Pumas and Sharks name teams for vital Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked clash
Pumas need 80 minutes of excellence to beat Sharks
The Phakisa Pumas face the Cell C Sharks at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday at 16:30.
It is a match both teams need to win to remain in contention for the Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked trophy.
The Pumas have improved vastly with each match this season. After a poor loss to the Toyota Cheetahs, they beat the Tafel Lager Griquas.
Last Friday, they were sensationally slick against the DHL Stromers. The Pumas controlled the pace of the match, their set pieces were strong and they attacked with freedom and defended with passion. With 19 minutes of the game left, they were 37-14 ahead.
The DHL Stormers ran in four tries to win 42-37.
The Mpumalanga boys should never have lost the game, but they did prove that they can match any team in the competition.
The Sharks had a poor performance against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday.
They did the basics poorly and their match plan lacked execution. It is unlikely that the Durban lads will play that standard of rugby again.
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This makes Saturday’s game at Mbombela a humdinger. A hurt Sharks team will face a confident Pumas side.
But both teams’ coaching staff and players know that the last results count for nothing now.
All that matters is the points on the scoreboard after 80 minutes on the Mbombela Stadium pitch.
Former UP-Tuks and Blue Bulls u/21 fly half, Theo Boshoff will make his debut, replacing the injured Eddie Fouche.
Fouche has a dislocated hip and a injured knee and will be out for at least six weeks.
Niel Marias, who replaced Fouche when he was hurt in a clean-out against the DHL Stormers last Friday, will warm the bench again.
Liam Hendricks replaces the injured Morgan Naudé and loose-head.
The Phakisa Pumas are fourth on the log with five points, while the Sharks are fifth with four.
With the Cheetahs having a bye and the Stormers playing the log-leading Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, the Pumas could move up to second place with a bonus-point win.
Kick-off is at 16:30. No spectators will be allowed in the stadium.
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Egon Seconds
TMO: Marius Jonker
