Steval Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has named a strong lineup for his side’s return to the Currie Cup Premier Division. The Pumas won the right to play in the top tier of the competition by beating Griquas in a promotion series last year and will face the Cheetahs in their opener on Saturday.
Veteran open-sider Corne Steenkamp leads an experienced pack that looks tough as teak, despite a lack of household names. Number 8 Renaldo Botha, who is a capped Namibian international, played some rugby for the Sharks as an under 19, while left wing and star try-scorer Rosco Speckman is perhaps more familiar to Sharks fans. Also look out for Jerome “Trompie” Pretorius, a former Sharks Vodacom Cup stalwart who will play off the bench this week.
Steval Pumas: 15 JW Bell, 14 Ruwellyn Isbell, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Rosco Speckman, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Reynier van Rooyen, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Jaco Bouwer, 6 Corné Steenkamp (captain), 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Frikkie Spies, 3 Dejay Terblanche, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Vincent Koch.
Replacments: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 19 Uzair Cassiem, 20 Sinoyuvo Nyoka, 21 JC Roos, 22 Jerome Pretorius.
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Is Faf no longer a Puma?
@Bokhoring (Comment 1) : Injured
Still a little sad that we lost Rosco Speckman
Go Pumas, go Jimmy.
Definitely my second team…you just absolutely have to respect what Jimmy has been able to create at the Pumas.
Major respect.
Wish there was a spot for the Leopards too, as they came within 1 point of making it through to the Premier division….solid work being done there by Rob du Preez and James Smal.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 5) : ja must say I really rate Stonehouse as a coach. To be honest I did not agree when the Pumas was relegated as I still believe they deserve to play in the Premier division and I’m glad that they got promoted last year.
Must say lots of talk about the Cheetahs being the Sharks bogey side but I think in the Pumas the Cheetahs have their very own bogey side. Think some Cheetahs supporters were very sad when the Pumas got promoted last year.