Four players have been ruled out of the Bulls' match against the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Friday.

Conrad van Vuuren, who joined the squad in Hamilton following a hamstring injury sustained to John-Roy Jenkinson after the opening tour match against the Blues in Albany, injured his ankle in training and will be replaced by Martin Dreyer.

Arno Botha, who started against the Chiefs on Saturday in place of the injured Hanro Liebenberg, is out with a knee injury and will be replaced by Jacques Potgieter, who missed the tour due to concussion. Liebenberg is expected to be fit for the match against the Sunwolves.

Flanker Ruan Steenkamp has ear and knee injuries, and will be replaced by Franco Naude, a midfielder. Centre Dries Swanepoel was earlier replaced by flyhalf Francois Brummer.

Scrumhalf Piet van Zyl is also returning home due to a lower back injury and is replaced by Ivan van Zyl.

The injured players are all returning to South Africa via Auckland, while the replacements will fly straight to Tokyo to join the squad.

Photo: Fiona Goodall/AFP Photo