Western Province and Pumas announce teams for Newlands clash

The youngest player on the field will be 18-year-old debutant, Francois Botes

December 10, 2020

2 minutes read

Pieter Janse van Vuren, in action against the Sharks earlier in the season, will return as captain of the Phakisa Pumas after an injury layoff. Photo: Stefan de Villiers.

The Phakisa Pumas face a tough away match against DHL Western Province at DHL Newlands tomorrow at 19:00.

With just two wins from eight games, the Pumas are sixth on the Carling Currie Cup log with 11 points. The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals. The Toyota Cheetahs are fifth on 17 points and the Xerox Golden Lions fourth on 20.

It is mathematically possible for the Pumas to climb to fourth place, but it would mean they need to win their remaining four matches with bonus points and hope other results go their way.

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It is an extremely unlikely scenario and the Mpumalanga team will be playing for pride for the remainder of the Currie Cup campaign.

Eighteen-year-old Tiaan Botes will make his debut for the Phakisa Pumas at fly half. Last year this time he had just completed his matric exams at Hoërskool Helpmekaar.

Devon Williams, who wore the number-10 jersey in the past two matches and was man of the match against the Griquas, moves to the bench.

Lock, Pieter Janse van Vuren, is fully fit and returns to team as captain. Darrien Landsberg remains in the starting XV, but moves to blindside flank. This gives the Pumas an extra jumping option in the lineouts.

Dewald Maritz picked up an injury last week and Hoërskool Nelspruit alumus, Morgan Naudé will start at loose-head prop.

Ginter Smuts in on the bench and Chriswell September wears the number-nine jersey.

Veteran, Ruwellyn Isbell starts on the left wing.

There are seven changes to the DHL Western Province team.

Three of them are injury-enforced and the other four are rotational. Injuries to Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel and Juarno Augustus see Tristan Leyds, Michal Haznar and Jaco Coetzee make their first starts in the blue and white hoops of DHL Western Province this season.

Leyds is on the wing, while Haznar will link up in midfield with Rikus Pretorius who is back in the starting line-up.

Paul de Wet starts at scrum half in the other change to the backline.

In the forward pack Coetzee is at number eight, while the other two changes see lock, David Meihuizen and hooker, Scarra Ntubeni come into the starting XV.