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Gio Aplon is out of season
- Bulls star Gio Aplon will no longer participate in the Bulls’ national campaign.
- The 38-year-old veteran injured an anterior cruciate ligament in last week’s meeting with the Cheetahs and will be out for six to eight months.
- Rising star David Kriel is expected to be his replacement.
The Bulls’ attack has suffered considerable damage following the news that Gio Aplon will miss the remainder of the national rugby campaign.
The 38-year-old veteran, one of Jake White’s biggest signings during the lockdown, tore an ACL in his knee at last weekend’s Super Rugby Unlocked meeting with the Cheetahs, which will require surgery.
Aplon will have surgery on Wednesday and will likely have to be away for six to eight months.
White revealed after the narrow 17-19 loss that his experienced playmaker was immediately concerned about the injury, as he had “never experienced anything of this nature before.”
Aplon’s long absence is expected to open the door for the talented 21-year-old David Kriel to replace him as the last line of defense.
He is expected to be named No. 15 for Saturday’s vital clash with the Sharks at Loftus.
The former Junior Springbok star is also one of White’s new signings and has wasted little time rising in the senior group of the former World Cup-winning coach.
“I am very sorry for him. I wish him a good recovery, ”said Kriel.
“The whole team is going to miss his voice on match days, but he is still present in training and I am still learning a lot from him.”
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