The Vodacom Bulls head to Ireland on Monday night with 13 Springboks in their ranks.
However, a failed HIA scuppered Marcell Coetzee’s chances and he will remain at home – for now – where he will be regularly assessed by medical staff.
The flanker, who had led the Bulls to URC wins against the Ospreys and Leinster, is replaced as captain by hooker Johan Grobbelaar.
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Meanwhile, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse remains in rehab nursing a hamstring injury, but could be considered down the line.
Also, as per player welfare protocols, tighthead Wilco Louw will be replaced after week two by Khuta Mchunu.
Lock Ruan Nortje is also staying at home to rest, but will be available if an SOS goes out.
The Bulls have been bolstered by the return of Cheswill Jooste, Jan Serfontein and Cobus Wiese, all of who missed the Leinster match.
The addition of Springboks like Handre Pollard, Wilco Louw and Canan Moodie will add steel to the squad, although the challenge, as intimated by coach Johan Ackermann, will be to seamlessly integrate them.
“We’ve got individual plans in place, but injuries have already forced one or two changes,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll integrate them quickly. It’s probably the biggest challenge for Handré, just because he’s the newest addition, while the others have played with us before.”
Ackermann’s side will play Ulster, Connacht and Glasgow.
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Bulls squad: Alulutho Tshkweni, Canan Moodie, Cheswill Jooste, Cobus Wiese, David Kriel, Devon Williams, Embrose Papier, Francois Kloppers, Gerhard Steenekamp, Handré Pollard, Harold Vorster, Jan Hendrik Wessels, Jan Serfontein, Jean Else, Jeandre Rudolph, JJ Theron, Johan Grobbelaar (c), Johan Goosen, Keagan Johannes, Marco van Staden, Mornay Smith, Mpilo Gumede, N J van Rensburg, Nama Xaba, Paul de Wet, Reinhardt Ludwig, Sebastian de Klerk, Stravino Jacobs, Wilco Louw, Willie le Roux, Zak Burger.
Non-travelling reserves: Etienne Janneke, Esethu Mnebelele, Khuta Mchunu, Sintu Manjezi, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Kurt-Lee Arendse (pending fitness), Stedman Gans, Sergeal Petersen.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
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