Centre Sango Xamlashe of the Vodacom Bulls receives medical attention during the United Rugby Championship match.

Image: BackpagePix

The Bulls earned valuable log points in their hard-fought 34-26 United Rugby Championship win over Ulster, but the victory came at a high cost, with Springboks Handré Pollard and Embrose Papier among a growing list of injury concerns.

Flyhalf Pollard, Sango Xamlashe and Cheswill Jooste all suffered injuries during the second half at Loftus Versfeld, while Papier last week underwent surgery for an ankle injury that will sideline the scrumhalf for some time.

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann confirmed Papier’s absence on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s clash against Ulster, with the 29-year-old SA URC Player of the Year injured after coming off the bench in the Bulls’ 56-20 Champions Cup demolition of Stade Français.

His absence leaves Paul de Wet and Zak Burger as the Bulls’ scrumhalf options.

Pollard, meanwhile, was forced off in the 70th minute against Ulster with a hamstring injury, while Jooste failed his head injury assessment (HIA). Xamlashe was stretchered off before the hour mark after suffering a concussion and was taken to hospital for further assessment.

“It’s our first game where we had a fair share of casualties,” Ackermann said after the match.

“The positive is that they are probably not muscular, or it’s not long-term stuff. It’s all head knocks, and it’s probably Handré’s that’s the bigger one. It’s a hamstring, and time will tell how long that’s going to be.”

The Bulls are also taking a cautious approach with Springbok winger Canan Moodie, who suffered a concussion against the Lions two weeks ago.

Moodie missed the opening round of the Champions Cup against Stade Français, and although he returned to training during the week, Ackermann said he was not yet ready for match action.

“Canan has got a return-to-play protocol with his concussion. Because of his past, we are taking it a little bit easier, so we will take it week by week and see where he is.

“He did well this week on his return, but we’ll reassess on Monday where he is.”

The injury setbacks forced Ackermann to reshuffle his backline, with De Wet even having to move to the wing, but captain Marcell Coetzee was pleased with how the team adapted.

“For most of the game our plan went well, in where and how we wanted to attack. We got one or two decisions or options wrong,” Coetzee said.

“But the boys did well in the first half and again early in the second, scoring from a drive exactly where we wanted to attack. There were some good adjustments, and everybody played their part despite the injuries.”

Coetzee was one of the major contributors to the victory, scoring twice against his former club after returning from several weeks out with a knee injury.

The captain was more bemused than angry after receiving a yellow card from referee Ru Campbell.

“It is what it is, and I’m disappointed because Ulster gathered a lot of momentum, though the boys did well to hold them out,” Coetzee said.

Despite the frustration, Coetzee was delighted to return to the field and lead the Bulls, particularly with the pressure mounting late in the contest.

“First of all, I feel very blessed to play again and to captain the team,” he said.

“It’s so much easier with strong leaders around you. That came through in the last couple of minutes, when the pressure was on and the boys pulled together, including the final call to go for the penalty kick rather than give them a point.

“That was backing from the leadership, because we know long-term what difference those points can make on the log.

“It was a compliment to the bravery of the team. It was also special to play against Ulster, a club I served for five years, and to show them respect with a performance.”

For Ackermann, the victory was a case of mixed emotions. The Bulls had done enough to secure the points, but the injuries and the way they allowed Ulster back into the contest left room for improvement.

“It does challenge you [getting injuries] because you have to shift players into different positions,” he said.

“Paul had to play wing and so on, but that’s not an excuse. We prepare for that in the week, and it’s more a bit of mixed emotions where we got the victory, but we felt we hung in there.”