{
  "id": 16613548,
  "title": "Bulls, Boks holding breath for positive Pollard news, but Moodie ready to play",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/bulls-boks-holding-breath-for-positive-pollard-news-but-moodie-ready",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T14:30:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/bulls-boks-holding-breath-positive-pollard-news-moodie-ready-play/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Bulls are anxiously awaiting news about the potential availability of flyhalf Handré Pollard for their upcoming match against Scarlets in Pretoria. Pollard suffered a hamstring injury during their recent win against Ulster, and scans are set to determine the extent of the damage. If Pollard is deemed unfit to play this weekend, he may be excluded from the Bulls' lineup even if he later qualifies for the Springbok squad in the Nations Championship matches in Europe. The Boks are scheduled to face Italy, Ireland, and France in the upcoming matches, followed by the Finals Weekend.\n\nCurwin Bosch, a recent addition to the Bulls, might seize the opportunity to start at flyhalf this weekend, regardless of Pollard's fitness. Meanwhile, wing Cheswill Jooste is sidelined after breaking his cheekbone and undergoing surgery, ruling him out of the Boks' tour next month. Centre Sango Xamlashe is also excluded from selection following his recovery from a concussion.\n\nUtility back Canan Moodie has returned to training under the HIA return-to-play protocols but remains outside the consideration for selection this week. He is expected to be part of the Bok squad starting from later this week. On the injury front, scrumhalf Embrose Papier is recuperating from an ankle operation and will miss several weeks, further impacting the Bok's lineup. Recently signed wing Thaakir Abrahams is anticipated to recover from his hamstring injury within a week, but he will not participate this weekend.\n\nThe URC competition will take a breather during November for the Nations Championship Tests in Europe, with the final Bok squad likely to be announced in the coming days.",
  "summary": "There are concerns the Bok flyhalf will not be available for the tour of Europe next month.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Concern over Pollard as Bulls count cost of hard-fought Ulster win",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/concern-over-pollard-as-bulls-count-cost-of-hard-fought-ulster-win",
        "published": "2026-10-25T09:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}