The Bulls have suffered a significant injury blow ahead of their Super Rugby campaign, with influential flanker Deon Stegmann sustaining a serious ankle injury.

Providing a pre-season medical report, team doctor Herman Rossouw confirmed that Stegmann would undergo an operation next week. He is expected to be out of action for around nine weeks, which will see him miss the start of the Super Rugby season. The Bulls kick off their campaign against the Stormers on 27 February.

In a timely return, though, fellow flanker Roelof Smit is set to rejoin the team in training within the next week after recovering from a wrist injury that kept him on the sidelines for several months.

Hooker Callie Visagie has already returned to training after toe surgery, but winger Duncan Matthews is set to be out for another three weeks due to a mild knee strain.

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