The Waratahs will give Springbok recruit Jacques Potgieter another week to rest before involving him in pre-season fixtures.

Potgieter flew into Sydney last week from Japan, where he has been playing for Top League side Fukuoka Sanix Blues.

‘I don't know if I will play Potgieter yet. I will just make sure he has fully recovered from his stint over there; he has been playing footy the whole time and he had a little calf injury at one stage,’ said Waratahs coach Michael Cheika. ‘I will just see how I feel about whether I play him or not. I thought our locks did OK too, I want to give them a bit more time.’

Even though Potgieter played in the back row for the Bulls and Springboks, he will be used primarily as a lock for the NSW side in Super Rugby.

The Waratahs are set to play the Blues in their second pre-season match after losing 33-28 to the Rebels on Saturday.

Cheika will also welcome back Wallabies stars Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper this week.

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images