May 2017 - Pumas Rugby Union
Tel: +27 (0) 13 612 0534 | Email: media@pumas.co.za
Pumas Rugby Union
Close shave for Steval Pumas – 31 May 2017
Pumas group photo, before the big shave off at the Moroccan Barber Nelspruit
Tshepiso Phosa (Milviforce Puma N4, owner) and Pieter Burger (Steval Pumas CEO) before the big shave off at the Moroccan Barber Nelspruit
You can also donate R30 by sending an sms “pumasbeard” to 42516. For more information contact media@pumas.co.za
Pumas group photo, after the big shave off at the Moroccan Barber Nelspruit
Steval Pumas are determined to defend their top position – 31 May 2017
Steval Pumas are determined to defend their position at the top - 31 May 2017
Sias Ebersohn will get time in the starting jersey for this weekend’s clash against the Xerox Golden Lions this Friday at Emirates Airline Park.
The Steval Pumas are determined to defend their position at the top of the North Conference log, when they face the Xerox Golden Lions in what promises to be a fiery SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash at Emirates Airline Park this Friday.
Over the weekend, the Mpumalanga side showed their class by beating the Vodacom Blue Bulls 35-29 at Mbombela Stadium, catapulting them into top spot in their conference with three wins and a draw from five matches. Their only loss of the competition came at the hands of the Xerox Golden Lions, a result which the team is looking to reverse.
Coach Brent Janse van Rensburg said that preparation time is less than a week due to the Friday kick-off, but the side fortunately doesn't have any serious injuries to contend with. There are however several changes, with flyhalf Sias Ebersohn coming into the side for Kobus Marais, and Jannie Stander getting a start at lock.
"Kobus Marais had a really good game against the Bulls but we need to give Sias some game time in the starting jersey, which we've been wanting to do for a while. Jannie Stander gets an opportunity after some good contributions off the bench and we would like to see what he does with the opportunity to start," said Janse van Rensburg.
Stephan Greeff and De-Jay Terblanche will take their spots on the bench.
"As always, we expect a high tempo from the Lions so we've made the changes to match that style of play. Right from the kick-off, we need to be prepared for them to try and play us off our feet. We need to come out of the blocks quickly and ensure that we bring the required intensity and work rate to this match," Janse van Rensburg said.
The match against the Xerox Golden kicks off at 14:00. Be sure not to miss this exciting game.
Steval Pumas gereed om top posisie te verdedig
Die Steval Pumas is vasbeslote om hul posisie bo-aan die Noord-konferensie-logboek te verdedig wanneer hulle die Xerox Golden Lions in ’n vurige SuperSport Rugby uitdagingsbotsing in die gesig staar op Emirates Airline Park komende Vrydag.
Die Mpumalanga-span het die afgelope naweek hul klas getoon deur die Vodacom Blou Bulle 35-29 in die Mbombela-stadion te verslaan. Hulle het heel bo in hul konferensie geëndig met drie oorwinnings en een gelykopspel van vyf wedstryde. Hul enigste verlies van die kompetisie het in die hande gekom van die Xerox Golden Lions, ’n resultaat wat die span graag sal wil omswaai.
Afrigter Brent Janse van Rensburg het gesê voorbereidings word vandeesweek effens gedruk weens die Vrydag-afskop, maar die span het gelukkig geen ernstige beserings wat hulle moet hanteer nie. Daar is egter verskeie veranderinge, met die losskakel Sias Ebersohn in die span vir Kobus Marais, en Jannie Stander begin op slot.
"Kobus Marais het ’n baie goeie wedstryd teen die Bulls gehad, maar ons moet Sias speeltyd gun in die beginspan, iets wat ons al ’n rukkie wil doen. Jannie Stander kry ‘n geleentheid na goeie bydraes op die veld en ons wil graag sien wat hy verrig/doen met die geleentheid om in die beginspan te wees,” het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Stephan Greeff en De-Jay Terblanche sal hul plekke op die plaasvervangerbank inneem.
