Bulls lose their Cook and two others

The Blue Bulls will be without three key players for Saturday's Currie Cup match against the Golden Lions.

Loose forward Jean Cook (broken thumb) and prop Frik Kirsten (ankle) have both been ruled out through injury, while they are most likely to be joined on the sidelines by hooker Callie Visagie (ankle).

Cook will be out of action for six weeks with an injury sustained in the bruising 15-9 win over Griquas last Friday.

Kirsten looks set to be sidelined for another two weeks, after he failed to overcome an ankle strain he picked up in the Week One draw with Western Province.

Visagie will undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury he picked up in the win over Griquas on Friday.

Team doctor Org Strauss also expressed caution on the availability of veteran wing Akona Ndungane, who is recovering from a hamstring strain.

A call on his participation in the Loftus clash will be made on Wednesday.

Tony Jantjies (back), Jono Ross (shoulder contusion), Rudi Paige (shoulder), Waylon Murray (neck) and Francois Venter (mouth) will only train on Tuesday.

However, Strauss said they should all be available to play.