Bulls fear for Flip

The Bulls are waiting anxiously to discover the severity of lock Flip van der Merwe's injury that forced him to leave the field on the weekend.


The 27-year-old picked up a hip injury during the 32-10 defeat to the Sharks in Durban and was replaced by Wilhelm Steenkamp.


Bulls coach Frans Ludeke confirmed to this website that Van der Merwe is in a race against time to be fit for the final regular season clash with the Lions.


The Pretoria franchise might be forced to start Steenkamp and Juandre Kruger in the second row, which requires somewhat of a balancing act as both men are more suited to the No.5 role.


In other injury news Deon Stegmann is expected to return to the matchday 22 for the Lions clash after Ludeke decided to give the openside flank an additional week of recovery instead of thrusting him into the Sharks game.