Springboks Gurthrö Steenkamp, Pierre Spies and Jaco Pretorius are early casualties as the Vodacom Bulls started their preparations for the 2011 Super Rugby season, but there was good news for other test stars like Wynand Olivier, Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield.
Experienced midfielder Pretorius will be out of action for three weeks due to a back strain, Steenkamp will be allowed to do full contact sessions in three weeks following an arm fracture and Spies has been sidelined for ten days due to a hamstring injury.
Vodacom Bulls team doctor, Org Strauss, had some good news too, with Fourie du Preez cleared to train and the likes of Wynand Olivier (groin), Gary Botha (ankle) and Victor Matfield been given the green light to start contact training next week.
Akona Ndungane has also recovered from his broken leg and will be able to start training in February.
A couple of junior players in the wider training squad have also being ruled out.
Clayton Blommetjies will be back at the end of February after a neck operation and Andries Ferreira in three weeks after a knee operation.
Adri Jacobs (ankle), Rossouw de Klerk (quad), Corné Fourie (hamstring), CJ Stander (hamstring), Frans Venter (back), Morné Mellett (back) and Zane Botha (knee) should resume training next week.
Courtesy of official Bulls website