Pumas make wholesale changes for Bulls clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have made 10 changes to their starting XV for Tuesday's preparation series match against the Bulls in Nelspruit.

In the backline, Morne Joubert and Tapiwa Mafura are the wings this week with Luther Obi and Ettiene Taljaard out of the matchday 23.

There is a new midfield combination with Sebastian de Klerk and Ali Mgjima replacing Alwayno Visagie and Wayne van der Bank.

There is also a new halfback pairing with Neil Marais replacing Eddie Fouché at flyhalf and Chriswil September taking over the No.9 jersey from Giovan Snyman.

In that pack, there is a new-look back row in the form of Francois Kleinhans, Kwanda Dimaza and Phumzile Maqondwana. They replace Willie Engelbrecht, Eward Potgieter and Daniel Maartens

There is also a change in the front row with AJ le Roux coming in for Simon Westraadt.

Lock Le Roux Roets, who was on the bench last week, has joined the Sharks on a permanent deal.

Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Morne Joubert, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 Ali Mgjima, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Neil Marais, 9 Chriswil September, 8 Francois Kleinhans, 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Phumzile Maqondwana, 5 Pieter van Vuuren (captain), 4 Brandon Valentine, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 AJ le Roux, 1 Morgan Naudé.

Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Ruan Kramer, 19 Michael Benade, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Dian Badenhorst, 22 Eddie Fouché, 23 Erich Cronje.

Date: Tuesday, March 9

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant Referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Ashleigh Murray

TMO: Pro Legoete