Photo Credit: Lions Rugby
The Phakisa Pumas and Xerox Lions will kick off the action in Nelspruit at 14h00 on Saturday in a match the Xerox Lions will be determined to win to remain in the top four.
The Xerox Lions have been on a high in the Carling Currie Cup, winning all four of their matches so far, and with the semi-finals insight, they will be determined to keep that track record intact in Nelspruit.
This clash will mark the first time the sides meet this season after their Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked match was cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols, however, they will be wary of the Lowvelders who tested some of the top teams at stages this season.
The Phakisa Pumas have only defeated the Xerox Lions once in the Carling Currie Cup since 2011, however, they went down to the Johannesburgers’ by only one point last season, which is sure to inspire them going into Saturday’s game.
Phakisa Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse made seven changes to his matchday squad.
Two of the changes in the starting XV were amongst the backs, where Ali Mgijima replaces Wayne van der Bank at inside centre, and Ginter Smuts takes over from Chriswill September in a rotational switch at scrumhalf, which sees the latter being named among the replacements.
Two of the changes in the starting XV were amongst the backs, where Ali Mgijima replaces Wayne van der Bank at inside centre, and Ginter Smuts takes over from Chriswill September in a rotational switch at scrumhalf, which sees the latter being named among the replacements.
The only change in the forward pack was in the second row, where Darrien Landsberg replaces the injured Le Roux Roets.
On the bench, Eduan Swart (prop) – a former Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 player – is in line to make his debut for the Phakisa Pumas if he takes the field after being named in place of Wikus Groenewald.
The other changes see Francois Kleinhans (flank) come in for Ewart Potgieter and Alwayno Visagie (centre) taking over from Morne Joubert (wing) alongside September.
Experienced prop Wiehahn Herbst will make his Carling Currie Cup debut for the Xerox Lions in one of two changes to the Xerox Lions team.
He gave up a potential opportunity to play Test rugby for Ireland after racking up over 80 appearances for Ulster from 2014 to 2019, to return to South Africa when he joined the Pretoria side.
Herbst takes over from another veteran, Jannie du Plessis, in the front row. The other change to coach Ivan van Rooyen’s starting team for the clash that will be broadcast live on SuperSport at 14h00, was at flank where Vincent Tshituka comes in for Wilhelm van der Sluys, who has been named among the replacements.
There were a few changes on the bench, with former Junior Springbok Carlü Sadie filling the void left by Herbst’s promotion to the starting team, while another former SA U20 player, Manuel Rass (centre) takes over from Burger Odendaal, while Marnus Schoeman (flanker) was named in favour of an extra back in Jamba Ulengo (winger).
Teams:
Phakisa Pumas: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Devon Williams, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4 Darrien Landsberg, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16 AJ le Roux, 17 Eduan Swart, 18 Brandon Valentyn, 19 Francois Kleinhans, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Tiaan Botes, 22 Alwayno Visagie, 23 Wayne van der Bank.
Xerox Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 André Warner, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Manuel Rass, 23 Marnus Schoeman.