Injuries deplete hapless Pumas
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has been forced into making several changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round Six encounter with the Free State Cheetahs.
Regular captain Ryan Nell and flank Francois Kleinhans both picked up injuries in the 14-45 loss to Western Province at Newlands last week.
The injuries and few tactical changes have resulted in a revamp of the team.
Henko Marais comes in at inside centre for the injured Nell, while Luther Obi starts on the left wing in place of Etienne Taljaard.
The injury to Kleinhans sees Jeandre Rudolph start on the flank and taking over the captaincy, while Hermanus du Preez starts on the other flank in the place of Willie Engelbrecht.
The Cheetahs are in the last place on the standings, with one win from five starts.
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Morné Joubert, 13 Alwayno Visagie, 12 Henko Marais, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Christopher Smith, 9 Ashlon Davids, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hermanus du Preez, 6 Jeandre Rudolph (captain), 5 Stefan Willemse, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Marne Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 De-Jay Terblanche, 18 Hilton Lobberts, 19 Phumzile Maqondwana, 20 Ginter Smuts, 21 Jacobus Marais, 22 Ruwellyn Isbell, 23 Ngonidzashe Chidoma.
Date: Saturday, August 17
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Eduan Nel
TMO: Christie du Preez