"Soos altyd, verwag ons ’n hoë tempo van die Leeus, so ons het die veranderinge aangepas om by die styl van die spel te pas. Ons moet van die afskop af voorbereid wees vir hulle om ons van ons voete af te speel. Ons moet regtig vinnig uit die blokke kom en verseker dat ons met dieselfde hoeveelheid intensiteit en werkverrigting wat die Leeus bring, reageer," het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Die wedstryd teen die Xerox Golden Lions skop om 14:00 af. Maak seker dat jy nie hierdie opwindende spel misloop nie.
Steval Pumas win over Vodacom Blue Bulls a solid effort – 27 May 2017
Frank Herne scored a thrilling try in the 72 min of the match between the Steval Pumas and Vodacom Blue Bulls today at Mbombela Stadium.
Photo: Andre Mentjies
The Vodacom Blue Bulls started on the front foot, placing serious pressure on the Steval Pumas, leading to a rumbled-over try in the 7th minute, 0-5.
The Steval Pumas responded immediately, with Marko Janse van Rensburg wrestling over a try 4 minutes later, 5-5.
While he missed the conversion, Kobus Marais would slot a penalty kick 4 minutes later, 8-5.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls scored a converted try 3 minutes later, 8-12.
The Blue Bulls kept up the pressure, and were rewarded with another converted try by Franco Johan Naude 8 minutes later, 8-19.
Not to be outdone, Ryan Nell and Kobus Marais would combine for another converted Pumas try in the 33rd minute, 15-19.
Marais landed a penalty kick for the home side to take them into the break at 18-19.
The second half started at break-neck pace with Hennie Skorbinski scoring a try in the 44th minute. Kobus Marais was on hand to convert, 25-19.
12 minutes later, the Vodacom Blue Bulls were awarded a penalty try to take the score to 25-26. Marais hit back with a penalty kick 2 minutes later to leave the game finely poised at 28-26, with 20 minutes to play.
A Vodacom Blue Bulls penalty, with 12 minutes to play, took the score to 28-29, before the Steval Pumas scored a converted try in the 73 minute, 35-29.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls launched some serious attacks at the Steval Pumas line, but a spirited defence, even in the 80th minute, kept the Pretoria side at bay, and the Steval Pumas would take a well-deserved 35-29 win.
Steval Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg said the team delivered an exceptional performance.
“They put their bodies on the line and they had a good work ethic. Unfortunately, at times we put ourselves under pressure, we didn’t exit well from our own half and that resulted in the Bulls having a good field position to play from,” said Janse van Rensburg.
Next week however, the Steval Pumas will be focusing their attention to the Xerox Golden Lions whom they will face in Ellis Park. With this game in mind, coach Janse van Rensburg said the team poses a new threat all together.
“We have to recover well this week. We have a really short turn around now but I think today was a solid effort from the team,” said Janse van Rensburg.
Steval Pumas se soete tweede oorwinning oor die Vodacom Blue Bulls
Die Vodacom Blue Bulls het in die Laeveld opgedaag met die beslis om ernstige rugby te speel.
Dit het hulle slegs 7 minute geneem om hul eerste drie te druk, 0-5.
Die Steval Pumas kon onmidellik terugslaan met ‘n Marko Janse van Rensburg drie om die telling tot 5-5 te neem.
Kobus Marais was 4 minute later suksesvol met n strafskop, 8-5, voor die Vodacom Blue Bulls nog n verdoelde drie aangeteken het, 8-12.
Die Vodacom Blue Bulls het volgehou met die druk en Franco Johan Naude het 8 minute later ‘n verdoelde drie aangeteken, 8-19.
Ryan Nell en Kobus Marais het saamgespan vir die volgende, verdoelde, Pumas drie, 15-19, en net voor halftyd was Marais suksesvol met nog ‘n strafskop vir ‘n halftyd-telling van 18-19.
Die tweede helfte het op volle spoed begin en Hennie Skorbinski het in die 44ste minuut ‘n Marais-verdoelde drie aangeteken, 25-19.
Die skeidsregter het 12 minute later ‘n straf-drie aan die Vodacom Blue Bulls toegeken, 25-26.Slegs 2 minute later het Marais met nog ‘n strafskop geslaag, 28-26.
