Sep 2017 - Pumas Rugby Union
Posted on Sep 22, 2017 Sep 22, 2017 by Pumas
Pumas narrowly miss golden opportunity - 22 September 2017
Brian Shabangu was awarded man of the match in the clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein 22 September 2017
Photo: Johan Pretorius Photography
The Pumas squandered a golden opportunity to record the best Premier Currie Cup season ever when they narrowly went down 33-32 to the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon.
A fifth Currie Cup victory would have been the Pumas’ best result in South Africa’s premier domestic competition and at times it seemed that it was a forgone conclusion.
To be fair, they have had many opportunities to beat the Free State, but their efforts was not accurate enough against opponents they should have put away easily.
Two late tries by Free States flyhalf Robbie Petzer and some elusive running by fullback Clayton Blommetjies was too good for the Pumas defenders.
There were many positive signs during the match which they controlled for almost an hour, a maul try by Frankie Herne, a fine try by the hard-running winger Trompie Pretorius, a try to Willie Engelbrecht after fine inter-play with the other loose-forwards and a try by Justin van Staden which should have been the coup-de-grace.
A dropped pass by Van Staden and a foot into touch by flanker Brian Shabangu, who made up in the second half by some spirited play, eventually cost the Pumas a place into the history book, and a possible place in the competition.
Die Pumas het n goue kans om hul beste Curriebekerseisien in die Oremierliga te behaal, verspeel toe hulle Vrydagaand 33-32 teen die Vrystaat Cheetahs verloor het.
n Vyfde Curriebekeroorwinning sou die Pumas se beste vertoning in Suid Afrika se voorste plaaslike kompetisie wees en met tye het dit na n uitgemaakte saak gelyk
Om eerlik te wees het hulle baie kanse gehad om die Vrystaat te klop, maar hulle pogings was nie akkuraat genoeg nie teen teenstanders wie hulle maklik moes klop.
Twee laat driee deur die Vrystaat se losskakel Robbie Petzer en goeie aanvalle deur die heelagter Clayton Blommetjies was te goed vir die Pumas se verdedigers.
Daar was baie positiewe tekens in die wedstryd wat hulle vir meer as n uur beheer het, n dryfdrie deur Frankie Herne, n goeie drie deur Trompie Pretorius, n drie deur Willie Engelbrecht na mooi samespel tussen die losvoorspelers moes die finale spyker in die Vrystaat se kis wees.
N verlore aangee deur Justin van Staden en n voet op die lyn deur Brian Shabangu, wat daarvoor opgemaak het in die tweede helfte, het die Pumas n plek in die geskiedenisboeke gekos, en dalk n plek in die kompetisie.
Pumas: Tries: Frankie Herne, Trompie Pretorius, Willie Engelbrecht, Justin van Staden. Conversions: Kobus Marais (3). Penalties: Marais (2).
Free State: Tries: Robbie Petzer (2), Zee Makhabela, Cecil Afrika, Reinach Venter. Conversions: Petzer (4).
Posted on Sep 20, 2017 Sep 20, 2017 by Pumas
Hooker, Frankie Herne starts for Pumas against Cheetahs - 20 September 2017
Hooker, Frankie Herne in starting line-up for Pumas vs Cheetahs clash
Last year’s Pumas Player of the Year, hooker Frankie Herne, gets a well-deserved opportunity to start against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday night after starting from the bench in each of their previous nine Currie Cup fixtures.
Herne acted as Marko Janse van Rensburg and Mark Pretorius’ understudy so far in this campaign but gets his opportunity with Pretorius off with a hamstring injury.
Flanker Lambert Groenewald also had to be replaced due to a shoulder injury. Brian Shabangu, who started from the bench recently, has also been called up to the starting line-up.
Their top try-scorers in the competition are Mark Pretorius, Khwezi Mona, Trompie Pretorius and Ruwellyn Isbell on four each.
Flanker Francois Kleynhans has also been named on the bench after recovering from a head injury.
The backs however, remains unchanged.
Verlede jaar se Puma van die Jaar, die haker Frankie Herne, kry Vrydagaand in Bloemfontein teen die Cheetahs ‘n welverdiende beginkans nadat hy tot dusver in die Curriebekerreeks in elkeen van die nege wedstryde van die bank af begin het.
