The Blue Bulls will be without captain Ruan Steenkamp for their opening Currie Cup match against Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

The flanker has a hamstring niggle, while centre Dries Swanepoel has not yet recovered from a quad contusion sustained in the Rugby Challenge semi-final against Western Province two weeks ago.

Wing Jamba Ulengo has started selected training sessions but will not be available for selection this weekend.