Steval Pumas announce strengthened squad for Sharks clash
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Loading...The Steval Pumas have made a number of changes for their first Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the Cell C Sharks in Mbombela on Friday, with the most notable being the return of Super Rugby flyhalf Francois Brummer.
Brummer returns from duty with the Vodacom Bulls, replacing Marlou van Niekerk, starting flyhalf for the Pumas 60-17 away win against the Griffons last Saturday. Van Niekerk moves to inside centre to partner number 13 Hennie Skorbinski, who has returned from injury to replace the benched Deon Helberg.
Speedster Marcello Sampson is back on the right wing after recovering from concussion, replacing Tyler Fisher, who drops out of the matchday 22.
The forward pack has also been shuffled, with Frankie Herne (hooker) De Jay Terblanche (tighthead prop) Stephan Greeff and Brian Shabangu (left flank) all on the starting list. Returning utility forward Marnus Schoeman, who was the Steval Pumas’ top try scorer in the 2015 Currie Cup with seven tries, is expected to provide some impact coming off the bench.
Mentz said that the changes will give the forward pack some extra mobility against an attacking Cell C Sharks team.
“With the new coaching team led by Robert du Preez, we’re expecting a change of game plan and a more expansive style of play. They also have a lot of Super Rugby experience, but we’ve prepared well, had some good training sessions and have a pretty settled team who are up for the challenge,” said Mentz.
The Cell C Sharks go into the game with names such as Dale Chadwick, Franco Marais, Michael Claasens, Odwa Ndungane and captain Keegan Daniel likely to attract attention. Former Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralapelle will be on the bench for the visitors.
Friday’s match kicks off at Mbombela Stadium at 19:20.
Team Steval Pumas:
1. Khwezi Mona
2. Frankie Herne
3. De Jay Terblanche
4. Stephan Greeff
5. Hugo Kloppers
6. Brian Shabangu
7. Lambert Groenewald
8. Carel Greeff
9. Reynier van Rooyen
10. Francois Brummer
11. JP Lewis
12. Marlou van Niekerk
13. Hennie Skorbinski
14. Marcello Sampson
15. Justin van Staden
16. Francois du Toit
17. Jacques Kotze
18. Wiehan Hay
19. Marnus Schoeman
20. Emile Temperman
21. Deon Helberg
22. Devon Williams
Team Cell C Sharks:
15 Full back Ndungane Odwa
14 Right wing Maritz Neil
13 Right centre Am Lukhanyo
12 Left centre Esterhuizen Andre
11 Left wing Sithole Sibusiso
10 Fly half Bosch Curwin
9 Scrum half Claassens Michael
8 Number eight van der Walt Philip
7 Right flanker du Preez Jean-Luc
6 Left flanker Daniel Keegan ( C )
5 Right lock Lewies Stephan
4 Left lock Oosthuizen Etienne
3 Tight head prop Adriaanse Lourens
2 Hooker Marais Franco
1 Loose head prop Chadwick Dale
Replacements
16 Hooker Ralepelle Chiliboy
17 Prop du Toit Thomas
18 Lock Botha Ruan
19 Utility Forward Mtembu Lubabalo
20 Scrumhalf Ungerer Stefan
21 Utility back Radebe Inny
22 Utility back Williams Heimar
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