Marko Janse van Rensburg en Mark Pretorius het tot dusver in elke wedstryd begin maar met laasgenoemde wie sy dyspier beseer het, begin Herne ‘n slag.
Die flank Lambert Groenewald , wie sy skouer beseer het, moes ook vervang word en Brian Shabangu, wie ook onlangs van die bank af gespeel het, is opgetrek na die begin XV-tal.
Herne het al drie drieë in vanjaar se veldtog gedruk en is ‘n belangrike skakel in die Pumas se dryfbewegings.
Die voorste driedrukkers is die vleuels Mark Pretorius, Trompie Pretorius, Ruwellyn Isbel en Khwezi Mona.
Die flank Francois Kleinhans is ook op die bank ingesluit nadat hy van sy kopbesering herstel het.
Die agterlyn vir die kragmeting is onveranderd
Pumas versus Cheetahs: Justin van Staden; Jerome Pretorius, Gerrit Smith, Hennie Skorbinski ©, Ruwellyn Isbell; Kobus Marais, Stefan Ungerer; Willie Engelbrecht, Thembelani Bholi, Brian Shabangu, Hugo Kloppers, Stefan Willemse, Pieter Scholtz, Frankie Herne, Kwezi Mona.
Reserves: Marko Janse van Rensburg, De-Jay Terblanche, Cameron Lindsay, Fancois Kleinhans, Hilton Lobberts, Theo Maree, Selom Gavor
Posted on Sep 15, 2017 Sep 15, 2017 by Pumas
Pumas topple the men from the Cape - 15 September 2017
Frank Herne scored a try in the 57th minute of the clash against DHL WP at Mbombela Stadium.
The Pumas turned back the clock 34 years, when they defeated Western Province 22-12 in a Currie Cup game, in the Mbombela stadium on Friday night.
The Pumas, then names South Eastern Transvaal, scored their most famous win against a star-studded WP in a Lion Cup fixture back in 1983.
The Pumas added the Western Province scalp to that of the Lions and the Blue Bulls on their home turf with the spirited display which gave their Currie Cup hopes a massive boost.
Their little general Stefan Ungerer gave another sterling display at scrumhalf in the pink jersey and he must now be one of the top number nines in the country.
The Pumas’ shopping spree must be complimented with players like Ungerer, Tembelani Bholi, Stefan Willemse, Pieter Scholtz and Gerrit Smith turning their season around.
Kobus Marais contributed 12 points to the win against DHL WP at Mbombela Stadium
Die Pumas het die horlosie 34 jaar teruggedraai toe hulle die WP Vrydagaand in die Mbombela-stadion 22-12 in ‘n Curriebeker-wedstryd verslaan het.
Die Pumas, wat destyds bekend gestaan het as Suidoos-Transvaal, het hulle mees bekendste oorwinning teen ‘n sterbelaaide WP-span in ‘n Lion-beker wedstryd in 1983 behaal.
Die Pumas het die WP se kop by die van die Leeus en die Blou Bulle gevoeg met een van hul blinkste vertonings vanjaar om hul Curriebeker-hoop ‘n groot hupstoot te gee.
Hul klein general Stefan Ungerer het nog ‘n blink vertoning op skrumskakel in die pienk trui gelewer en hy moet nou een van die vooste nommer neges in die land wees.
Die Pumas se aankope moet gekomplilmenteer word met spelers soos Ungerer, Tembelani Bholi, Stefan Willemse, Pieter Scholtz en Gerrit Smith wat gehelp het om hul seisoen om te draai.
Pumas: Tries - Kobus Marais, Frank Herne, Jerome Pretorius. Penalties: Kobus Marias (1) Conversion: Kobus Marais (2)
Western Province: Tries - JD Schickerling, Seabelo Senatla. Conversion: Damian Willemse
Posted on Sep 13, 2017 Sep 13, 2017 by Pumas
Hilton Lobberts to play his 150th first class match for the Pumas - 13 September 2017
Former Springbok warrior Hilton Lobberts will play his 150th first class match should he take the field for the Pumas against Western Province
Photo: Carli Koch
Former Springbok warrior Hilton Lobberts will play his 150th first class match should he take the field for the Pumas against Western Province at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium on Friday evening.
