Pumas and Griquas announce their teams for Super Rugby Unlocked clash
The Pumas will have a new captain for this must-win match
The Phakisa Pumas will have a new captain on Saturday. Pieter Jansen van Vuren joined the team at the beginning of this year. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the postponement of the rugby season, he has had to wait 10 months to make his debut for the Pumas.
The lock’s first match for the Pumas will be against his former team, the Tafel Lager Griquas in Kimberley. He played 33 matches for the peacock blues from 2017 to 2019.
The second round of the Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked clash between the Tafel Lager Griquas and the Phakisa Pumas at Tafel Lager Park is a must-win for both teams.
Griquas lost to the Vodacom Bulls and the Pumas to the Cheetahs on Saturday. A second defeat in two matches would put either team out of the running for the Unlocked title and make achieving a Currie Cup semi-final spot difficult.
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Griquas put up a valiant effort at Loftus Versfeld, losing 30-23 and bagging a bonus point. The youthful Pumas were defeated 53-31 in Bloemfontein.
They faced a 41-3 deficit at half-time after 40 minutes of inconsistent defence, poor decision making and ill-executed set pieces. The visitors improved in the second half, outscoring their hosts 26-12 and took one bonus point from the match.
Pumas’ captain, Ryan Nell, was injured early in Saturday’s match and left the field. His injury is serious and he will not be in action this season again.
Le Roux Roets also has a knee injury and will be in the operating theatre today. He will be out for at least six weeks.
Marné Coetzee broke an arm in the warm-up game versus the Lions and will not play for at least another six weeks.
The team have lost three experienced players and strong leaders and their second competitive match has yet to kick-off.
Director of rugby, Jimmy Stonehouse, has confidence in the young Phakisa Pumas squad.
“It’s a tough competition and we have a young team playing against sides that boast Springbok, Super Rugby and Pro-14 players. We want to prove to ourselves what we can do. Myself and the coaching staff believe in these players. “On Saturday, we will measure ourselves against Griquas. We are confident that we can beat the experienced team,” Stonehouse said yesterday.
Griquas coach, Scott Mathie, believes that the Pumas’ off day against the Cheetahs and his team’s loss to the Bulls will mean nothing come Saturday.
“The way we approach every game means that each one is a must-win for us. The performances from both sides last week really have no bearing on match day. It’s about being fully prepared and ready on the day. That’s all we are focusing on, being the most competitive version of ourselves each game,” Mathie told Lowvelder on Tuesday.
“Both teams are looking to bounce back from losses, which makes this game an exciting affair. It’s all about going through our processes during the week and making sure, come Saturday, we are fully prepared.”
The encounter at Tafel Lager Park is a mini-knockout match. The winner will continue the battle against the bigger union’s franchise teams to be the first winner of the Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked trophy. The loser will be out of contention.
Kick-off is at 16:30.
