Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White did his damnedest to put a positive spin on it, but admitted his team’s horror run of injuries took another turn for the worse at the weekend.
The introduction of Willie le Roux saw the Bulls come from behind to secure a vital 35-22 win over the Lions in a United Rugby Championship crunch match at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Trailing 13-17, Le Roux was introduced in the 50th minute in place of an erratic Henry Chamberlain.
The visitors scored three in a 10-minute blitz to take control of a game that had the potential to go pear-shaped.
This Trans-Jukskei derby win ensured the Bulls cemented their place in the top three on the standings and with a game in hand.
The main concern for the Bulls is the injuries of captain Ruan Nortje and flank Elrigh Louw (both knee injuries).
(WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives a distressing injury update after his team’s 35-27 URC win over the Lions….)
“I am proud [of the team], with all the disruptions,” White said in his post-match briefing.
Nortje left the field in the fifth minute, stand-in captain Cameron Hanekom left the field on the half-hour mark for a head injury assessment and returned early in the second half – at the time when Elrigh Louw (another player who has captained the team) left the field.
“There were so many things that were happening,” White said, adding: “Some teams would have given up.
“Not only did we get over the line, we ended up getting a bonus point as well – which says a lot about the character of this team.
The Bulls’ boss did not have much detail, but admitted that Louw had gone to hospital.
Bulls President Willem Strauss said the 25-year-old Springbok loose forward is undergoing surgery on Saturday.
“I got a message from Elrich [Louw] saying well done,” White said, adding: “Which is amazing.
“When you get taken straight to the Millpark hospital, it is serious.
“The captain [Nortje] will have a scan on Monday.
“It was an expensive game, a very expensive game.”
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