Lobberts, a journeyman, has been included on the Pumas bench after spells with the Blue Bulls, Western Province, the Cheetahs and Griquas. He played in two Test matches for the Boks and represented the Emerging Springboks.
Coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has also recalled a number of his first-choice players in centre Gerrit Smith, scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer, lock Hugo Kloppers and loosehead prop Kwezi Mona.
The Pumas will however be without talisman flanker Chris Cloete who wasn’t considered due to an AC tear to his shoulder.
The changes to the Starting XV are:
• Jerome Pretorius moves from 13 to 14 to replace JP Lewis;
• Smith returns to outside centre;
• Ungerer is back at the expense of Reynier van Rooyen;
• Lambert Groenewald replaces Chris Cloete;
• Kloppers replace Cameron Lindsay and
• De-Jay Terblanche makes way for Mona in the Starting line-up.
Pumas versus WP: Justin van Staden; Jerome Pretorius, Gerrit Smith, Hennie Skorbinski ©, Ruwellyn Isbell; Kobus Marais, Stefan Ungerer; Willie Engelbrecht, Lambert Groenewald, Thembelani Bholi, Hugo Kloppers, Stefan Willemse, Pieter Scholtz, Mark Pretorius, Khwezi Mona. Reserves: Frank Herne, De-Jay Terblanche, Cameron Lindsay, Brian Shabangu, Hilton Lobberts, Reynier van Rooyen, Selom Gavor.
Die voormalige Springbok-kryger Hilton Lobberts sal Vrydag in die Mbombelastadion in Nelspruit in sy 150e eersterangse wedstryd opdraf wanneer hy speelkans teen die Westelike Provinsie kry.
Lobberts, wie al vir die Blou Bulle, die WP, Cheetahs en die Griekwas uitgedraf het, het ook in twee toetse vir die ‘Bokke gespeel en die Opkomende Bokke verteenwoordig.
Die afrigter Brent Janse van Rensburg het ook ‘n aantal van sy eerstekeuse-spelers soos die senter Gerrit Smith, die skrumskakel Stefan Ungerer, die slot Hugo Kloppers en die loskopstut Khwezi Mona weer gekies.
Die Pumas is egter sonder hul talisman-flank Chris Cloete wie nie beskikbaar is nie weens ‘n skouerbesering.
Daar is nog ‘n nuwe gesig op die bank in die voormalige Leeuvleuel Selom Gavor wie ook sy buiging vir die Pumas sal maak.
Die veranderinge aan die beginspan is:
• Jerome Pretorius skuif van 13 na 14 om JP Lewis te vervang;
• Smith skuif in op buitesenter;
• Ungerer vervang Reynier van Rooyen op skrumskakel;
• Lambert Groenewald vervang Chris Cloete;
• Kloppers keer terug ten koste van Cameron Lindsay, en
• De-Jay Terblanche maak plek vir Mona in die beginspan.
Pumas come close to log leader upset – 8 September 2017
Posted on Sep 8, 2017 Sep 8, 2017 by Pumas
De-Jay Terbanche joins the starting line-up against the Sharks and earns his 170th Cap – 7 September 2017
Posted on Sep 7, 2017 Sep 7, 2017 by Pumas
De-Jay Terbanche joins the starting line-up against the Sharks and earns his 170th Cap - 7 September 2017
De-Jay Terbanche joins the starting line this Friday and runs on the filed for his 170th Cap for the Pumas.
The Pumas’ Shark import Stefan Ungerer, won’t line-up when they face the coastal side in a Currie Cup fixture in Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Ungerer has joined another former Shark, Francois Kleinhans on the side-lines with concussion while fullback Gerrit Smith also sits this one out.
Stalwart scrumhalf Reynier van Rooyen starts at nine with Justin van Staden returning to the Starting XV, this time in the fullback jersey.
Van Rooyen was on the bench both times when the Pumas defeated the Sharks at Mbombela in 2014 and 15.
The only other survivors from those teams are Van Staden, Jerome Pretorius, Frankie Herne and De-Jay Terblanche.
Terblanche will be representing the Pumas for the 170th time. He replaces Kwezi Mona in the Starting XV this week while lock forward Cameron Lindsay starts for the first time.
