Bulls trio won't be back soon

Three of the Bulls' key players have been ruled out till the latter stages of the Super Rugby season - after the inbound tests against England  in June - team doctor Org Strauss confirmed.

Deon Stegmann (fractured forearm, four to six weeks), Jacques Potgieter (knee cap dislocation, six to eight weeks) and Frik Kirsten (hand fracture, four to six weeks) all pick up tour-ending injuries in Australia and have already returned home.

Dewald Potgieter (grade two hamstring tear) and Wynand Olivier (ribs) have been declared fit and will be available for selection for the Highlanders match in Dunedin on Saturday, Strauss said.

* Meanwhile the Bulls named season Springbok wing Akona Ndungane as their 'Player of the Week'.

It might have been more than two years, but now that Ndungane found his way back to the opponents tryline, the veteran wing can't stop scoring.

Ndungane scored a try in the thrilling 27-24 victory by the Bulls over the Waratahs in Sydney last Friday, his third five-pointer in four matches and helped his side to a great win on tour.

As usual, Ndungane was solid as a rock under the high ball and ran himself to a standstill with kick chases, often catching the receivers with ball and all.

The 31-year-old Ndungane, twin brother of Sharks flyer and fellow Bok Odwa, and Springbok number 774, made his Test debut against Australia in 2006 - playing in 11 Test and two tour matches for the Boks.

He has played in 77 Super Rugby matches and scored 27 tries.