The Airlink Pumas will host the Windhoek Draught Griquas on Friday at 16h00 in Nelspruit. Any win for the Kimberley outfit will consolidate third place, while the Lowvelders must win with a bonus point to secure the fourth play-off spot or hope things go against the Cell C Sharks in Stellenbosch.
The Airlink Pumas will be hoping to build on their momentum of last week when they pipped the Toyota Cheetahs by a point in Bloemfontein while the visitors will want to make sure of a win and not leave as late as they did against DHL Western Province a week ago when they clinched the match after time was already up.
These two have won two each during their five previous clashes, with the other game ending in a stalemate, however, the Peacock Blues won their last meeting comfortably by 41-20 in Kimberley.
Expect a physical Pumas who will spread the ball wide as and when the opportunity presents itself. The Pumas set pieces could be used by the hosts as a springboard for their onslaught on the visitors' territory. The Griquas will is expected to kick more for territory and only play in the Pumas' half. The Pumas' outside backs can also expect an aerial war with mistakes punished to the maximum.
Airlink Pumas head coach, Jimmy Stonehouse has named an unchanged team.
Windhoek Draught Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh named an almost unchanged side. A new halfback pairing is the only change made.
Head coach Pieter Bergh said "It is a massive game for both teams and we really want to win to finish 3rd on the log. Pumas vs. Griquas are always closely contested matches and we know that the Pumas will want to make sure they get their 1st ever semi-final. It will be a massive challenge in Nelspruit but we are looking forward to build on our performances of the last couple of weeks.
Zander du Plessis misses this game with a concussion, but luckily we have George Whitehead coming in who played really well against WP last week. George and Stefan Ungerer played a big part in getting Griquas to the play-offs last season and hopefully, their experience will be valuable for us on Friday."
Teams:
Airlink Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Tapiwa Mafura, 13. Sebastian de Klerk, 12. Eddie Fouche, 11. Jade Stighling, 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Chriswill September, 8. Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7. Phumzile Maqondwana, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Shane Kirkwood, 4. Deon Slabbert, 3. IG Prinsloo, 2. Eduan Swart, 1. Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16. Llewellyn Classen, 17. Dewald Maritz, 18. Simon Raw, 19. Kwanda Dimaza, 20. Andre Fouche, 21. Giovan Snyman, 22. Ali Mgijima, 23. Diego Apollis.
Windhoek Draught Griquas: 15. Ashlon Davids, 14. Munier Hartzenberg, 13. Sango Xamlashe, 12. Rynardt Jonker, 11. Luther Obi, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Sibabalo Qoma, 7. Hanru Sirgel, 6. Niel Otto (c), 5. Derik Pretorius, 4. Johan Retief, 3. Janu Botha, 2. Simon Westraadt, 1. Kudzwai Dube. Replacements: 16.Janco Uys, 17. Edward Davids, 18. Andries Schutte, 19. Cameron Lindsay, 20. Werner Gouws, 21. Johan Mulder, 22. Fiela Boshoff, 23. Christopher Hollis, 24. Gustav du Rand, 25. Luyolo Dapula, 26. Reagan Oranje.
