Bulls centre Burger Odendaal will be sidelined for at least four weeks after suffering a quad injury against the Cheetahs.

Odendaal, who has been a stalwart in the Bulls midfield, needed surgery urgently and went under the knife on Sunday to give him the best chance of recovery, according to team doctor Herman Rossouw.

'Jan Serfontein and Rudy Paige also picked up niggles, but should make a full recovery and return to training on Tuesday,' Rossouw added.

Odendaal's injury is a big blow to the Bulls backline, especially after star fullback Warrick Gelant was also ruled out for six weeks last Friday. 

Utility back Jesse Kriel replaced Gelant at fullback against the Cheetahs, but will in all likelihood shift to centre to partner Jan Serfontein in midfield. That could open the door for SP Marais to start at fullback against the Kings, who discarded him earlier this year. 

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