The Bulls' scrum, identified by Johan Ackermann as a work-in-progress after last weekend's 47-13 win over Zebre Parma, faces a significant step up in Limerick on Saturday when they take on Munster.
The departure of Wilco Louw — arguably the premier tighthead in world rugby last season — has left a gap that the Bulls are still working to fill. Francois Kloppers is expected to start at tighthead against Munster, with Mornay Smith's availability uncertain after he picked up a twisted ankle against Zebre. Khutha Mchunu and newly recruited SA under-20 tighthead Mawande Mdanda are the other options in the squad.
Ackermann was candid about the scrum's inconsistency after the Zebre win. "The scrum was a bit mixed. We started really well first off, and then in the second half we conceded a few penalties, so that's a big work-on for us. You know, you're not always going to have the luxury of a scoreboard like tonight," he said.
The loosehead and hooker positions are better stocked, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Akker van der Merwe all available. In the second row, Rynhardt Ludwig offered partial cover for the departed Ruan Nortje in the lineout against Zebre, while former SA under-20 captain JF van Heerden will push for the lock jersey.
The Bulls name their side on Thursday.