Carling Currie Cup action resumes today after a break of two weeks with the first match between hosts Tafel Lager Griquas and Airlink Pumas @ 15h30.
This match will be extremely physical up front and most probably determine the winner. In such a forward dominated match the success of the flyhalves will play a big role and fortunately, ex Griquas star Tinus de Beer is in great form and might just be the difference.
Airlink Pumas are a settled team and their forwards have already established themselves as a force in the Carling Currie Cup competition and should be more than ready for the expected physical battle, while, the Tafel Lager Griquas have a young team that is still finding its way in the competition. This should see the Pumas travelling home with the maximum points in the bag.
Tafel Lager Griquas are still looking for their first win of the 2022 Carling Currie Cup season after suffering losses against the Toyota Cheetahs (20-30) and Cell C Sharks (23-24) away from home.
Tafel Lager Griquas will miss their experienced halfback pair of scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and flyhalf George Whitehead for their home clash against the Airlink Pumas. Their replacements, Theo Boshoff and Raegan Oranje are two of four changes made to the side, mainly due to injury. This will be the first home outing for the Kimberley outfit after playing two away games.
The following players were not considered for selection due to injury: Andrew Beerwinkel, Cameron Lindsay, Jay-Cee Nel, Carl Els, George Whitehead, Stefan Ungerer, Ashlon Davids.
Airlink Pumas head Jimmy Stonehouse made two changes to his matchday twenty-three. The only change in the starting lineup is Jade Stighling that returns from injury on the wing. On the bench, Eddie Fouche makes a welcome return to the Pumas squad.
Meanwhile, the Airlink Pumas have announced just one tweak from the team that dismantled the Sigma Lions in their previous outing two weeks ago. Jade Stighling was handed the No 11 jersey in a rotational switch with Lundi Msenge. Matches between these two sides are usually close-fought affairs, with the teams playing to a 13-13 draw and a four-point win for the Lowvelders in their 2021 fixtures.
Weather: 29° Celsius, cloudy with a high % of humidity with no rain expected and a moderated northerly wind.
Prediction: Airlink Pumas by 15.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15. Rynhardt Jonker, 14. Munier Hartzenberg, 13. Christopher Hollis, 12. Zander du Plessis, 11. Luther Obi, 10. Theo Boshoff, 9. Reegan Oranje, 8. Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7. Siba Qoma, 6. Niel Otto, 5. Derik Pretorius, 4. Mzwanele Zito, 3. Janu Botha, 2. Alandre van Rooyen, 1. Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16. Janco Uys, 17. Kudzwai Dube, 18. Justin Forwood, 19. Johan Retief, 20. Michael Amiras, 21. Hanru Sirgel, 22. Johan Mulder, 23. Sango Xamlashe.
Airlink Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Tapiwa Mafura, 13. Sebastian de Klerk, 12. Ali Mgijima, 11. Jade Stighling, 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. Eddie Fouche, 23. Alwayno Vidagie.