Pumas get some pivotal power back
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has recalled a couple of key players for his team’s trip to Pretoria and a Round 12 Currie Cup encounter with the Bulls.
Wing Sebastian de Klerk and flyhalf Tinus de Beer missed the 17-23 loss to Western Province in a Round 11 clash in Nelspruit a fortnight ago due to illness.
The most pivotal change is at flyhalf, where De Beer returns and Eddie Fouche moves to inside centre – giving the Nelspruit team a powerful axis.
Aliqhayiya Mgijima, who started at No.12 against WP, drops down to the replacement bench.
De Klerk returns on the right wing in place of Tapiwa Mafura.
The final backline change sees Tapiwa Mafura move to the left wing in place of Etienne Taljaard.
The pack also shows a couple of changes – Phumzile Maqondwana starting at blindside flank in place of Anele Lungisa and Deon Slabbert replacing Darrien Landsberg at lock.
Francois Kleinhans returns after a lengthy lay-off in the wake of his knee surgery and will provide loose forward cover off the bench.
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Alwayno Visagie, 12 Eddie Fouche, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Francois Kleinhans, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Aliqhayiya Mgijima, 23 Jade Stighling.
Date: Friday, May 27
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Paul Mente, Local appointment
TMO: Quinton Immelman
