Stonehouse 'rotates' the Pumas
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse made a handful of changes to his team, ahead of the Currie Cup Round Four encounter with the Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs will travel from Bloemfontein to Nelspruit to Friday’s outing.
There is only one change to the pack – Phumzile Maqondwana starting on the flank in place of Darrien Landsberg – who drops down to the replacement bench.
The most significant change is at flyhalf, where Devon Williams – who played off the bench in last week’s loss to Western Province at Newlands – takes over for Tiaan Botes in the No.10 jersey, with Botes playing off the bench this week.
Luther Obi moves from the right wing to the left wing, in place of Ruwellyn Isbell – who drops out of the matchday 23.
Etienne Taljaard comes in on the right wing.
Stonehouse is hopeful that his side, ravaged by injuries, including their top three flyhalves who are unavailable, could still make the top five in the Currie Cup competition.
“Home games are different for us, and with the heat here, who knows?”
Pumas: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Etienne Taljaard, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Devon Williams, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartins, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuuren (captain), 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Morgan Naude.
Replacements: 16 Abraham le Roux, 17 Dewalt Maritz, 18 Wikus Groenewald, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Ewart Potgieter, 21 Ginter Smuts, 22 Tiaan Botes, 23 Wayne van der Bank.
Date: Friday, December 18
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron and Morne Ferreira
TMO: Lesego Legoete
