Stegmann faces surgery

Team doctor Herman Rossouw, giving his weekly medical updated, confirmed that the 29-year-old sustaining a serious ankle injury.

Rossouw said Stegmann would undergo surgery next week Monday.

"He is expected to be out of action for around nine weeks," the doctor confirmed.

It will mean the six-times capped Bok will miss the start of the Super Rugby season.

The Bulls kick off their campaign against the Stormers at Newlands on February 27.

Stegmann was called up to the Springbok squad in November 2010, as a replacement to injured flank Schalk Burger, and was handed his first cap in the line-up to face Ireland on November 6.

The Boks won and Stegmann subsequently started every match on tour. He played another two Tests, against New Zealand and Australia, the following year.

Injuries have plagued his career since.

There was also some good news for the Bulls, with flank 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 six months.

Hooker Callie Visagie has returned to training after toe surgery at the end of last year and will be available for selection when the squad is named for the pre-season tour to Zimbabwe next week

Wing Duncan Matthews is set to be out for another three weeks due to a mild knee strain.