Olivier, Gerber set to bolster Bulls
The Bulls' spirits have been bolstered by the news that Springbok midfielder Wynand Olivier has been cleared fit to play for at least 30 minutes against the Highlanders this weekend.
Further good news is that Rayno Gerber, who joined the team on Tuesday, has also recovered sufficiently from an elbow injury to even play a full half if needed.
The duo were initially ruled out by coach Heyneke Meyer, but on Monday team doctor Tommy Smook said that both players would be able to take the field if necessary.
"Wynand can play for about 30-40 minutes, but we will probably bring him in slowly, and it is up to the management to decide when he is selected again," Smook said.
"Rayno should be okay to play between 40 and 50 minutes."
There was also good news from two other injured props. Danie Thiart has recovered from a twisted ankle while Ruan Vermeulen has shaken off a shoulder injury and will be available for the game in Dunedin.
Gerber's return will probably be the most welcome one for the Bulls, who sorely need the tighthead given the problems that they have experienced in the scrums of late, while Olivier may well be rested until next weekend's Hurricane match.
Springbok centre Wayne Julies has a back strain, but Smook confirmed he would resume training on Wednesday and should be available for selection as well.
In the meantime, Springbok flanker Pierre Spies is set to go for another examination of his knee on Tuesday, and depending on the outcome, could fly out to New Zealand at the weekend to make a comeback appearance against the Hurricanes.
Richard Bands, Johan Roets and JP Nel will all be available for selection for the Stormers game a week later, although there is a slight chance that Roets may be available next weekend.
Bulls attack coach Todd Louden has shrugged off the loss to the Crusaders and believes the Bulls should beat the Highlanders at Dunedin's "House of Pain".
"We let ourselves down at the weekend and we're fully aware of it. I believe we have learned from it and have to move on," Louden said.
"I think it was a case of the mid-tour blues that crept in there. We perhaps took our minds off the job and slipped up because of it."
Louden, who has spent the past few months trying to improve the skills of the side, said he was seeing progress, even though it was frustrating that things weren't clicking in the way he would have liked.
"The whole team's handling of the ball in contact is poor at the moment. The guys are dropping the ball far too much in contact. Other than that, the backline ran too laterally at the weekend. We literally ran away from our support.
"I think the hoodoo of losing in Australia has been broken, but we're seeing a stage where the All Blacks are about to come back and there are guys who are playing for their lives in the New Zealand teams. I suppose the old saying is true: In New Zealand, touring is heaven off-field, but hell on- field. I'm hoping that this is a one-off and we can bounce back from it."
Louden also took positives from the match against the Crusaders.
"The skills are there, some are up and some look a bit down and it is going to take a more time. But there are subtle differences that I see every time they play. In the last game, I don't think I'd seen the Bulls throw the ball around like that in years. Its going to take time, and I guess we are all a bit impatient, but the guys are progressing a lot quicker than we expected.
"The mandate was to build a foundation this year and take it forward next year."
Louden believes that the Highlanders will pose a very different challenge to the Bulls than the Crusaders.
"They are different. They have two great halfbacks and a couple of good backrowers. They also will be getting Anton Oliver and Carl Hayman back, so they will scrum well and will pose a very different challenge to the Crusaders. But from today's practice I can tell you the guys are up for it."
The Bulls know another victory will give them their most successful tour yet. But to achieve that they will have to play a whole lot better than at the weekend.