The Carling Currie Cup Premier Division moves into the second half of the competition when the Sigma Lions and New Nation Pumas meet in Johannesburg @ 16h45 this afternoon in the first match of Round 8.
The Sigma Lions are in the last place on 14 points and the Pumas in fifth on 15 points on the 2021 Carling Currie Cup.
The New Nation Pumas had the best possible start to the competition when they smashed the Sigma Lions by 39-10 in Nelspruit, bagging five log points in the process and scoring five tries against the Sigma Lions.
The Sigma Lions never really recovered from that defeat and are in the last place on the log, but Ivan van Rooyen’s men will realise the importance of turning the ship around – and that it starts at Emirates Airline Park on Friday afternoon.
Sigma Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made two changes to the matchday 23.
Sibusiso Sangweni will get a starting berth due to an injury that forced Roelof Smit to leave the field early in last week’s Carling Currie Cup match against the Vodacom Bulls, while Morne van den Berg will bring energy from the bench.
Jimmy Stonehouse, head coach of the New Nation Pumas has made six changes to his starting lineup.
The three changes at the back see Devon Williams back as the full-back, while Sebastián de Klerk comes in for Jade Stighling who drops to the bench. Eddie Fouche returns to the flyhalf berth.
Upfront, Shane Kirkwood comes in at lock with Daniel Maartens and Kwezi Mafu the two new loosies.
Prediction: The Sigma Lions will be desperate to turn their season around, while the Pumas did more than their share to upset head coach Jimmy Stonehouse during their last few matches. The depth of the Pumas squad will be tested after they suffered several injuries during their loss against Western Province (23-37) in Round 7. The Lions should win this one if .........
Sigma Lions: 15. Wandisile Simelane, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Manuel Rass, 12. Dan Kriel, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Andre Warner, 8. Francke Horn (capt.), 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Sibusiso Sangweni, 5. FP Pelser, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. PJ Botha, 1. Ruan Dreyer. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. Reinhard Nothnagel,20. Ruhan Straeuli, 21. Morne van den Berg, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Stean Pienaar.
New Nation Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Sebastián de Klerk, 13. Erich Cronje, 12. Matt More, 11. Etienne Taljaard, 10. Eddie Fouche, 9. Ginter Smuts, 8. Willie Engelbrecht, 7. Kwezi Mafu, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Pieter Janse van Vuuren (C), 4. Shane Kirkwood, 3. IG Prinsloo, 2. Simon Westraadt, 1. Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16. Eduan Swart, 17. Ruan Kramer, 18. Etienne Janeke, 19. Kwanda Dimaza, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Chriswill September, 22. Ali Mgijima, 23. Jade Stighling.