The Bulls will be boosted by Springbok number eight Pierre Spies joining the squad in New Zealand.
Springbok star to return to Super 14 champions Bulls squad.
The Bulls have been given a huge boost with the news that Springbok number eight Pierre Spies will join the squad in New Zealand.
Spies has been given the all-clear to continue playing rugby again, having been forced out of the game for the last six months with pulmonary embolism - the illness that forced him out of last year's World Cup.
Afrikaans Sunday newspaper
Sondag revealed the news and quoted Spies' uncle Dawie, who represents the family as saying that the number eight was raring to go.
"It's a wonderful day for our family to get such news. Pierre was at several specialists and they all gave him the all clear to play again," he told
Sondag.
"He left on the next flight to New Zealand."
Illness
Spies was never absolutely sure of his illness, after he coughed up blood in a Springbok training session, but Dawie Spies said he had followed a disciplined rehabilitation regime.
"The fact that the entire country also prayed for him to get better and the fact that the specialists could find nothing, is a miracle," Spies' uncle added.
"We however followed the rehabilitation programme as suggested by SA Rugby as a precaution and it is wonderful that he is back."
Spies' return will provide a much needed boost to the Bulls, who as reigning champions have struggled so far this season.
Despite an opening week victory over the Stormers they have struggled since, winning just one of their last five games - as well as suffering a 40-8 mauling at the hands of the Reds.
