Bulls sweat on Marcell Coetzee and Zak Burger injuries ahead of crucial Sharks URC derby

The Bulls are sweating on the fitness of influential veteran Marcell Coetzee and scrumhalf Zak Burger ahead of their Durban derby against the Sharks on Saturday (kick-off 6pm).

While the duo are not believed to be seriously injured ahead of the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash, things are looking far gloomier for flyhalf Kade Wolhuter, who appears to have picked up a serious knee injury in the devastating loss to Northampton Saints this past weekend.

The flyhalf, who joined the Bulls on loan from the Lions, has apparently damaged his MCL and is currently on crutches. He will go for scans on Wednesday and only then will there be clarity on the extent of the injury.

Coetzee and Burger are senior players, and the Loftus side will hope for better news from their reports. However, should they lose them to rib and calf injuries respectively, it would be a massive blow to their aspirations at Kings Park. Both players will also be assessed on Wednesday to determine whether they can play on Saturday.

The Bulls are under massive pressure after consecutive losses in the European Champions Cup and are struggling for form and momentum under head coach Johan Ackermann. Their first URC derby clash will be a major indicator of where they currently find themselves. Should they fail to secure a win, they will head into their north-south derby with the Stormers in January under heavy scrutiny.

Coming off a gritty home win in soaking wet conditions against Saracens, the Sharks will hope they have turned a corner as they welcome the Bulls for SharksFest at the Shark Tank.

With their Bok-laden side awaiting the visitors, interim head coach JP Pietersen will hope conditions allow for a smoother game for his team. For all their pedigree, they struggled to put the English side away, though it helped Saracens that they are more accustomed to playing in those conditions.

However, the under-pressure Sharks were galvanised by the arrival of their internationals ahead of the second Champions Cup clash, and their presence will be even more important in their first local derby. The coastal side are still the holders of the SA Shield, which they won ahead of the Bulls last season, and will be eager to start their defence strongly.

With the visitors likely to be without a couple of key players, the Sharks will be licking their lips at what awaits on Saturday afternoon.