Ambitious Pumas target top six finish
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:03
Star Leopards centre Jovan Bowles. (c) Gallo
It may sound overly ambitious, but the Pumas have set themselves some lofty goals - including a top six finish - in their first season back in the Premier Division.
Following last week's victory over the Blue Bulls there will be few who will contest the view that avoiding the promotion-relegation series at the end of the season is a realistic target.
The next step in their campaign comes when they take on the winless Leopards in Potchefstroom on Friday.
Keeping their feet firmly planted on the ground - after the impressive win over the Bulls - will be the key to success at Olën Park.
The hosts are the only side in this season's Currie Cup competition that are still in search of their first win, while the visitors will be out to secure a clean sweep over the men from Potchefstroom, having edged them in Witbank in July.
Motivation for the Leopards come in the form of a couple of milestones - with captain Wilhelm Koch and lock Anthonie Gronum both playing in their 50th matches for the Leopards.
However, the spotlight will be firmly on the Pumas, who know that win number three will take them another step further away from the relegation zone.
"Our goal of a top six finish is very realistic," coach Jimmy Stonehouse told the Afrikaans daily, Beeld, adding that Friday's encounter is vital to their cause.
Stonehouse admitted that keeping the players' feet on the ground was a key aspect of preparations this week.
"The Leopards have plenty of motivation and they are, like us, one of the smaller unions fighting for survival," he added.
Recent results:
2005: Leopards won 56-43, Witbank
2007: Pumas won 34-26, Witbank
2007: Pumas won 24-22, Potchefstroom
2008: Leopards won 54-14, Potchefstroom
2008: Leopards won 77-29, Witbank
2008: Leopards won 50-18, Potchefstroom (First Division play-offs)
2010: Pumas won
37-32, Witbank
rugby365.com Prediction: The Leopards have given some of the big guns a scare, and could have won against the Blue Bulls three weeks ago. They also seem to lift their game at home. However, the Pumas have looked the more structured and determined of the two teams throughout the season. The Leopards have also lost star playmaker Michael Bondisio to injury. The smart money is on the Pumas to win, by about 15 points.
Teams:
Leopards: 15 Danie Dames, 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 Jovan Bowles, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Dumisani Matyeshana, 10 Clayton Durand, 9 Theo van Wyk, 8 Riaan Swanepoel, 7 Reginald Kember, 6 Wilhelm Koch (captain), 5 Anthonie Gronum, 4 Brad Mockford, 3 Barend van der Walt, 2 Gavin Williamson, 1 Bennie Uys.
Replacements: 16 Marthinus van der Westhuizen, 17 Johan Coetzee, 18 Edrich Linde, 19 Christo van Niekerk, 20 Divan Kotze, 21 Cecil Dumond, 22
Cornelius Rautenbach.
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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