Pumas will test Griquas’ speed and power

Dave Alexander|Published 3 years ago

Jeandré Rudolph of the Pumas during their Super Rugby Unlocked match against Tafel Lager Griquas in October. Picture: Louis Botha, Griquas Rugby Union, Gallo Images

AFTER their recent emphatic 43-0 victory over the EP Elephants in the Windy City last week, a more settled, more confident Tafel Lager Griqua team are at home for their last fixture of the Preparation Series when they host the New Nation Pumas at Tafel Lager Park on Saturday, in a match that kicks off at 3pm.

Coming off their great win against the Elephants, hopefully Griquas have put their first two losses to the Sharks (31-10) and the Stormers (38-32) behind them and use the momentum from 12 days ago to boost them in Saturday’s game.

Speaking to the DFA on Thursday, Griqua coach Scott Mathie said the hosts were expecting a competitive encounter. “It is obviously going to be a cracker this weekend with both teams, each coming off a win, which bodes well for an exciting match and a highly competitive match here in Kimberley,” the coach said.

James Verity-Amm of Griquas will be working to unlock the Pumas defence. Picture: Louis Botha, Griquas Rugby Union, Gallo Images

The Kimberely team is no doubt keen to turn the tables on the Pumas who beat them 22-17 in their Carling Currie Cup match in December in Nelspruit, and Mathie said that they were expecting a physical encounter.

“We are looking forward to it, although we had a few players injured on the Wednesday game, so we have had to adjust the squad slightly but nothing that the players stepping up can’t handle,” Mathie said.

“We expect the Pumas to be physical and abrasive as usual and that is one aspect of the game where we will make sure to bring our end to that aspect of the game too.”

The Griqua coach said that he was expecting the match to be played at a high pace, but the hosts were ready. “It will be a high tempo affair too and we are looking forward to it,” he concluded.

Griquas (15-1): Masixole Banda, Daniel Kasende, Michal Haznar, André Swarts, James Verity-Amm, Tinus de Beer, Stefan Ungerer (c), Carl Els, Stefan Willemse, Gideon van Merwe, Cameron Lindsay, Adre Smith, Andries Schutte (Debut), Alandré van Rooyen, Mox Mxoli. Bench (16 -26): HJ Luus, Andrew Beerwinkel, Tijde Visser Ewan Coetzee, Sibabalo Qoma, Ashlon Davids, Jonathan Franke, Enver Brandt, Bandisa Ndlovu, Tiaan van der Merwe, Reagan Oranje.