News

Du Preez out of June Tests

May 19 2008

Springbok scrum-half Fourie du Preez is set to miss South Africa's June Tests against Wales and Italy after fracturing a bone in his left hand during the Bulls' 60-20 Super 14 win over the Cheetahs on Saturday.

Bulls team doctor Tommie Smook confirmed on Sunday that Du Preez is expected to undergo surgery this week and indications are he will be out of action for between four and six weeks, leaving the door open for his possible availability for the Tri-Nations which starts on July 5 with the Test against the All Blacks in Wellington.

When Du Preez made an early departure from the field in Bloemfontein he was replaced by Francois Hougaard. The exciting Bulls prospect has been selected for SA U20 side to play in the Junior World Championships in Wales.

With the Pretoria based franchise's other scrum-half Heini Adams also injured and included in Pieter de Villiers' first Springbok training squad, the Bulls face a headache in the position for the Currie Cup which kicks off on June 20.

Adams is recovering well but there is no certainty he will be fit in time for the Bulls first match, assuming he isn't in the Springbok Test squad. All this means that JP Joubert , who had an excellent Vodacom Cup, is likely to be the Bulls' first choice scrum-half for South Africa's premier domestic competition.