Pumas switch their centres - again
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:04
The Pumas have made two changes to their backline from the side that beat the Bulls 22-21 for Friday's Currie Cup clash against the Leopards.
The Pumas have a rare opportunity to achieve back-to-back victories in the Currie Cup, as the team is full of confidence following their historic win over the defending champion Blue Bulls last weekend.
The first change to the side is on the wing, where Braam Pretorius comes in for Vainon Willis, who drops down onto the bench for the match.
Star scrumhalf Jacques Coetzee has been forced out of the match with a hamstring injury, so Tian Meyer moves from inside centre to his preferred position in the No.9 jersey, while Ashwin Scott - who has featured mostly on the wing this season - takes over at centre.
The forwards are unchanged from the last match, while Johan Jackson takes up a spot on the bench in place of the suspended Eduard van der Walt.
Coach Jimmy Stonehouse has had his hands full this season, with injuries to his three first choice centres, forcing him to mix and match players out of position in the backline.
"We have had our injuries. All our centers are injured so I choose two scrumhalves as centers," Stonehouse told Sport24.
"The best thing for me is the incredible patience that my team have been able to play with. Remember that before the season I said we would do better in the second half [of the Currie Cup]. The win [over the Bulls] was a big step forward for us."
Pumas: 15 Nicky Kritzinger, 14 Braam Pretorius, 13 Shaun Venter, 12 Ashwin Scott, 11 Allister Kettledas, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Christo le Roux, 7 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 6 Corne Steenkamp, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Andries Kruger, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin (captain), 1 Ronnie Uys.
Replacements: 16 Dee-Jay Terblanche, 17 Dawie Steyn, 18 Willem Serfontein, 19 Jaco Bouwer, 20 Ricardo Croy, 21 Vainon Willis, 22
Johan Jackson.
Date: Friday, September 3
Venue: Olën Park, Potchefstroom
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Pro Legoete
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Pieter de Villiers
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