Met 12 minute om te speel, het die Vodacom Blue Bulls se strafskop ‘n enkele punt voordeel bewerkstelling, 28-29, totdat die Steval Pumas in die 73ste minuut nog ‘n verdoelde drie kon aanteken, 35-29.
Ten spyte van verbete aanslae op die Steval Puma lyn, kon die Vodacom Blue Bulls nie inbreuk maak nie en die Steval Pumas was sukselvol in hul poging om die tweeslag teen die Vodacom Blue Bulls aan te teken.
Steval Pumas afrigter Brent Janse Van Rensburg het gesê sy span het ‘n uitmuntende vertoning gelewer.
“Hulle was bereid om fisies betrokke te raak en het deurgaans hard gewerk. Ongelukkig het ons onsself ook onder druk geplaas deur nie altyd effektief uit one eie helfte te kon speel nie, en ons het die Bulle toegelaat om goeie veld-posisies in te neem”, het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Volgende week sal die Steval Pumas al hul aandag op die Xerox Golden Lions moet fokus as hulle op Ellis Park gaan speel. Met ‘n oog op die wedstryd het afrigter Janse van Rensburg genoem dat die span ‘n heel nuwe bedreiging sal moet hokslaan.
“Ons gaan hierdie week moet gebruik om goed te herstel, ons het ‘n kort omkeertyd, maar vandag was ‘n baie goeie vertoning,” het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Pumas: Try: Marko Janse Van Rensburg (1), Hennie Skorbinski (1), Frank Herne (1), Ryan Nell (1)
Conversions: Kobus Marais (3)
Penalties: Kobus Marais (3)
Bulls: Try: Shaun Adendorff (2), Franco Naude (1)
Conversions: Kefentse Mahlo (1)
Penalties: Joshua Stander (1)
Steval Pumas aim for double over Bulls – 25 May 2017
Marko Janse van Rensburg and Tazz Fuzani will come into the starting line-up for this weekend’s clash against Vodacom Blue Bulls at Mbombela Stadium.
Photo: Johan Rynners
Having already beaten the Vodacom Blue Bulls away, the Steval Pumas will aim to do the double over the Pretoria side, welcoming them to Mbombela Stadium in the next round of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge this Saturday.
Having travelled extensively over the last few weeks, the Nelspruiters are looking forward to playing at their home ground, especially after their scintillating 41-41 draw over the Hino Falcons in Kempton Park this past weekend. The men in pink will be playing at Mbombela Stadium for the first time this year, having hosted their previous home match in Kanyamazane.
Reflecting on the Hino Falcons clash, Steval Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg said that the team needed to be more patient with ball in hand.
“If you look at the match it’s clear that we dominated. We again created plenty of opportunities to put points on the board, but sometimes made the wrong decisions by kicking the ball away or losing it at the attacking breakdown. There were also one-on-one tackles missed, so we need to cut down on those soft moments in the game. It’s small things, not big things, so we’ll be focusing on executing our plans correctly this time,” said Janse van Rensburg.
This weekend, Tazz Fuzani, Marko Janse van Rensburg and Khwezi Mona will come into the starting line-up. Jacques Kotze will also get some game time coming off the bench.
“This is an opportunity to see what they can do again. Certain players are right for certain types of games so we’ve thought tactically about the changes we’ve made this week,” Janse van Rensburg said of the alterations.
Janse van Rensburg is confident that the Steval Pumas can counter the Bulls’ abrasive style of play, just as they did in the 31-23 victory at Loftus Versveld in the first round of the competition.
“I’m sure the players will be really up for it this week. The set piece is always a big challenge against the Bulls. Their team thrive off momentum and are very good at moving the ball to the edges and then stretching you in the wider channels. Our width, defence and line speed are key. But we’re confident we can put them under pressure if we execute accurately and everyone plays to their full potential,” the coach said.
A win over the Bulls will see the Steval Pumas leapfrogging their opponents into second place on the North Conference log, behind the Xerox Golden Lions.
The match against the Vodacom Blue Bulls kicks off at 15:00. Be sure to get your tickets today for the match taking place at the Mbombela Stadium.
