Pumas are still on track

Following the unexpected resignation of the Steval Pumas head coach, Jimmy Stonehouse, this home team have announced that they are in no hurry to look for a replacement.

Stonehouse stepped down last week and was said to be joining Japan-based team, Toshiba.

“We are proud to announce that the board of directors of the Mpumalanga Rugby (Pty) Ltd has come to a decision to leave the coaching team as is for the duration of the 2015 Vodacom Cup.

All of them where instrumental in the squad’s success over the past three years, and why change a winning combination for the sake of change? We believe in their skill and confidence to continue the hard work that has been put into the team up to date, and therefore the Jimmy Stonehouse legacy will continue and be built upon,” said Pieter Burger, managing director of the Mpumalanga Rugby Pty Ltd.

The team consist of MJ Mentz (backline coach), Corné Steenkamp (conditioning and forward coach), Marius van Rensburg (team manager), Luzahn Louw (physiologist), Dr Kobus Hugo (team doctor) and Harry Wiltshire (biokineticist).

Burger added that no official head coach would be appointed as yet, but that Mentz will fulfil the role as the central communications organiser of the coaching team for the time being.

The board has been flooded with CVs from all over the country for the top job.

“This coaching team has done an amazing job over the past couple of years and we can’t see why they shouldn’t be given a chance to prove themselves yet again. It’s a young, motivated squad with the backing and respect of both the players and management. We look forward to the season ahead,” added Burger.

On February 14 the Pumas will travel to Pretoria where they’ll play the Blue Bulls in their first of two warm-up matches.

The weekend thereafter they will take on the Leopards in Potchefstroom. The official Vodacom Cup series kicks off on
March 6 when the Pumas take on the Down Touch Griffons in a home encounter.