The Blue Bulls received a timely boost with the news that Springbok flank Wikus van Heerden, who is carrying a rib injury, may play against the Sharks in a crucial Absa Currie Cup match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Van Heerden injured his ribs in the opening round against the Lions, but he is optimistic that he will be able to face the Sharks in Pretoria.

The Bulls' team doctor, Org Strauss, said on Monday that there is a 70 percent possibility that Van Heerden will play and the player himself is very keen to get back on the playing field as soon as possible.

Flyhalf Derick Hougaard (abscess) and fullback Zane Kirchner (groin) recovered from their respective injuries and they are eligible for the weekend's match, while World Cup-winning Bok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez will hopefully be fit when the Bulls play the Cheetahs at Loftus in two weeks' time.

Du Preez trained under the watchful eye of Strauss as well as the team's conditioner Basil Carzis on Monday and the Springbok scrumhalf is optimistic that his hand injury is something of the past.

Du Preez trained without a brace on his hand, but Monday was the first time in quite a while that he started passing again.

Other good news is that prop Rayno Gerber is all right after he injured his arm in the heart-breaking 17-26 loss against Western Province at the weekend and Francois van Schouwenburg, who injured his calve muscle, will also be fit to play against the Sharks.

However, the South African Under-20 centre pairing of Stephan Dippenaar and Stefan Watermeyer will not be considered for the Bulls' next game.

Dippenaar is carrying an arm injury and will be on the sideline for another week, while Watermeyer's knee will force him to sit on the pavilion for at least 14 days.

AFP