The Airlink Pumas have adjusted their backline for Friday’s match against the Suzuki Griquas, kicking off at 15:00 SAST. While the coaching staff has kept the forward pack and halfbacks identical to the side that faced the DHL Stormers XXIII, the back three and bench options feature a few tactical changes.
The starting tight five remains unchanged, with props Etienne Janeke and Sampie Swiegers packing down alongside hooker Chyle van Zyl. JJ Scheepers and Tiaan de Klerk continue their partnership in the second row, while captain Willie Engelbrecht anchors the scrum at Number 8 next to flankers Ruwald van der Merwe and Thabo Ndimande.
The halfback pairing of Thomas Bursey and Nevaldo Fleurs also stays in place to direct the play. The midfield also remains, with Wian van Niekerk and Sango Xamlashe lining up at inside and outside centre respectively.
The modifications are limited to the back three and the bench. Jaycee Nel moves from the bench to start at fullback, replacing Tino Swanepoel. On the right wing, Darren Adonis is promoted to the starting fifteen in place of Alfonso Isaacs, who drops out of the matchday squad.
These selection choices shift Swanepoel to the bench, where he takes over the number 23 jersey as an outside back replacement. The final change is on the bench, where Clinton Swart comes into the matchday squad in the number 22 jersey to provide additional midfield and utility coverage.
Airlink Pumas: 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Darren Adonis, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Chyle van Zyl, 1 Etienne Janeke. Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Zikisa Sali, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Russwill Fredericks, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Tino Swanepoel.