Jan Serfontein

Victor Matfield

Vodacom Bulls Springboks Victor Matfield and Jan Serfontein will both be rested against the Emirates Lions this week, in accordance with the franchises’ agreement with SARU.

Matfield has started every match for the Bulls this season, bar 1 game where he came off the bench against the Western Force a fortnight ago. Matfield is however nursing a knee injury and might be out for longer than 1 week, maybe even up to a month. Team doctor, Org Strauss confirmed that Victor Matfield is stuggling with the knee, but also said no decision has been made about Matfield’s fitness.

“He has a stiff knee, nothing too serious but we will make a decision later on in the week,” Dr Strauss replied to queries about Matfield’s fitness.

Meanwhile, Serfontein, who was named to play against the Crusaders last week even though he did not train due to a stiff hip flexor, will also earn a ‘rest’.

The Springbok centre failed to pass a late fitness test before the match and was replaced by Burger Odendaal at the 11th hour.

Odendaal was initially set to start his 1st game only for the Vodacom Blue Bulls in the Vodacom Cup after a lengthy injury lay-off for a knee ligament injury, but was thrust straight into Super Rugby in stead.

Odendaal had an impressive return to competitive rugby and it should be expected that he will again take up the No 12 spot, with Serfontein rested.

Meanwhile, another 11th-hour replacement that stepped up to make an indelible impression, Hanro Liebenberg, could again find himself in the starting 15.

Liebenberg replaced Arno Botha in the No 7 jersey late on Saturday, after the Springbok loose forward failed to pass a fitness test.

Botha is expected to be out for another week as he continues to struggle with injuries, and as such, will not feature against the Lions.

The Bulls will also be without the services of loose forward Pieter ‘Lappies’ Labuschagne, who will only be available to play again on April 13 due to a chest injury.

Basil Short (concussion, 1 week), Akona Ndungane (broken hand, 13 April) and Travis Ismaiel (ribs, 13 April) will also be unavailable for selection and Flip van der Merwe is only about a week away from returning from his pectoral injury.

A number of players have little niggles following the win over the Crusaders.

Jesse Kriel (hip), JJ Engelbrecht (knee), Trevor Nyakane (sick), Jacques Engelbrecht (sick), Rudi Paige (hip), and Morné Mellett (back) only returned to training Tuesday.

On the positive side, Jacques-Louis Potgieter and Callie Visagie both returned to training on Monday. Potgieter has recovered from a hamstring strain and Visagie from injured ribs.

William Small Smith (foot, 20 April), Pierre Schoeman (knee, 31 July), Carlo Engelbrecht (ankle, 6 weeks), Bandise Maku (pectoral, 31 July ), Werner Kruger (ankle, 6 weeks), Duncan Matthews (knee, 31 August ), Ruan Steenkamp (knee, 31 August), Ryan Nell (knee, 31 August ) are all on the long-term injury list.