The Bulls were given a scare when prop Jaco Engels injured his neck at training on Monday.

But X-rays done at a local hospital revealed the damage was minimal and that the burly prop will be ready to take his place again in the training squad later this week.

Brenden Nel at SuperSport

Engels, who has become the journeyman prop on the bench for the Blue Bulls over the past few years, went down at the training session, with team medical officials taking no chances, calling an ambulance to ensure he received the best treatment.

“Jaco injured his neck at training,” team doctor Org Strauss said. “I’m glad to say that the X-rays showed no serious damage and it is a stiff neck and he should be back at training this week. The ambulance taking him to hospital was just a precautionary measure.”

It was an unwelcome distraction for the side as they prepare for their first major test of their Absa Currie Cup title defence when they head to Durban to face the Sharks on Saturday.

Other than Engels, a decision will be made on Tuesday on the fitness of three players who picked up injuries against the Pumas. The trio all missed training on Monday and will need to prove their fitness on Tuesday if they are to make the trip to Durban.

Flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter, lock Juandre Kruger (both shoulder injuries) and prop Dean Greyling (hip) all had coach Frans Ludeke worried after the match but could all be cleared on Tuesday.

Captain Gary Botha injured himself in the Monday morning session, limping off with a calf-strain, and sat out the afternoon training session but is expected to be back in action on Tuesday.