Kleinhans to start for Pumas against Lions
Centre of the iCollege Pumas, Ryan Nell will captain the side ahead of the final round of the Currie Cup encounter against the Xerox Golden Lions tonight at Mbombela Stadium.
“We’ve had a hard and very good week of training. We know they are a good team but we believe in each other and our abilities as a team. It’s a privilege to lead the team this weekend. We are blessed with a strong core of leaders that all compliment each other on the field. We look forward to a good challenge and hope to make our supporters and coaches proud,” said Nell.
Director of rugby at the Pumas, Jimmy Stonehouse made three changes to his side who smashed the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein 42 points to 14.
Francois Kleinhans will get his first Currie Cup start for the Pumas this season after playing from the bench for the side against the Vodacom Blue Bulls and Cheetahs.
Lock Cameron Lindsay will start in the number five jersey with Hugo Kloppers who was not considered for tonight’s game and Marné Coetzee will replace Andrew Beerwinkel in the starting 15 who moves to the bench.
The only change to the bench will see Jeandré Rudolf who is back for the team after missing the Pumas’ last two matches.
Stonehouse said naming Nell captain was an easy decision.
“When you watch Ryan’s effort every time he comes to the field, you can see all the positive things he’s done for the team. Rugby-wise yes. Off the field, absolutely. Players can check all those boxes, that’s what makes it very easy for a coach to name someone like Ryan captain.”
