The latest round of the URC competition came at a heavy cost as the likes of Andre Esterhuizen, Handre Pollard and Deon Fourie all suffered what looked to be serious injuries.

According to the Bulls, Pollard has now undergone a scan on a hamstring complaint, and there are understandable concerns that it is an injury that could rule him out of the end-of-year tour.

Meanwhile, the Sharks have also revealed that three out of the four players who picked up injuries last weekend will now return to South Africa for further assessments.

Esterhuizen – who recently captained the Springboks- sustained a right ankle injury, and he is set to be ruled out of the November Tests.

Phatu Ganyane suffered an injury to his right elbow, and Jurenzo Julius picked up a right hamstring injury.

“All three players will undergo scans and consult with specialists on their return home to determine the severity of their injuries,” the Sharks added in a statement.

Springbok players among the walking wounded

In addition to the injury worry over Pollard, the Bulls released the following injury report.

  • Canan Moodie (wing/centre): Moodie has returned to training under the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) return-to-play protocols. He will not be considered for selection this week.
  • Cheswill Jooste (wing): Jooste has undergone an operation for a broken cheekbone. Having been concussed during the match against Ulster, he faces a mandatory two-week stand-down under HIA protocols, and extended rest has been recommended.
  • Sango Xamlashe (centre): Xamlashe will not be considered for selection this week after he completed HIA protocols following a concussion in Saturday’s match.
  • Embrose Papier (scrumhalf): Papier is recovering from an ankle operation and will be out for several weeks.
  • Thaakir Abrahams (wing): Abrahams is expected to recover from a hamstring injury within one week.

Stormers also assessing injured players

Fourie is expected to be out of action for an extended period, and it could ultimately spell the end of his time at Springbok level, Hacjivah Dayimani will be sidelined for at least one more week due to a head knock, while André-Hugo Venter suffered an elbow injury.

Stormers boss John Dobson praised his players for overcoming a series of injuries before holding on for a 52-40 victory over the Scarlets in round four of the URC competition.

“That’s our game, the set-piece. And then minutes 60 to 80 is when the hurt is meant to be done, and then suddenly we had that taken away (due to injuries).

“It was absolutely bizarre. That’s where I give them credit, because they weren’t getting it from the guys in the coaches’ box.

“I thought actually the way we closed it, we were in ascendancy for the last 10 minutes, which was remarkable given no set-piece for a set-piece team.

“The way we defended at the end there, it was probably our best period of defence.”