Pumas opt for tried and tested to challenge Currie Cup Final

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has gone with the tried and tested combination for the third consecutive week when he picked his side to defend their Currie Cup title in the Final against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Pumas from Nelspruit edged the Sharks 26-20 in a tense semifinal clash at Kings Park last weekend.

Stonehouse’s side outscored their opponents by four tries to two and they also produced a strong defensive display to keep the Durban side out in the final minutes of the game.

Their playmaker, flyhalf Tinus de Beer, is the top points scorer in the competition and his boot will be vital in this clash as finals tend to turn into a tactical kicking brawl, something the pivot is very equipped to do.

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The Cheetahs will be out for revenge after losing out on a Final berth last year when they lost to the Pumas in the semifinal.

The Cheetahs booked a spot in the final with a comfortable 39-10 win over the Bulls in the semifinal clash.

Team:

Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Andrew Kota, 13 Diego Appolis, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Francois Kleinhans, 6 Andre Fouche, 5 Shane Kirkwood (captain), 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Simon Raw, 2 Pieter Jacobs, 1 Corne Fourie.

Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Deward Martitz, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Gene Willemse, 23 Wian van Niekerk

Date: Saturday, June 24

Venue: Bloemfontein Stadium

Kick-off: 16:00 (14:00 GMT)

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant Referees: AM Jacobs, Stephan Geldenhuys

TMO: Egon Seconds