Rugby-Bulls lose Bok lock De Jager for Lions battle

South Africa lock Lood de Jager has been ruled out of the Bulls side for their Super Rugby clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday with a shoulder injury and is expected to spend at least two weeks on the sidelines. The Springbok second-row player was forced from the field 15 minutes into last weekend's 27-12 loss to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

Flyhalf Handre Pollard will take over the captaincy in De Jager's absence, while junior Bok Eli Snyman will earn a first Super Rugby start in the number five jersey. The Bulls have also included Sevens convert Dylan Sage in a new-look centre pairing with Jesse Kriel as he takes over from Burger Odendaal.

The Pretoria-based side started their Super Rugby season with an emphatic 40-3 mauling of the Stormers, but were poor in their error-strewn defeat to the Jaguares. (Reporting By Nick Said Editing by Christian Radnedge)