Pumas add experience for Stormers visit
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have added some considerable experience to their front row for the visit of the Springbok-laded Stormers team on Friday.
The Pumas host the Stormers in a Round Three Super Rugby Unlocked outing at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Abraham le Roux, who joined the Pumas late last year, will make his debut at hooker on Friday.
Le Roux, 29, was part of the Pumas' pre-season squad, till the COVID-19-enforced lockdown in March.
During the lockdown, he suffered an injury while training at home.
He started his 'return to play' three weeks ago and will finally make his debut on Friday.
Le Roux played 90 games for Griquas, before his move to Nelspruit last year.
He also featured in a combined 30-odd first-class games for the Bulls, Lions, Cheetahs and Griffons.
The inclusion of Le Roux in the place of Simon Westraadt at No.2 is the only change in the starting XV that scored a deserved 27-21 win over Griquas in Kimberley last Saturday.
Westraadt drops down to the bench and Hendrik van Schoor drops out of the matchday squad.
Ignatius Prinsloo also comes onto the bench in place of Dewald Maritz, as cover for the outside backs.
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Neil Maritz, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Wayne van der Bank, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Eddie Fouche, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4 Darrien Landsberg, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 Abraham le Roux, 1 Morgan Naude.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Liam Hendriks, 18 Heath Backhouse, 19 Phumzile Maqondwana, 20 Dian Badenhorst, 21 Niel Marais. 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Ignatius Prinsloo.
Date: Friday, October 23
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Griffin Colby
TMO: AJ Jacobs
- Picture provided by Johan Orton