Tim Dlulane

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Tim Dlulane (born 5 June 1981) is a South African rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the Bulls in the international Super 14 competition. Dluane has also played for the national team, the Springboks. He is a loose forward.

Whilst playing for the Pumas, Dluane was included in the Springboks squad for the end of year tours in Europe in 2004. He came off the bench in a Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. South Africa won the match by two points, 38 to 36. He produced a man-of-the-match performance as well as scoring a try for the Blue Bulls in the win over the Free State Cheetahs in the 2006 Currie Cup.

During a Blue Bulls match against the Lions during the 2006 regular season, an attempted tackle on a Lions player went wrong for Dlulane, as he smashed into the player's hip. At first it appeared that Dlulane had sustained a concussion, but after he complained of neck pains a further examination revealed a fracture. He was taken to Eugene Marais Hospital where he underwent an operation in which a screw and a plate were inserted into his neck in order to correct the damage. Dlulane is expected to be out for at least around a six-month period, however his playing future is still not 100% known.^[1]

The six months are to be a precautionary period, with a decision on his future to be made after.^[2] Blue Bulls head-coach said that Dlulane's injury was a "cruel blow" for the Bulls, as he had been one of the standouts throughout the season.^[3]