Bulls flyhalf Handré Pollard is likely to miss the start of the Super Rugby tournament with a shoulder injury.

Pollard has been playing for Japanese Top League side NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. The extent of the injury, and just how long he will be out for, is still to be determined.

'Handré is a bit of a concern at the moment, we will have a discussion with his specialist and see what the route forward is,' Bulls coach Nollis Marais told SuperSport.com. 'We need to decide how serious it is – is it only a two-week rehab or is it more serious. I’m waiting for Thys de Beer to give me a call regarding the shoulder.'

However, Marais is happy that they have the personnel to cover Pollard should he be out for longer than expected.

'It is a major concern for us, but luckily we brought in Francois Brummer [returning from stint at the Cheetahs] last year because I knew if something like this happens, we will have a bit of a problem,' Marais added. 'Tiaan [Schoeman] is also coming back from injury, he will be on the field next week.'

The Bulls will play two warm-up matches against the Cheetahs and Lions before their first Super Rugby match against the Stormers on 27 February.

Photo: Anne Laing/HSM Images