Pumas vs Lions

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 26: Pieter van Vuuren (captain) of the Pumas during the SA Rugby Preparation Series match between Emirates Lions and NNC Pumas at Emirates Airline Park on February 26, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images

Currie Cup Premier Division round 1 preview: Pumas vs Lions

The Pumas vs Lions fixture kicks off the Currie Cup Premier Division in Mbombela on Friday 18 June from 19:00.

Pumas vs Lions

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 26: Pieter van Vuuren (captain) of the Pumas during the SA Rugby Preparation Series match between Emirates Lions and NNC Pumas at Emirates Airline Park on February 26, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images

Pumas vs Lions: The Currie Cup Premier Division kicks off with a cat fight in Mbombela on Friday night.

Pumas vs Lions – preview

The Lions may have won the last two Currie Cup macthes against the Pumas, but on both occasions, the men from Mpumalanga were in it, with each team scoring three tries apiece when they last met, on 2 January 2020.

The Lowvelders have been boosted by the return of No 8 Willie Engelbrecht, who was on loan to the Stormers during the PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA competition and who will add some real grunt upfront.

Experienced lock Pieter Janse van Vuren will yet again lead the New Nation Pumas in the Carling Currie Cup, while prop Corné Fourie’s return to Nelspruit, after stints in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Japan and England, will add to their depth in the front row.

However, the Lions have unearthed a slew of brilliant young loose forwards recently, and all of them will be keen to build on their Rainbow Cup form in the Carling Currie Cup. Former Junior Springbok eighthman Francke Horn, who returns from injury to lead the team, will start next to Vincent Tshituka and Sibusiso Sangweni this weekend.

Pumas vs Lions – Team News

Teams listed 15-1, replacements 16-23

Pumas: Devon Williams, Tapiwa Mafura, Erich Cronje, Ali Mgijima, Ettiene Taljaard, Eduard Fouche, Chriswill September, Willie Engelbrecht, Phumzile Maqondwana, Francois Kleinhans, Pieter van Vuren, Darrien Landsberg, Marne Coetzee, Simon Westraadt, Corne Fourie. Replacements: Eduan Swart, Dewald Maritz, IG Prinsloo, Brandon Valentyn, Daniel Maartens, Ginter Smuts, Matt More, Jade Stighling.

Lions: EW Viljoen; Jamba Ulengo, Manuel Rass, Dan Kriel, Rabz Maxwane; Fred Zeilinga, Dillon Smit; Francke Horn (capt) , Vincent Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangweni, Reinhard Nothnagel, Willem Alberts, Carlu Sadie, PJ Botha, Nathan McBeth. Replacements: Morne Brandon, Banele Mthenjane, Ruan Dreyer, Ruhan Straeuli, Emmanuel Tshituka, Ross Cronjé, Aidynn Cupido, Duncan Matthews

Match information, where to watch, tv times

Pumas vs Golden Lions

Date: Friday, 18 June

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kick-off: 19h00

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant Referees: Local appointments

Television Match Official: Marius van der Westhuizen

TV: SuperSport