The two teams with the best defence stats in the 2022 carling Currie Cup face-off in the second semi-final at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday at 13:30.

It is the Pumas second semi-final in their 53-year history and their first since 1980.

The Toyota Cheetahs have conceded the fewest tries in the 2022 season, 30, while the Airlink Pumas have the second best stat, conceding 32 tries in their 12 matches.

The Cheetahs have a far better offensive statistic, scoring 54 tries. Only the Vodacom Blue Bulls, with 56, have scored more tries in 2022.

The Pumas have scored 43 tries.

“We want to be disciplined tomorrow and the team will be focused on that. We are all excited.  You don’t always get the opportunity to play in a Currie Cup semi-final. It is a big game for both teams. I’m sure it will be a great game,” said Cheetahs captain, Ruan Pienaar.

“We have a lot of players getting their first experience of Currie Cup semi-final and I think we just want to stick to our DNA and the way we play. Just do everything 5% or 10% better than what we’ve done throughout the season.  Hopefully, it will be enough to take us through to next week. I think both teams are excited to be part of the semi-final.  It’s a special day to be part of.

“The Currie Cup is a prestigious tournament. We take it really seriously so hopefully, we can make the supporters proud and the staff who’s put in a big shift to make this happen,” Pienaar concluded.

Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse said that the spirits are high in the camp, having made the semi-finals.

The Cheetahs won the match against the Pumas 28-17 at Mbombela Stadium on February 19.

In the return game at Toyota Stadium on June 3 the Pumas won 29-28.

Pumas captain, Willie Engelbrecht said, “We played outstanding rugby (against the Griquas last Friday), but unfortunately only for 50 minutes. This will not be enough if we want to beat the Cheetahs in front of their home crowd. Each player, including me, will need to do soul-searching and make the right decisions to remain within the rules of the game.

“Our previous win against the Cheetahs did give us some confidence, but a semi-final is a different ball game. We need to be ready both physically and mentally”.

Toyota Cheetahs

1 Cameron Dawson
2 Louis van der Westhuizen
3 Aranos Coetzee
4 Rynier Bernardo
5 Victor Sekekete
6 Gideon van Merwe
7 Aidon Davis
8 Jeandré Rudolph
9 Ruan Pienaar (c)
10 Siya Masuku
11 Rosko Specman
12 Chris Smit
13 David Brits
14 Daniel Kasende
15 Clayton Blommetjies
16 Marnus van der Merwe
17 Alulutho Tshakweni
18 Marné Coetzee
19 Ockie Barnard
20 Andisa Ntsila
21 Rewan Kruger
22 Reinhardt Fortuin
23 Robert Ebersohn

Airlink Pumas

1 Corné Fourie
2 Eduan Swart
3 Ig Prinsloo
4 Deon Slabbert
5 Shane Kirkwood
6 Daniel Maartens
7 Willie Engelbrecht (c)
8 Andre Fouché
9 Chriswill September
10 Tinus de Beer
11 Jade Stighling
12 Eddie Fouché
13 Sebastian de Klerk
14 Tapiwa Mafura
15 Devon Williams
16 Llewellyn Classen
17 Dewald Maritz
18 Simon Raw
19 Kwanda Dimaza
20 Francois Kleinhans
21 Giovan Snyman
22 Ali Mgijima
23 Alwayno  Visagie

Referee: Morné Ferreira.