Scrumhalf blow for Bulls

The Bulls were dealt a cruel blow a week out from their departure on their Australasian Super Rugby tour.

Scrumhalf Piet van Zyl has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, after he sustained a knee injury in last week's win over the Lions at Loftus Versfeld.

Van Zyl ruptured his ACL in his left knee, Bulls team doctor Org Strauss confirmed on Monday.

The flipside is that next Monday is the date pencilled in for Springbok training squad member Rudy Paige to return to the field, following his knee rehab - which should plug the gap at No.9, left by Van Zyl's departure.

Dean Greyling, who was injured in a vehicle accident last week, picked up a hematoma on his right leg and will be back on the training field on May 18.

Midfielder Burger Odendaal is also not training this week due to an ankle injury picked up in the match, but will be ready to play on May 11.

The long term injury list still sees Pierre Schoeman (knee), Bandise Maku (pectoral) and Ruan Steenkamp (knee) - all out till July 31 - while Duncan Matthews (knee) and Ryan Nell (knee) are sidelined till August 31.

Carlo Engelbrecht's ankle injury should be cleared at the end of the month.