Flyhalf Sias Ebersohn returns to the bench along with scrumhalf Theo Maré, who is on loan with the Blue Bulls.
Die Pumas se ingevoerde Shark Stefan Ungerer sal nie aantree wanneer hulle Saterdag in die Mbombelastadion in Nelspruit die kusspan in ‘n Curriebekerstryd aandurf nie.
Ungerer sluit hom by nog ‘n voormalige Shark, Francois Kleinhans met harsingskudding op die kantlyn aan terwyl die heelagter Gerrit Smith ook uitsit.
Die staatmaker-skrumskakel Reynier van Rooyen begin op nege terwyl Justin van Staden ook na die beginspan op heelagter terugkeer.
Van Rooyen was albei kere op die bank toe die Pumas die Sharks in 2014 en ’15 in die Mbombelastadium geklop het.
Ander spelers wat in daardie spanne gespeel het sluit in Van Staden, Jerome Pretorius, Frankie Herne en De-Jay Terblanche.
Terblanche sal die Unie vir die 170e keer teenwoordig. Hy vervang Kwezi Mona in die beginspan en die slot Cameron Lindsay begin die eerste keer.
Die losskakel Sias Ebersohn is ook terug op die bank met die reserwe-skrumskakel Theo Maré, wie deur die Blou Bulle aan die Pumas geleen word.
Pumas come within a whisker of a win – 2 September 2017
Posted on Sep 2, 2017 Sep 2, 2017 by Pumas
Pumas come within a whisker of a win - 2 September 2017
Lambert Groenewald scores to tries in the clash against the Lions at Emirates Airline Park.
The Steval Pumas came within a whisker of beating the Lions for a third time at Emirates Airline Park this century when they went down by a single point, 29-28.
This Pumas team have arrived and they nearly walked in the shoes of the teams of 2004 and 2010, the only Pumas team to be victorious in a Currie Cup game in Johannesburg.
It was a proverbial tit-for-tat game with the teams taking turns to score and the Lions could never rest on their laurels.
Springbok Ryan Kankowski opened the scoring for the Lions but the Pumas immediately hit back and at one stage led 14-10 but the Lions controlled the scoring in the rest of the first half, leading 22-14 at the break.
The Pumas soon scored after the break which was the start of the see-saw battle. The score changed to 22-21, 29-21 and finally 29-28.
The introduction of Chris Cloete at half-time made a huge difference and the Lions forwards couldn’t compete at the break-down.
Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer, who scored one try after a quick tap, kept the Lions defence honest and his tactical kicking was pin-point.
This Pumas team have arrived, and show us that they can compete with the best.
Die Steval Pumas het Saterdag op Emirates Airlinepark byna hul derde oorwinning in die Curriebekerreeks oor die Leeus behaal en net met ‘n enkele punt, 29-28 verloor.
Dié Pumas-span het hulself nou op die vlak aangekondig en byna soos hul voorgangers van 2004 en 2010 geseëvier.
Dit was ‘n spreekwoordelike wedstryd waarin die spanne beurte gemaak het om voor te loop en die Leeus kon nooit gerus raak nie.
Die Springbok Ryan Kankowski het eerste punte aangeteken maar die Pumas het dadelik teruggeslaan en was in ‘n stadium 14-10 voor maar die Leeus het die res van die eerste helfte beheer om met rustyd 22-14 voor te loop.
Die Pumas het kort na die hervatting van die spel punte aangeteken waarna die spanne beurte gemaak het om punte aan te teken. Die tellings van 22-21, na 29-21 en 29-28 verander.
Die flank Chris Cloete het ‘n reuse verskil na rustyd gemaak en die Leeus kon daarna nie weer op die grond meeding nie.
Die skrumskakel Stefan Ungerer, wie ‘n drie na ‘n vinnige tikskoppe gedruk het, het byna nog een gedruk en sy taktiese skopwerk was op ‘n tiekie.
Lions: Tries: Madosh Tambwe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Marco Janse van Vuren, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Dreyer. Conversions: Ashlon Davids (2).
Pumas: Tries: Lambert Groenewald (2), Ruwellyn Isbel, Stefan Ungerer. Kobus Marais (4).