The Vodacom Bulls have been left to sweat over the status of star prop Wilco Louw as Jake White’s side prepares for the crucial Champions Cup match against in-form Bordeaux in Pretoria on Saturday.
Louw was forced off in the first half of the Vodacom Bulls’ 31-17 away win against the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate last Saturday.
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The tighthead prop, who has been in terrific form since returning to South Africa from English side Harlequins, played just 30 minutes before he was forced to withdraw after suffering what White confirmed is a shoulder injury.
“We will have to have a look and see how he pulls up this week,” White said, after the match.
“I am not sure what the exact extent of his injury is. When we get back home we will do some scans.”
White was pleased with the performance of Louw’s replacement Khutha Mchunu, who scored his first try for the Vodacom Bulls in just his second appearance after joining from the Sharks in the off-season.
The Vodacom Bulls can also look to Mornay Smith and 37-year-old Jacques van Rooyen as potential replacements at tighthead, should Louw be ruled out of Saturday’s match at Loftus Versfeld.
Bordeaux currently top Pool 1 in the Champions Cup after thrashing three-time champions Saracens, while the Vodacom Bulls are in third-place.
Photo: Vodacom Bulls/Johan Rynners