The Steval Pumas are back for business
A well-deserved three-week rest for the Steval Pumas - our 2013 Absa Currie Cup First Division champions - has come to an end this week as they commenced with their 2014 preseason training yesterday.
“I can’t believe that it’s been a year since our first preseason here in the Lowveld.
The players have adapted to the weather conditions quite well and have settled in nicely. We can only go from strength to strength now,” coach Jimmy Stonehouse commented at the stadium.
Although the first day started at a medium pace in fairly cool conditions, Stonehouse guaranteed it would pick up during the week and gain momentum over the next four weeks. “We realise that the next couple of weeks will be crucial as fitness, strength and skill has to up by 100% from last season. If we don’t want to be the punchbags of 2014, we need to step it up, and I believe the players are up to the task. They seem motivated and eager for the challenge ahead,” he continued.
Like any season, some did not make the cut and had to leave the 2013 Pumas squad, but new members had joined to strengthen the team. This week Snake Nyoka, Oupa Herbst, Hennie Strobinski, Marcello Sampson, Sabelo Nhlapo and Brian Shabangu had their first taste of life in Puma world.
Nyoka and Herbst will fight it out against Reynier van Rooyen and Faf de Klerk to secure the number-nine jersey for the season. Strobinski has his eye on the midfield and speedster Sampson hopes to secure the wing position in the starting 15. The only two forwards, Shabangu – a busy little flanker – will give great support to the already superstar-packed loose-forward combinations available in the squad. The other, Nhlapo, a youngster from Boland, has his eyes set on the number-one jersey, but his competition will be tough as Vincent Koch and Corné Fourie have shown they are a tag team of note.
A warm welcome to all the new players and the best of luck to the Steval Pumas for the coming season.
Due to the success of 2013, the team would like to give back a bit of their time too. This Saturday the whole group will have meet-and-greet sessions at both I’langa and Riverside malls. They will be at I’langa from 10:30 till 11:30 and Riverside from 12:00 till 13:00.
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