Die Steval Pumas sien dubbel
Nadat hulle alreeds the Vodacom Blue Bulls op Loftus kon klop, mik die Steval Pumas nou vir die tweeslag as hulle die Pretoria span Saterdag te Mbombela Stadion welkom heet in die SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
Oor die afgelope paar weke het die Nelspruiters wyd en syd gereis, en sien dus uit na ‘n kans om op hul tuisveld te speel, veral na die sprankelended 41-elk bonus-punt stryd teen die Hino Falcons in Kempton Park laas naweek.
Dit sal die eerste keer wees dat die Manne-In-Pienk by die Mbombela Stadion speel, hul vorige tuis wedstryd was in Kanyamazane.
Met ‘n terugblik op die Hino Falcons wedstryd het Steval Puma afrigter, Brent Janse van Rensburg, gesê dat die span meer geduldig moet wees wanneer hulle balbesit geniet.
“Dit was duidelik dat ons deurgaans die oorhand oor die Hino Falcons gehad het. Ons het weereens telke geleenthede geskep om punte op die telbord te sit, maar het elke nou en dan die verkeerde besluit gemaak en ons besit weggeskop, of die bal by die aanvallende afbreekpunt verloor. Ons het ook n paar individuele duikslae op enkel bal-draers gemis, en ons moet gewoon ontslae raak van hierdie sagte oomblikke in ons spel. Die groot planne is in plek, ons moet seker maak dat ons aandag gee aan die fyner besonderhede, ons sal fokus om ons planne korrek uit te voer in hierdie wedstryd,” het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Tazz Fuzani, Marco Janse can Rensburg en Kwezi Mona is almal in die opdraf-span, terwyl Jacques Kotze van die plaasvervangersbank speeltyd sal kry.
“Dis ‘n geleentheid om weer te sien wat hulle kan doen. Sekere spelers is ideaal vir spesifieke wedstryde, so ons het die veranderinge aan die span takties oorweeg,” het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Die afrigter is ook vol vertroue dat die Steval Pumas die Vodacom blue Bulls se agressiewe speel-styl suksesvol kan teenstaan, net soos hulle in die 31-23 oorwinning op Loftus Versveld kon doen tydens die eerste rondte van die kompetisie.
“Ek is oortuig ons spelers is reg vir hierdie wedstryd. Die vaste aspekte van die spel is altyd van deurslaggewende belang teen die Bulls. Hulle floreer op momentum en is gespits om die bal vinnig wyd te sprei, en dan die verdedigende span in die wyer kanale te strek. Die wydte van ons spel, ons verdediging, en ons lyn-spoed gaan baie belangrik wees in hierdie wedstryd.”
“Maar, ons is vol vertroue dat ons hulle onder druk kan plaas as ons ons spel-patrone effektief uitvoer, en as almal tot hul volle potensiaal speel,” het die afrigter gesê.
n Oorwinning sal die Steval Pumas in staat stel om hul Saterdag opponente met n boksprong verby te steek op die punteleer, en ‘n tweede plek, na die Xerox Golden Lions, in te neem.
Bull, Bull, staan styf…
Die wedstryd teen die Vodacom Blue Bulls skop om 15:00 af by die Mbombela Stadion. Kry jou kaartjies vandag.
4 Left lock TAZZ FUZANI
2 Hooker JANSE VAN RENSBURG MARKO
Steval Pumas vs Hino Falcons, head to head, toe to toe – 20 May 2017
Carel Greeff scored two tries in the clash against the Falcons at the Bosman stadium in Brakpan today.
From the time they kicked off their 4th round SuperSport Rugby Challenge match against the Hino Falcons at the Bosman Stadium in Brakpan, the Steval Pumas knew they were in for a challenge.
The Hino Falcons took an early lead thru a 5th minute penalty, 3-0, before Frank Herne scored an unconverted try 6 minutes later, 3-5.
Another early penalty allowed the Hino Flacons to retake the lead, 6-5, before Ruwellyn Isbell scored on the half hour mark. The conversion wasn’t successful, 6-10.
The Hino Falcons showed why they are so highly regarded in this competition by soaking up the early pressure and responding with two late tries towards the end of the first half.
