Pumas add some Raw muscle for Cheetahs

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse had made one change to his starting XV that will host the Cheetahs in Nelspruit on Saturday.

Simon Raw gets promoted from the bench and will start at tighthead prop.

The 28-year-old replaces Njabulo Gumede.

There are two changes on the bench. Chriswill Septemper and Gene Willemse replace Lundi Msenge and Brandon Thomson.

The defending Currie Cup champions the Pumas will be desperate for a victory following their recent run of defeats.

The side has struggled and suffered losses to Bulls, Western Province, Sharks and Golden Lions.

However, they managed to remain third on the log and a win over Cheetahs will strengthen that position.

Team:

Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Andrew Kota, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Giovan Snyman, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Francois Kleinhas, 6 Andre Fouche, 5 Shane Kirkwood (captain), 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Simon Raw, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Cameron Dawson.

Replacements: 16 Pieter Jacobs, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Etiene Janeke, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Gene Willemse, 23 Jaco Labuschagne

Date: Saturday, June 3

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)

Referee: Morne Ferreira

Assistant Referees: Paul Mente, Stephan Geldenhuys

TMO: Egon Seconds