Player management in this, a World Cup year, is once again in the spotlight. And the three-time defending champion Bulls seem to have the perfect blueprint on the subject.

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Bulls coach, Frans Ludeke, said that they will follow the tried-and-trusted process of past years.

Nobody can argue that they have one of the best player-management structures, considering that they continue to provide a substantial number of players to the national team.

And with three Super Rugby titles in the past four years, to go along with two semifinal finishes in the years preceding their championship run, they must be doing something right.

“You have to be hands on and take it from week to week,” Ludeke answered,  when asked about his plans to manage not just his entire Super Rugby squad, but also the Springboks.

“Decisions will be made on where the player is, psychologically and how he looks physically,” the Bulls coach said, adding: “If there are minor, soft tissue injuries, then you make those calls on a weekly basis.

“I have learnt [over the years] that you simply can’t look too far ahead.”

The Bulls mentor do have long-term plans, but adds things could change in an instant and you have to be flexible.

“We know that we have to manage the players, as we also have a large number of players who have international commitments and could make a huge contribution in the Tests as well.

“We are very sensitive to those issues,” Ludeke said, adding:”That is why it is important to manage that on a weekly basis.”

Asked about the clamour for the Boks to be rested across the board, as South Africa aim to become the first team to successfully defend their title – when the tournament takes place in New Zealand from September – Ludeke again said that the Bulls’ tried-and-trusted method will be implemented.

He admitted that it is indeed a tricky balancing act, between trying to win an expanded Super Rugby series and keeping the Boks fresh.

“We do see the bigger picture – you can’t ignore that.

“I have already had discussions with the national coach and this coming Monday we have another meeting where we will discuss some issues.

“However, we have not had problems with player management in the past and I can’t see that it will be a problem this year.

“The players’ health and keeping them in peak form are also very important,”he said of a Super season that starts next month and ends with the expanded play-offs in July.

Ludeke also had some pleasing news on the injury front, with most of his injured Boks returning to the training field this week.

‘”It is improving and looking very good,” Ludeke said, when asked about a pre-season injury list that featured the likes of – Wynand Olivier (groin), Gurthrö Steenkamp (fractured arm), Fourie du Preez (shoulder surgery), Pierre Spies (hamstring) and Gary Botha (ankle).

“Wynand Olivier and Gurthrö Steenkamp are both back in training,” the coach said, adding: “Gurthrö had his first contact this week.

“Fourie du Preez has recovered completely from his shoulder surgery. He hasn’t been involved much in the contact sessions, but he is training and it is controlled contact.

“Pierre Spies has some minor niggles, while Gary Botha is having a full week of training.

“It is going very well and it is all well managed.”

Forgotten Bok wing Akona Ndungane has also started training again, after recovering from a second horrific leg fracture, which ruled him out for most of 2010.

Bulls and Bok stand-in captain Victor Matfield is also being managed, as he works through neck and shoulder niggles. However, he is set to be fully fit for the start of the season.