The Pumas is hosting the Vodacom Bulls in the opening match of the 2022 Currie Cup in Nelspruit tonight at 19h00 in what could prove to be an expensive exercise for the Bulls if one or two of their URC players sustain serious injuries.
Expect a very physical battle initially with the Pumas targeting the "suspect" scrum of the Bulls early on. Expect some players to take out their handbags in their efforts to dominate. The Bulls are expected to play a more expansive game with their exciting loose-trio creating opportunities with quick turnovers for their backs. Whatever the final score the Vodacom Bulls will know they were in a physical battle that was fought up to the final whistle.
Pumas head coach, Jimmy Stonehouse always target his home games for a win. The loss of Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Morgan Naude, Matt More and Ginter Smuts to the Lions will still be fresh in his mind and he will be looking for that upset.
The Pumas included six players that will make their debut in their squad for the day. Tinus de Beer (#10), Robbi Petzer (#12) and Lundi Masenge (#11) is part of the starting line-up while Malembe Mpofu (#19), Simon Raw (#18) and Lucky Dlepu (21#) will have to wait for an opportunity from the bench.
Vodacom Bulls’ Carling Currie Cup head coach, Gert Smal, has selected a strong starting XV and an exciting group of replacements on the bench.
“We have put in some good, hard work over the past few weeks in preparation for the Carling Currie Cup, which promises to be a tough competition yet again this season. We are looking forward to seeing all of that work come together this weekend,” said Smal.
“The Pumas, particularly on their own turf in Mbombela, have always proven to be tough opposition. We have no doubts that our match on Friday will be another hard-fought battle to kick-off the tournament.”
Weather: 21° Celsius with little or no wind and light drizzle expected.
Prediction: The Vodacom Bulls with 10.
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Sebastain de Klerk, 12 Robbie Petzer, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Thinus de Beer, 9 Giovan Snyman, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Shane Kirkwood, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Ruan Kramer, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Lucky Dlepu, 22 Eddie Fouche, 23 Alwayno Visagie.
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 David Kriel, 12 Cornal Hendricks (captain), 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Stedman Gans.