Arno Botha, Morné Mellett and Jesse Kriel will miss the Bulls' Vodacom Super Rugby opener against the Sharks in Durban.

Botha will undergo surgery on his injured ACL and will be out of rugby for at least six months.

Mellett is two weeks away from returning to action as he is recovering from a back injury and Kriel's contused calf will take another three weeks to heal.

The rest of the squad has been declared fit, although Deon Stegmann will only train on Wednesday as he is recovering from a groin strain.

Photo: Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix