Pumas get some serious muscle back
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has made a number of significant changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round Four encounter with the Cheetahs.
Stonehouse made seven changes to the team that lost 20-41 to Griquas in Kimberley just more than a fortnight ago.
Powerful loose forward Willie Engelbrecht returns from a lengthy injury lay-off and will slot in at No.8.
Kwanda Dimaza drops from No.8 to the replacement bench.
Engelbrecht, who has been sidelined with a rib injury since last month, also reclaims the captaincy in what is a significant boost for the team.
Also back in the engine room is burly lock Shane Kirkwood, who takes over from Darrien Landsberg in the second row.
There are two other changes to the pack, both in the front row.
Eduan Swart comes in at hooker for Corné Fourie, who played in the No.2 jersey for the last two rounds – despite his preference for playing at prop.
Simon Raw starts at tighthead prop ahead of Ignatius Prinsloo, who drops down to the bench.
The most significant of the backline changes is at flyhalf, where Eddie Fouché starts in the No.10 jersey and Tinus de Beer drops down to the bench.
Sihle Njezuka starts on the right wing in place of Tapiwa Mafura, while Alwayno Visagie is at outside centre in place of Sebastian de Klerk.
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sihle Njezula, 13 Alwayno Visagie, 12 Aliqhayiya Mgijima, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Eddie Fouche, 9 Lucky Dlepu, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Simon Raw, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ruan Kramer.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Prinsloo, 19 Brandon Valentyn, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Anele Lungisa, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Sebastian de Klerk.
Date: Saturday, February 19
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Morne Ferreira
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Local
TMO: Egon Seconds
