ReportSpringboksSuperSport Rugby · SA Rugby Mag3h ago

Papier undergoes ankle surgery, out for weeks

Embrose Papier has undergone ankle surgery and faces weeks on the sideline after aggravating a pre-existing injury on his comeback appearance against Stade Français, with the Bulls facing Ulster at Loftus on Saturday.

The Bulls have lost Embrose Papier to ankle surgery, with coach Johan Ackermann confirming the scrumhalf went under the knife this week after aggravating an existing injury on his return to action against Stade Français in the Champions Cup last weekend.

Papier had already missed the start of the season with an ankle problem picked up during the Springbok end-of-year camp, making the Stade Français match his first appearance for the Bulls this season. The recurrence has now forced surgery, with Ackermann offering only that he "will be out for a few weeks."

The Bulls head into Saturday's URC home match against Ulster at Loftus with Paul de Wet set to start at scrumhalf, Zak Burger on the bench, and Keagan Johannes available as a further option at nine.

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