Bulls sweating on Handre Pollard injury

The Bulls are sweating over the fitness of Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby derby against the Lions in Johannesburg.

The Pretoria-based franchise’s team doctor, Herman Rossouw, revealed that Pollard did not train with the team on Monday due to an injury sustained in their Round 18 Super Rugby win over the Jaguares at Loftus Versfeld.

“Handre Pollard picked up an issue with his back,” said Rossouw.

“We’ll keep a close eye on his progress during the week.”

Rossouw also confirmed that utility forward Jason Jenkins injured his calf last week which ruled him out of the Jaguares clash.

“We’ll keep an eye on him later during the week to see his progress,” he added.

Meanwhile, injured duo Burger Odendaal (centre) and Travis Ismaiel (wing) are also on the road to recovery and Rossouw said they would make “a slow return to training” and that they would “make an assessment on their fitness later during the week.”

Rossouw also revealed that Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane has started with selective training sessions but will not be in action this weekend.

Nyakane is battling a rib injury which also kept him on the sidelines during South Africa’s recent three-Test series against England.