Pumas face test of character

The Kimberley side are planning to hit the Pumas like a freight train.

Not only will the game be played at Griquas’ hallowed GWK Park, arguably the most-feared away ground in South African rugby, but the Griquas showed their true colours by defeating the Cell C Sharks in Durban last weekend. 

The fact that they have their backs against the wall, after four defeats in five matches make them even more dangerous. They cannot afford another loss.

Jimmy Stonehouse’s charges might be in second place on the log after four wins in five matches, but if they underestimate the Kimberley boys they could be in for a big surprise. 

The Pumas coach knows how vital this match is. “This is our most important game of the season. If we clear this one we will be virtually assured of avoiding promotion-relegation matches. 

The Griquas will put everything into this game to get the log point to avoid the relegation zone. It’s do or die for them,” said Stonehouse on Wednesday.

With a kick-off temperature of about 29°C, it will be a matter of survival of the fittest. Eighty minutes of bone-crunching and bloodletting in Kimberley is about as tough as Currie Cup rugby can get.

Griquas coach Hawies Fourie said that much hinges on which team win the scrum battle and are full of confidence.

“The Pumas have a powerful pack of forwards and a very good scrum. Our scrum did well against a Sharks pack that dominated us in the first game of the season. Kobus Calldo, our scrum coach, has done a very good job (this week) and our forwards will be up for the challenge on Saturday,” he said on Tuesday.

He also emphasised that the team have improved greatly since the defeat to the Pumas in Nelspruit three weeks ago. “We will definitely be focused this coming weekend. 

“The win against the Sharks was a huge boost for the team’s moral. One good win makes a big difference. We are looking forward to host the Pumas in Kimberley,” he stated.

The wily Griquas coach was also adamant that the Pumas defence will be tested to the limit by the Griquas attack. More than that he would not divulge.

The only forced change to the Steval Pumas is at scrum half. Dylon Frylinck is still battling with a knee injury and Reynier van Rooyen will start. 
Coenie van Wyk will wear the number 15 jersey, while JW Bell will warm the bench.

If the Pumas keep their feet on the ground and stick to what they have been doing well this Currie Cup then they should have too much muscle and firepower for the Griquas. 

They will attack and run the ball wide. With the home team dishing out what they receive, the team that make their tackles and maintain defensive lines will win this war. 

Kick-off is at 15:00.

GWK Griquas
1. Steph Roberts, 2. Martin Bezuidenhout, 3. Ewald van der Westhuizen, 4. Hilton Lobberts, 5. Jaco Nepgen, 6. Marnus Schoeman, 7. Carel Greef, 8. Ruaan Lerm, 9. Tian Meyer, 10. Francois Brummer, 11. PJ Vermeulen, 12. Doppies La Grange, 13. Johnathan Francke, 14. Ederies Arendse, 15. Gouws Prinsloo. 
16. Ryno Barnes,  17. Maks van Dyk,  18. Hugo Kloppers, 19. Burger Schoeman, 20. RJ Liebenberg, 21. Abrie Griesel and 22. Dean Grant.

Steval Pumas
1. Corné Fourie, 2. Francois du Toit, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Frikkie Spies, 5. Lubabalo Mtyanda, 6. Corné Steenkamp (C), 7. Uzair Cassiem, 8. Renaldo Bothma, 9. Reynier van Rooyen, 10. Justin van Staden, 11. Rosko Specman, 12. Stefan Watermeyer, 13. JW Jonker,  14. Jerome Pretorius, 15. Coenie van Wyk, 
16. Frankie Herne, 17. DeJay Terblanche, 18. Marius Coetzer, 19. Jaco Bouwer, 20. Sinovuyo Nyoka, 21. JC Roos and 22. JW Bell.