Regular Vodacom Blue Bulls no 8, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, has been ruled out of the remainder of the Absa Currie Cup competition due to a thumb injury.
Official Blue Bulls media release
The no 8, who started in that position in all but one of the team’s fixtures this year, had an operation on Thursday and will be out for at least four weeks, ruling him out of the competition.
Van Velze will be replaced by national u.20 captain, CJ Stander, for Saturday’s clash against Western Province. Coach Frans Ludeke expressed his disappointment on the news.
“Gerrit-Jan has developed very well and has impressed with his work rate, defence and leadership. It is a pity he will not be around in our final effort to defend the Currie Cup.”
Gerrit-Jan van Velze Absa Currie Cup 2010 season:
Starts: 11
Points: 10 (tries against the Sharks and Lions).
Total Currie Cup caps: 14