The Sigma Lions will host the Airlink Pumas in their second Carling Currie Cup encounter at Emirates Airline Park today, 19 January 2022 @ 15h30.
Both the Lions as well as the Pumas will be looking for their first win of the 2022 Currie Cup. The Lions lost to Western Province in Cape Town (36-48) in Round 1 while the Pumas went down against a strong URC based Vodacom Bulls (19-33) in Nelspruit.
Jimmy Stonehouse, head coach of the Pumas made it clear that he was not happy with his team performance and one can expect that the Pumas to have worked on their struggling scrummaging performance and will intensify their forward onslaught against their hosts today.
The Lions said after their match in Cape Town that they will give a lot of attention to their defensive effort but did indicate that their attacking mindset will continue throughout the Currie Cup season.
Thinus de Beer will be vital for the hopes of the visitors and will look to control the game with his boot testing the back three of the Lions at every opportunity he gets.
Expect an interesting battle with the Pumas that will be looking for a physical battle to expose the Lions' lack of defence while the Lions will be looking to run at every opportunity from anywhere on the pitch.
Sigma Lions head coach Mzwakhe Nkosi made several changes to the side that travelled to Cape Town on Saturday.
At the back, former Junior Springboks Tyler Bocks and Manuel Rass link up in the midfield. Scrumhalf Ginter Smuts starts in the number nine position to face his old side.
Other changes see lock Lunga Ncube slot in for the injured Simon Dionisio. Sibusiso Sangweni and Morne Brandon (both who did duty for the Emirates Lions on their Vodacom United Rugby Championship away tour) complete the forward pack.
Airlink Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has made six changes to the side that lost to the Vodacom Bulls (38-26) in Nelspruit on Saturday.
At the back, Ali Mgjima replace Robbie Petzer at the inside centre while Lucky Dlepu did enough when he came on against the Cheetahs to earn his place in the starting line-up.
Injured captain Willie Engelbrecht is replaced by Kwanda Dimaza, while the captaincy is handed to Phumzile Maqondwama who is promoted from the bench as a flanker.
Malembe Mpofu replaces injured Shane Kirkwood while Corne Fourie (hooker) and Ruan Kramer (loosehead) form the new frontrow with IG Prinsloo.
Weather: 23° Celsius, partly cloudy with a slim possibility of rain.
Prediction: Lions by 3.
Sigma Lions: 15.Quan Horn 14. Boldwin Hansen 13. Manuel Rass 12. Tyler Bocks 11. Zeilinga Strydom 10. Vaughen Isaacs 9. Ginter Smuts 8. Jarod Cairns 7. Sibusiso Sangweni 6. Mark Snyman 5. Lunga Ncube 4. PJ Steenkamp 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2. Morne Brandon 1.Banele Mthenjane Replacements: 16. Dameon Venter 17.Heiko Pohlmann 18. Sibusiso Shongwe 19.Ruan Venter 20. MJ Pelser 21. Nico Steyn 22. James Tedder 23. James Mollentze.
Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Tapiwa Mafura, 13. Sebastain de Klerk, 12. Ali Mgijima, 11. Lundi Msenge, 10. Thinus de Beer, 9. Lucky Dlepu, 8. Kwanda Dimaza, 7. Phumzile Maqondwana (c), 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Darrien Landsberg, 4. Malembe Mpofu, 3. Ignatius Prinsloo, 2. Corne Fourie, 1. Ruan Kramer. Replacements: 16. Llewellyn Classen, 17. Dewald Maritz, 18. Simon Raw, 19. Brandon Valentyne, 20. Khwezi Mafu, 21. Giovan Snyman, 22. Alwayno Visagie, 23. Andries Viljoen.