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Bulls pivot Johan Goosen revealed he is still struggling with knee issues despite making his return to rugby this past weekend.
The playmaker limped off the field after 27 minutes in the Bulls' Champions Cup encounter in January and has been on the mend ever since. On Saturday, Goosen came off the bench to help his team home in their Challenge Cup knockout clash against Bayonne in France. He kicked two goals as the Bulls advanced to the quarterfinals.
However, speaking to the press after the match, Goosen revealed he is still feeling tender.
"I've been through this before," said the 32-year-old.
It's been tough, this time was very tough for me. I've still got a bit of pain but I must say the coaches are managing me well and I'm just happy to wear the jersey again and to have got that 10 or 15 minutes on the weekend.
"Hopefully, in a week or two, the pain will be better."
Next up for the travelling herd is Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium on Saturday.
"It will be a tough match for us," continued Goosen. "It is a quarterfinal, anything can happen. On a 4G artificial pitch they play a fast game and we've got a big pack, so I think they will try to move us around.
"They've got dangerous outside backs so we will have to try and keep the ball away from them. It's also a difficult place to play, the wind can be a factor, but we've played there before and have some plans."
In Goosen's absence, the Bulls have experimented with Springbok Willie le Roux at flyhalf at times, though young talent Keegan Johannes has been getting the bulk of the game time. In lieu of their problems at No.10, the Bulls have lured the mercurial Handre Pollard back to Loftus Versveld for next season.
"I've played with Polly at Montpellier for three seasons," added Goosen.
"He's won two World Cups and is a good player and a great signing for the Bulls and I think it is a positive for them. In terms of my contract, I still have one season left at the Bulls, so I'm just taking it day by day and being the best I can be for the team."
