Pumas’ injuries raise concern
"This weekend's loss of 27-23 in our warm-up match against the Xerox Lions did not mean anything to us.
It did, however, give us a good idea of who will be in the starting line-up for our first Vodacom Cup match next week against the Falcons in Kempton Park.
We are, however, concerned about the series’ challenges ahead especially with the quota limits set on the starting 15, as we picked up several injuries this weekend.”
These were the words of confident, yet worried Steval Pumas coach, Jimmy Stonehouse.
According to this year’s Vodacom Cup series’ requirements, seven players of colour has to be included in the team, with five in the starting squad. “We do have enough players to meet the requirements, but our current injury list is a bit of a concern.
Sabelo Nhlapo (prop) and Deon Scholtz (wing) injured their knees, Ashwin Scott (utility back) has a shoulder injury while Marcello Sampson (wing) is still busy with his final rehabilitation programme after a shoulder operation earlier this year.
Our star sevens player Rosko Specman underwent an ankle operation earlier this week.
He will be ready for the Currie Cup season though. But we are confident that all the players will take care of their niggles and come back even stronger,” Stonehouse continued.
Other players on the injury list are Rudi Mathee (broken arm), Johan Herbst (broken hand) Jaco Bouwer (back spasm) and Frank Herne who is
recovering from torn ankle ligaments.
In the meantime, three club players of Middelburg and Witbank, all former Puma u/21s, have been called up for duty in the squad.
Saturday’s fixture at Ellispark against the Lions started off with
a bang as they scored 14 points in the first 10 minutes of the game which
unsettled the Lowvelders. But the Pumas fought back to secure a 20-14 lead at the break.
Stonehouse mentioned that the team’s inappropriate decisions at
critical times to score points was unsettling, yet they saw a lot of positive
points in the match.
“Negative points will always be part of any game, but what was great to see on Saturday was our scrumming, the tempo we are able to play at
and our defensive lines,” Stonehouse said.
He also explained that he wanted to give most of his players game time early in the season and the changes at the break interrupted the team’s rhythm.
Players who stood out to the coaching staff with their performance was Uzair Cassiem, Vincent Koch, JC Roos and Jerome Pretorius.
“It is clear that there is competition among the players for the starting line-up. This will settle as soon as we kick off the season.
We have to perform well from the first game to secure a top spot on the log. That’s why it’s important for us to pick the strongest team,” Stonehouse concluded.
Next week is the last week for the team to regroup with the first home encounter on March 15 against the Blue Bulls.
Rugby fans can also look forward to a breakfast with the Saru Coach of the Year, Jimmy Stonehouse and his Steval Pumas team on the morning of the game. Tickets for this event will be made available soon.
