Mixed bag for 'injured' Bulls

There was good and bad news on the injury front for the Bulls, ahead of their tour to New Zealand and Australia.

The good news was the availability of flanks Deon Stegmann and Dewald Potgieter, and the return to fitness of JJ Engelbrecht.

All three were injured in the Round One encounter with the Stormers two weeks ago.

Wing Akona Ndungane and lock Wilhelm Steenkamp, who missed the start of the tournament due to injuries, have also been cleared to travel with the team to Australasia.

The bad news is that wing Bjorn Basson will be out for at least two weeks, but he could join the team abroad later.

He injured his ankle in the win over the Western Force at the weekend.

Prop Dean Greyling is also struggling with his foot injury and was ruled out for another month.

Casualties from the Western Force match were Francois Hougaard (ankle), Chiliboy Ralepelle (ankle), Willie Wepener (ankle), Jacques Potgieter (head injury) and Lionel Mapoe (dead leg).

They should all be fit to play against the Blues in Auckland on Sunday.

However, a call on Hougaard will only be made at the captain's run on Saturday.

Marcel van der Merwe remains the only long term injury and will return to the fray in May, following his knee operation.