected to return to action in April – a month where the Bulls travel to France to take on Bayonne in their EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 encounter.

A possible quarter-final clash in that tournament also lies in wait should the trip to the Stade Jean Dauger go according to plan.

Two weeks later, Jake White and his troops will travel to Thomond Park for a United Rugby Championship (URC) Round 15 encounter against Munster. A week later, the Bulls head to Scotstoun Stadium where they will face a tough assignment against the defending URC champions Glasgow Warriors.

Still uncertainty over extent of Elrigh Louw’s injury

Meanwhile, Springboks loose forward Louw, who sustained a long-term injury in the opening minutes of the second half against the Lions in Johannesburg, is currently two weeks post his injury.

However, Louw is yet to have an operation due to swelling around his injury. After consultation with a specialist, the 25-year-old is scheduled to have his operation in the next week or two and his rehabilitation programme will only become clearer then.

The Bulls wished all three players well as they work towards full rehabilitation.

“At this stage, it is expected that all three players will make full recoveries, and no further updates will be given on their respective journeys to allow them the space to focus fully on their programmes,” revealed the Bulls via a press statement.