The Vodacom Bulls have been dealt an untimely Investec Champions Cup setback with one of their young flyers sidelined.

Hot-stepping young wing Cheswill Jooste missed last week’s loss to defending champions Bordeaux Begles and hasn’t made the trip to England for Saturday’s match against the Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.

The 19-year-old Junior Springbok, one of the most exciting backline prospects at Loftus, has been withdrawn from the Bulls’ official Champions Cup squad after picking up a shoulder injury.

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Bulls communications manager Clinton van der Berg confirmed Jooste’s injury to Netwerk24, adding that the medical team is still determining how long he’ll be sidelined. He can, however, be re-registered with the squad once fit.

It’s a frustrating blow for both player and franchise. Jooste – a standout in the Junior Boks side that lifted the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy – had been tipped to make his European debut in the coming weeks as coach Johan Ackermann looks to unleash more youthful firepower abroad.

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His last outing in blue came during the Bulls’ 43-33 Vodacom URC defeat to the Lions at Loftus last month, where he came off the bench for Jan Serfontein.

Veteran winger Sergeal Petersen has taken Jooste’s place in the squad.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images