The Vodacom Bulls gave an update on the injuries of club captains Ruan Nortje and Elrigh Louw, and flyhalf Johan Goosen.
Springbok lock, Nortje sustained a knee ligament injury in the first half of the Jukskei Derby in Johannesburg on the weekend of the 25th of January. The skipper has already begun his non-invasive recovery and rehabilitation programme which is expected to be around 8 & 10 weeks long.
2022/23 Vodacom United Rugby Championship’s Gilbert Golden Boot winner, Goosen had a successful operation around the knee and has since begun making a good recovery with his rehab programme expected to run for anywhere between 8 & 10 weeks, which he has – successfully – completed two already.
Both Nortje and Goosen are expected to return to action in April, a month where the Vodacom Bulls travel to France to take on Aviron Bayonnais in the EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 and a possible quarterfinal clash should the trip in Pyrénées-Atlantiques go according to plan. Two weeks later, Jake White and his herd will travel to Thomond Park for a Vodacom United Rugby Championship round 15 clash against Munster. The defending champions Glasgow Warriors are lined up a week later at Scotstoun Stadium for round 16.
Springbok loose forward Elrigh Louw, who sustained a long-term injury in the opening minutes of the second half in Johannesburg, is currently two weeks post his injury. However, Louw has yet to have an operation due to swelling around his injury area. After consultation with a specialist, the 25-year-old is scheduled to have his operation in the coming week or two and his rehabilitation programme will only become clear then.
At this stage, it is expected that all three will make full recoveries.