Bulls Triumph Comes at a Cost as Le Roux Fitness in Doubt Ahead of URC Final
The Bulls’ thrilling United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final victory over Leinster at Loftus Versfeld may have come at a price, as they sweat over the fitness of experienced full-back Willie le Roux.
The two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok is a serious doubt for the URC Grand Final against Glasgow Warriors in Pretoria on Saturday after he left the field in the Bulls’ 25-20 win against the Irish province with a head injury.
“Le Roux, 34, underwent a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) following a dangerous hit from Leinster second-row Joe McCarthy in the 55th minute, which he ultimately failed. The Bulls boss, Jake White, revealed that Le Roux’s issue is not just an HIA, as he also took a blow to his neck.”
This latest injury concern for the Bulls comes after they recently lost Canan Moodie (hand) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (cheekbone) to injuries in their recent victories over the Sharks and Benetton. White acknowledged the challenge of losing Springboks who have won the Rugby World Cup, stating, “It’s obviously not great because we’ve also Canan and Kurt-Lee out – [it seems like if] you’re picked for the Boks and play in the World Cup you don’t get to play for the Bulls every week.”
Despite the injury woes, White praised Le Roux’s performance before he was forced off, highlighting the experienced full-back’s excellent kicking and playmaking abilities. The Bulls boss acknowledged that “opportunity comes next week for someone else” if Le Roux is unavailable for the URC final.
Meanwhile, White also provided an update on the fitness of Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee, who was initially set to return to action against Leinster but should be available for selection in the URC final.
As the Bulls gear up for their second URC final appearance, they will be hoping that Le Roux can recover in time to lead their charge for the prestigious trophy. The team’s depth and resilience will be tested, but White is confident that they can overcome the challenge and deliver another memorable performance.
🔗 Source
