Pumas sing together, and win together
"Former Steval Pumas prop, Ashley Buys, started this tradition two years ago and since then players and management have sung it during practices and before and after games."
MBOMBELA – There is one song that stands out above the rest when the Steval Pumas play at Mbombela Stadium.
It is a song of inspiration, passion and love for the game of rugby. In short it defines the Steval Pumas’ beautiful team spirit.
“Sponono” is the Steval Pumas’ team song and has recently been gaining a lot of attention as it blares from the loudspeakers at Mbombela. According to Steval Pumas head coach, Jimmy Stonehouse, the song originated in 2012 during a practice session.
“Former Steval Pumas prop, Ashley Buys, started this tradition two years ago and since then players and management have sung it during practices and before and after games.”
The main leader of the song in the Steval Pumas camp is lock Giant Mtyanda who gets the boys going, according to Stonehouse.
“The original song’s words centered around a guy who sang to his beautiful girlfriend instructing her to dance.” Stonehouse also mentions that there are a number of other songs the team also sing for motivational and team-building purposes, but that “Sponono” is their favoured anthem.
“I also sing the song with the players and it builds great team spirit,” Stonehouse said.
On September 26 schools also have the chance to win
R1 000 for best attendance at the match and singing “Sponono” the loudest.
The choir of Lowveld High will assist Steval Pumas mascot, Pumaki to hype up the crowd.
The choir will sing the words to the song at the stadium before and during the match.
