Triple boost for Bulls

Bulls team doctor Herman Rossouw confirmed that three key players have returned from injury ahead of the crucial Round Seven encounter with Griquas in Pretoria on Friday.

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Lock Jason Jenkins (knee), utility forward Jannes Kirsten (shoulder) and wing Luther Obi (ankle surgery) have all three recovered from injury and are available for selection.

The Bulls have just two matches left in their league campaign – against Griquas this week and Boland Cavaliers next week – before the play-offs.

They are in third place (with 20 points) and a win will give them some much-needed breathing space over the fourth-placed Griquas team (on 19 its) in the run-in to the play-offs

There are a few injury concerns from their 41-14 win over the Pumas at the weekend.

Hanro Liebenberg injured his thumb and Dries Swanepoel is struggling with a groin strain.

However, the team doctor believes they will a full recovery and join the team at training on Tuesday.

Ruan Steenkamp injured his hip and while results from scans were quite favourable, he is being monitored and a call on is availability is to be made later in the week.

Captain Arno Botha, who injured his shoulder two weeks ago, is making "steady progress" and a decision on his fitness will be made later this week.

Players on the long-term injury list (and sidelined for the rest of the season) include Handré Pollard, Warrick Gelant, Jan Serfontein, Daniel Kriel, Duncan Matthews.

Ethienne Swanepoel joined the list after he had an arthroscopy on his knee – which he as been struggling with for most of the season – and will also not feature again this year.