The Vodacom Blue Bulls have been dealt a massive blow with the news that fullback Jurgen Visser has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
According to reports, Visser injured his foot two weeks ago against Western Province and was allowed to take the weekend off against the Kings to recover.
While the medical assessment on Monday indicated he would be fit and ready to train on Tuesday and rejoin the team, more discomfort has seen the medical team review their diagnosis, and the fullback is set to undergo an operation that will see him out of action for at least the next four months.
Sport24
Visser’s official diagnosis was a “sprain of the first MTF joint in the big toe” which has caused him massive discomfort over the past week. Seeing as he does a lot of kicking from the back, the injury would have affected his kicking ability as well.
The fullback was one of the few to have a decent game in the loss against Western Province, and the Bulls will want him fit and ready for next year’s Vodacom Super Rugby series.
In his absence, SA Under-20 star Jesse Kriel will have an extended run in the position now after an impressive debut last week against the EP Kings.
Teams:
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter / Joshua Stander, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Jono Ross, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Deon Stegmann (Captain), 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 Rudy Paige, 21 Tian Schoeman, 22 Ryan Nell.
DHL Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (Captain), 12 Jaco Taute 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers (Vice-captain), 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Alistair Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Ruan Botha, 19 Rynhardt Elstadt, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Pat Howard.
Phweeew, never nice to wish injury on someone, but I think it’s a blessing in disguise for the Blue Bulls.
Jurgen Visser was never the long term answer for the Blue Bulls or the Bulls at fullback!
Jesse Kriel will get some time in the saddle to hopefully develop well there!
@ grootblousmile:
Agree.
He and SP Marais must be the two worst full backs in CC currently, considering who they play for
No true supporter ever laughs at an injury to a player. But Visser is dog shit and this can only be good for the Bulls.
Visser is injured…That is why Kriel played last week, in other words it is Safe to assume that the only reason JJE has been “dropped” is that he is injured as well and will be back soon.
@ MacroBok:
JLP also out, so that Josh youngster to start.
I really hope this wind dies down before tomorrow, will be hell for both sides playing if it continues.
Will be an up and under competition to see who makes the most mistakes in fielding the kicks
@ nortierd:
I think it could be a kicking contest regardless, that is the only chance the Blue bulls have lol
It is amazing how it works at the bulls these days, you have guys like, Hattingh, Ross, Visagie, Kruger, Greyling who will all play regardless of form… then you have guys like Tian Schoeman, who has been there for years and who is not a bad player being overtaken by everyone.
6 @ MacroBok:
Yep, some players are just in the wrong place at the wrong time, or born in the wrong era.
Look at Norm Hewitt, not a bad player, but sat on the bench behind Fitzpatrick for so many years.
Maybe the coach “kry n gly” in a particular player for some reason as well?
@ nortierd:
Nortie, it is a mess at Loftus lol with all those players leaving the board only saw all the money they will make the next year from money being freed up. I think the Bulls board game themselves some crazy bonuses last year.
@ MacroBok:
So much, they can afford to donate the gate taking tomorrow 😀
Not that too many are going through the gates at the moment
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