Bulls coach Johan Ackermann offers injury update on three key Springboks

Speaking ahead of Saturday's must-win Investec Champions Cup clash against Bristol Bears at Loftus Versfeld, Ackermann confirmed the trio are making good progress, while warning that medical protocols will ultimately decide when they can be selected.

"Kurt-Lee and Canan both still have to get through the concussion protocols," Ackermann said. "We'll probably know by Monday if they're available for the next games.

"Kurt-Lee has been out for a while, so hopefully he's a bit closer than Canan. Canan is the one who has to have the compulsory 12-day rest and still pass the protocols, so it's a bit more uncertain.

"But Kurt-Lee has also been out of rugby for eight or nine weeks. We have to be fair to him as well. Where will he be? How sharp will he be? It's nice to have them back, but we still have to make decisions on where they fit into the team."

As for Hanekom, who has been out of action since suffering a severe hamstring tendon tear in the United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Sharks in June 2025, Ackermann said the Bok hardman's return to action was being managed very carefully due to the seriousness of his injury.

"We're sticking to our plan," he said.

The Bulls coach added that the Bulls were also adhering to the mandatory rest periods for all of their national players.

"Half of the Springboks have already had their rest, and the other half will get their three weeks after the Lions game. It's not a mad dash for glory.

"We'll have everybody back in March. By the end of February, everyone would have had their breaks, and then we can reassess where we are as a team in both competitions."

Ackermann is confident the Bulls will be well placed to finish the season strongly once their full squad is available and provides some consistency in selection.

"It's a different team from what it was in a sense, although people think it's the same squad, but the same squad hasn't played continuously the amount of games that brings you confidence and brings you momentum.

"At this stage, I think we're close. Hopefully if we can get that going in the next couple of weeks, getting the players back and getting consistency in our selection, we will have a new start for our season and our campaign."

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