BULLS No 8 Pierre Spies has been laid off until Thursday to give him time to recover from a knee injury he suffered against the Brumbies in a Super 14 match at Loftus Stadium, team doctor Org Strauss said yesterday.

BULLS No 8 Pierre Spies has been laid off until Thursday to give him time to recover from a knee injury he suffered against the Brumbies in a Super 14 match at Loftus Stadium, team doctor Org Strauss said yesterday.

Spies is expected to join the rest of the team at training on Friday.

Strauss said Spies' injury was not serious but that they decided to rest him as a precautionary measure.

"Spies should be fit to play against the Waratahs on Saturday at Loftus. But he will train with the team on Friday," Strauss said.

Danie Rossouw, who pulled out of the team on the eve of their match against the Brumbies, was back at training yesterday after recovering from the neck spasms that had sidelined him.

Strauss said: "He will be on light duty during the week but is expected to play on Saturday."

Strauss also confirmed that Dewald Potgieter will be available for selection after recovering from a knee strain.

Blue Bulls Company chief executive Barren van Graan is relieved that Bulls captain Victor Matfield was found not guilty of foul play after being cited following Saturday's match against the Brumbies at Loftus.

Matfield appeared yesterday before a Sanzar (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) judicial committee chaired by Advocate Jannie Lubbe in Pretoria.

"We are excited that the hearing is over and we are satisfied with the outcome," Van Graan said.

The Springbok captain will be available for the Waratahs game in Pretoria on Saturday.