The Vodacom Bulls will be anxiously waiting for a clearance certificate for their captain Victor Matfield as he continues to battle a neck strain ahead of this year’s Super Rugby season.

Supersport Reports

While Matfield has been training alongside his teammates, he has not been taking contact since returning to training following the off-season layoff.

The big lock will see a specialist on Tuesday, and while it was initially thought that it may just be a routine clearance, it now seems that there is a lot more concern as the injury hasn’t seemed to heal sufficiently in the off-season.

The Bulls face the Premiers XV — a composite side made up mostly of Mpumalanga Pumas players — this weekend at the Mbombela Stadium, and it is expected they will field as close as possible to their strongest line-up for the game, especially as it is their last warm-up game before their title defence starts.

Matfield has been training with the team in recent weeks and looked fit and strong, but the medical team will want a clearance on his neck strain before allowing him into contact, or even scrumming sessions.

But the concern over Matfield’s neck is a serious one as the captain will be keen to lead his side into battle as they look for a third consecutive Super Rugby title, and a fourth in five years.

Depending on the outcome of the scan, Matfield could well be rested for the weekend’s clash to ensure he has enough time to be fit and ready for the first clash against the Lions on February 19.

The Bulls are also not likely to consider lock Flip van der Merwe, midfielder Jaco Pretorius or winger Sampie Mastriet for the match, as all are sidelined with injury.

Van der Merwe twisted his ankle last week and it was decided to give him more time to recover, while Pretorius is still struggling with a back spasm. Mastriet hurt his ankle in the loss against the Kings on Saturday and will be out for two weeks.

Flanker Derick Kuün also hurt his ankle in the loss against the Kings, but should be able to train again by Wednesday.