By Brenden Nel.
The Vodacom Bulls return to training at Loftus Versfeld today after a 10 day break fully aware that they now head into the business section of the season and need to be at their best.
Coach Jake White returns to the training field after missing the side’s last two games and undergoing an emergency operation after returning from Europe and will be keen to get down to work ahead of the massive north-south derby that looms on February 18.
Also back at Loftus Versfeld is winger S’bu Nkosi, who returns after being granted time off to deal with mental issues after going missing back in November.
While it is understandably too early to know if Nkosi will be back in action against the Stormers, the Bulls will be keen to assess just where he is ahead of the tough road ahead and if his mind is now focused again on rugby.
Initial behind-the-scenes reports are that Nkosi was keeping the Bulls hierarchy abreast of his recovery and had been hard at training while away from the team, and appreciated the time off to get his mind right.
But if he is back at Loftus the obvious question will be if he has recovered enough to take his place in the side.
The Bulls will be without their two Bok wingers – Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie are on extended Springbok rest periods at the moment and won’t be available for the Stormers match next week so Nkosi’s presence would be good for the side.
Add to that the leg injury to Stravino Jacobs and the Bulls may be a bit thin on the wing stocks, although there is enough talent in the squad to cover if needs be – especially with David Kriel, Wandisile Simelane and Cornal Hendricks all able to play on the wing.
White’s return will add some spice to the encounter, especially as the Bulls have already sold 15 000 tickets for the clash and his team have lost the last four encounters to the Stormers, making it more of a grudge match than he would like to admit.
But more than that the Bulls need the points at home for their campaign to send them into the playoff rounds with a better chance of a home playoff game, with travel playing such a major part of any campaign at the moment.
There are likely to be some other injury updates, and the Bulls will be looking to push their strongest squad onto the park next weekend, but will still enjoy flying under the radar for the next week.
For now it will be about resetting and refocusing ahead of a massive game, and welcoming Nkosi back into the fold.