Potgieter returns for Bulls

Former Springbok and Waratahs loose forward Jacques Potgieter will join the Bulls in Tokyo after recovering from a concussion.

The Bulls suffered a couple of injury setbacks following their tussle with the Chiefs in New Zealand, with four players unable to continue to Japan, where the Bulls will play the Sunwolves on Friday.

Conrad van Vuuren, who joined the squad in Hamilton following a hamstring injury sustained to John-Roy Jenkinson after the opening tour match against the Blues in Albany, injured his ankle in training and will return home. He will be replaced by Martin Dreyer.

Arno Botha, who started against the Chiefs on Saturday in place of injured Hanro Liebenberg, is out with a knee injury and will be replaced by former Springbok Potgieter, who missed the tour due to concussion. Liebenberg is expected to be fit for the match against the Sunwolves.

Flanker Ruan Steenkamp has picked up ear and knee injuries and will be replaced by Franco Naude, a midfielder. Centre Dries Swanepoel was earlier replaced by fly-half Francois Brummer.

While, Piet van Zyl is also returning home due to a lower back injury with Ivan van Zyl replacing him.

The injured players are all returning to South Africa via Auckland, while the replacements will fly straight to Tokyo to join the squad.