Bulls vs Scarlets: Handré Pollard hamstring injury clouds URC clash

Handré Pollard is in doubt for the Bulls in their next URC match, against the Scarlets. The flyhalf hurt his hamstring in the closing stages of the win over Ulster.

The Bulls won that game 34-26 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 24 October. His coach was not putting a timeline on the injury.

"Handré has done a hamstring and time will tell how long he’ll be out," said Johan Ackermann.

Pollard is not the only Bulls player in treatment. Wing Canan Moodie is going through the return-to-play protocol for concussion. Ackermann saw some comfort in the nature of the injuries.

"It was the first game where we really suffered some casualties, but the positive is a few of them are just head knocks, nothing long-term," he said.

Six of their squad played in the Springboks' last Test, the defeat by Australia in Perth, and TimesLIVE reported that Ackermann expects to be able to pick them for the Scarlets game.

Ackermann also plans to ask for clarity this week on several decisions made by Scottish referee Ru Campbell in the Ulster match. Captain Marcell Coetzee was shown a yellow card in that game.

The Scarlets game is the last URC fixture before a five-week break. When the league resumes, the Bulls face the Lions in a derby at Ellis Park.