It's all change for high-flying Pumas
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse made 12 changes to his starting XV for the Currie Cup Round 12 encounter with the Bulls.
Following their 40-all draw with Western Province at Newlands this past Sunday, the raft of changes was to be expected ahead of an encounter with the table-topping Bulls.
The only players backing up from Sunday is captain Pieter van Vuuren at lock, flank Phumzile Maqondwana and wing Sebastian de Klerk.
One of the more interesting selections is that of University of Cape Town captain Neil Otto, a recent recruit from Western Province, who will start on the flank.
Otto, who featured for WP last year and also had a stint at the Sharks, was a stalwart for the Ikey Tigers in this year’s Varsity Cup.
Another noteworthy selection is Christo Bezuidenhout, son of former Springbok prop Christo Bezuidenhout, who was named on the bench.
Pumas: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Sebastián de Klerk, 13 Alwayno Visage, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Khwezi Mafu, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Niel Otto, 5 Pieter van Vuuren (captain), 4 Kwanda Dimaza, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Morgan Naude.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Christo Bezuidenhout, 19 Shane Kirkwood, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Eddie Fouche, 23 Matt More.
Date: Wednesday, August 18
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Assistant referees: Local appointments
TMO: Egon Seconds
