Hape's faces a lengthy period on the sidelines

The injury, a ruptured cruciate ligament, was sustained during training for the Tri Nations series and is likely to keep Hape out until July.

Bulls' coach Brian Noble said: "It is a blow. You want your best players playing and he is in that category.

"It is far from ideal, but we have coped without players before."

Noble was optimistic his side would be able to manage without Hape until later in the year, saying: "We coped without Shontayne for six or seven weeks last year and we are in a position to do that again.

"It is not the kind of start you want, but he will be back in July ready for the push at the end of the season."