Blue Bulls flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter has been ruled out of Currie Cup action for a month with a rib injury.

The Bulls pivot suffered the injury during his side's 41-17 loss to Western Province over the weekend and will likely miss the next four weeks according to team doctor Org Strauss.

The injury is another blow to Bulls coach Frans Ludeke, whose team have endured a terrible start to their Currie Cup campaign following heavy defeats to the Golden Lions and Western Province.

Meanwhile, prop Morné Mellett has also been ruled out for four weeks after undergoing a scope on his knee last week.

Strauss went on to confirm the return to fitness of flyhalf Tian Schoeman, who will be fit to face the EP Kings in a bottom-of-the-table clash at Loftus on Saturday.

Dean Greyling (calf), Jürgen Visser (toe) and Akona Ndungane (Achilles) are still suffering with little niggles, but are expected to train on Tuesday.

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