The Vodacom Bulls will have to do without Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Papier for several weeks, after the 29-year-old underwent surgery on an ankle injury.
Head coach Johan Ackermann confirmed the news at Thursday’s team announcement ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash against Ulster at Loftus Versfeld.
Papier, the reigning SA URC Player of the Year, was hurt after coming off the bench in the Vodacom Bulls’ 56-20 Investec Champions Cup win over Stade Français in Pretoria last Saturday.
His absence leaves Paul de Wet and Zak Burger as the scrumhalf options in the match 23. De Wet keeps the No 9 jersey and again partners flyhalf Handré Pollard.
Ackermann has made wholesale changes to the forward pack for Saturday, but has kept his starting backline unchanged.
The Vodacom Bulls wish Papier a speedy recovery.
