Werner Kruger and Arno Botha will miss the next few weeks of Vodacom Super Rugby because of injury.

The Bulls prop has been ruled out for at least six weeks, if not longer, after he picked up an ankle injury, while the No 8 will be out for two to three weeks with a pectoral injury.

Meanwhile, William Small-Smith, who played for the Blue Bulls against the Pumas in a warm-up match, injured his ankle and will be out of action for at least two weeks. Another midfielder, Burger Odendaal (knee) was ruled out for four to six weeks.

There is some good news on the propping front, with Dean Greyling training on Thursday and Marcel van der Merwe (knee/hamstring) due to return in two weeks.

Morné Mellett (ribs), Jacques du Plessis (hip), Hanro Liebenberg (back) and Basil Short (eye) will all train on Tuesday, but Akona Ndungane and Travis Ismaiel both trained on Monday and will be considered for Friday's match against the Hurricanes at Loftus Versfeld.

Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (shoulder) will also be rested for a week.

Flip van der Merwe (pectoral, mid-April), Hencus van Wyk (foot, three weeks), Pierre Schoeman (knee, five months) and Bandise Maku (pectoral, four months) have joined Kruger and Odendaal on the long-term injury list.

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images