Sharks v Pumas – Teams and Prediction

CURRIE CUP, SEMIFINAL: It will be a case of student versus master when the Sharks host the Pumas at the Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

It has been one incredible season for coach Joey Mongalo, who is in the run for silverware in his first season as head coach of the Sharks’ Currie Cup side.

Over the last couple of months, Mongalo has managed to transform the Sharks into a force in the domestic competition – recording seven consecutive wins before the defeat to Western Province last weekend.

And on Saturday, Mongalo, who has been coaching for 13 years, faces a very stern test when he goes up against his former Craven Week coach Jimmy Stonehouse.

The experienced Stonehouse led the Pumas to their first Currie Cup title last season, a factor that will play a huge part this Saturday admits Mongalo.

“The Pumas are a very good rugby team," Mongalo said, adding: "You don't become champions by luck, you become champions because you've got a lot in your arsenal and something is going right in your environment.

"They are well coached and Stonehouse has been doing this for many years, so that aspect makes a big difference.”

Forward-orientated game

Knowing Stonehouse, Mongalo explained his team should expect a very tactical game.

The KwaZulu-Natalians beat the defending champions twice during the league phase – claiming a 19-12 win in Durban in Round Five, and a 24-22 victory in Nelspruit in Round 10.

The semifinal in Durban on Saturday could witness another fiercely contested, low-scoring affair.

The Sharks conceded the fewest tries during the regular season (37) while the Pumas conceded the second-fewest (38).

"We are expecting a brutally physical forward-orientated game which will see both teams trying to outsmart each other tactically,” Mongalo explained.

"I have warned the players we might see plays we haven’t seen before, but when that happens they must just have trust in their systems.”

'Who are the Pumas?'

The Pumas head to Durban with the underdog status. However, for Stonehouse's men being the underdog is nothing new.

It is a label that actually fuels them, making them a big threat, especially away from home.

"We don't have the squad depth, we don't have the money and who are the Pumas really?  we are basically nobody.

"We don't have any international competition, we are just there," Stonehouse said.

"But luckily we do have good quality players, men with integrity and guys that train and fight hard.

"They believe and have a never-say-die attitude.

"So we just hope it will come to all together and the Pumas can be brilliant and hope it goes our way."

The coach added the team's spirit is really high.

"We can not wait to get down to Durban," Stonehouse said

"We are provided and blessed to be in the semifinals and want to handle that with care.

"There are a lot of teams and not everyone can be there, so the spirit is high and the mood is great."

Similar to Mongalo, Stonehouse has also predicted a very physical encounter.

"The Sharks are a quality side. They have a great scrum, a great maul.

"They have picked a very heavy pack and opted for a six-two bench split and everything will come down to a kicking game from them.

"So the one who is going to stop mauling, win the kicking battle, have the least penalties, those will be the determining factors."

Prediction

@rugby365com:  This has been a very difficult task but have to say Sharks by three points

Teams: 

Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.

Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Ockie Barnard, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Curwin Bosch.

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 17

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 17.30 (15.30 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby, Paul Mente

TMO: Quinton Immelman