NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 25: Jade Stighling of the New Nation Pumas during the Carling Currie Cup match between New Nation Pumas and DHL Western Province at Mbombela Stadium on July 25, 2021 in Nelspruit, South Africa. (Photo by Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images)
Currie Cup Premier Division: Pumas 26-33 Bulls – As it happened
The Blue Bulls face a tricky away fixture when they travel east on the N4 to face the New Nation Pumas in Nelspruit on Wednesday afternoon,
NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 25: Jade Stighling of the New Nation Pumas during the Carling Currie Cup match between New Nation Pumas and DHL Western Province at Mbombela Stadium on July 25, 2021 in Nelspruit, South Africa. (Photo by Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images)
Pumas vs Bulls: Jake White’s men in blue head to Nelspruit hoping to consolidate top spot on the Currie Cup log while the hosts will be keen to cement their place in the top four.
Pumas vs Bulls: LIVE scores
Teams
Talented fullback, Sibongile Novuka, will earn his first start for the Bulls on Wednesday.
Novuka, who has come off the bench in two previous outings this season, is among a number of changes to a new-look backline which will include a midfield pairing of Cornal Hendricks and Stedman Gans, while Johan Goosen and Zak Burger will partner once again for the halfback combination.
Arno Botha will again lead the side as captain while spearheading a forwards pack that will see No8, Elrigh Louw, returning to the starting XV after being utilised from the bench against the Sharks at the weekend.
Hooker Schalk Erasmus, together with props Gerhard Steenekamp and Mornay Smith, will also start the match in the front row at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, said: “This is our penultimate match in the round robin stages, so it is important that we give it our best shot in the remaining matches to secure a spot in the playoffs.
“We had the opportunity to rotate the team in some positions at the weekend, and it paid off. We have done the same for this midweek game in order to give the players enough opportunity to make a contribution towards the team. We are looking forward to seeing what the likes of Novuka can offer from the start of the match after having shown his worth from the bench in previous encounters.
“The New Nation Pumas will be a tough competitor, especially at home in Nelspruit. They do not occupy third position on the log by accident – they have been strong competitors throughout this campaign.”
Teams:
Pumas
15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Sebastián de Klerk, 13 Alwayno Visage, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Khwezi Mafu, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Niel Otto, 5 Pieter van Vuuren (captain), 4 Kwanda Dimaza, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Morgan Naude
Substitutes: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Christo Bezuidenhout, 19 Shane Kirkwood, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Eddie Fouche, 23 Matt More
Bulls
15 Sibongile Novuka, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Muller Uys, 6 Arno Botha (Captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Schalk Erasmus, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Substitutes: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Mhleli Dlamini, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Lionel Mapoe, 24 Nolan Pienaar, 25 Reinhardt Roets, 26 Joe van Zyl, 27 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 28 Madosh Tambwe.