They were both converted to allow the Hino Falcons to go in at half-time leading 27-10.
Coach Brent Janse van Rensburg’s team-talk obviously worked, as the Steval Pumas started the second half on the front foot, leading to a De-Jay Terblanche try in the 45th minute. Again unconverted, it would take the score to 27-15 before Terblanche made way for Kwezi Mona in the first of several tactical changes.
Kobus Marais made way for Sias Ebersohn, Jannie Stander replaced Stephan Greeff, and Marko Janse van Rensburg took over from Frank Herne.
Within minutes Carel Greeff scored a try and Sias Ebersohn converted, 27-22.
While the Hino Falcons were still recovering, JP Lewis went over in the corner, handing Ebersohn a tough conversion, which he slotted, 27-29.
The coach wasn’t done yet, bringing on Nardus van der Walt to replace Willem Engelbrecht, and returning favourite Jerome ‘Trompies’ Pretorius, just after the hour mark.
Moments later, Devon Williams took his opportunity to score, again converted by Ebersohn, 36-27.
After losing a player to the sin bin for taking out a Steval Pumas player in the air, the Hino Falcons regrouped to score a converted try, 34-36, before a yellow card was shown to Ryan Nell for a dangerous tackle as the game continued with 14 men apiece.
The game ramped up to a dramatic finale as the Hino Falcons scored a late try, 41-36, only to have it answered by Carel Greeff’s unconverted try.
The umpire’s final whistle would bring this all-action encounter to a close at a 41-41 draw.
Steval Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg said the team gave away too many soft tries and had a lot of catching up to do in the second half.
“Just too many soft moments. Our decision making wasn’t good, we ended up losing a lot of ball in hand that put us under a lot of pressure and we just weren’t patient with the ball in hand, chucking unnecessary passes around. In our attacking breakdown, we lost a fair amount of ball, which resulted in us standing under our posts and having to play catch-up rugby. Missing basic 1 on 1 tackles too gave away easy tries. In the second half, we outscored them but unfortunately we kicked the ball away unnecessarily at times, gave possession away and that made it difficult to put more points on the board and to close the game out.,” said Janse van Rensburg.
However, the coach is looking forward to next week’s match and says he is positive that the team will get better and keep going.
Pumas: Try: Frank Herne (1), Ruwellyn Isbell (1), De-Jay Terblanche (1), Carel Greeff (2), JP Lewis (1), Devon Williams (1)
Conversion: Sias Ebersohn (3)
Falcons: Try: Mamus Erasmus (1), Andries Schutte (1), Friedle Olivier (1)
Conversion: Warren Potgieter (3), Shane Kirkwood (2), Friedle Olivier (1), Christian Rust (3)
Penalties: Warren Potgieter (2)
Steval Pumas target third win against Hino Falcons – 18 May 2017
Photo: Brain Shabangu runs onto the field at 6th man after winning Man of the Match against the Namibia at last weekend’s SuperSport Rugby Challenge held at the Bill Jardine Stadium.
Steval Pumas welcome new members to the winning team – 16 May 2017
Photo: front to back: Brent Janse van Rensburg (Head Coach), Marius van Rensburg (Operations Manager), Lance Salter, Louis Janse van Rensburg, Gerrit Smith, Jerome Pretorius & Francois Kleinhans. Absent: Sizophila Maseko
With a hand-picked selection of players and support, the Steval Pumas have been quietly busy bolstering their ranks as they get into the full swing of this 2017 season.
Chief among these, must be the addition of Lance Salter, a 32 year old Performance Analyst from the Eastern Cape.
Lance obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Media, Communication and Culture from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and served as a Performance Analyst at the same institution, before joining the Eastern Province Kings as a Technical Coordinator in 2015.
His passion for rugby, and getting to know new people and cultures is sure to stand him in good stead in his new position as Head of Performance Analysis with the Steval Pumas.
Joining Lance on the technical side will be the new Head of Strength and Conditioning, Louis Janse van Rensburg.
Louis obtained his Honours Degree in Sport Science at Potchefstroom. He started working with NWU-Pukke while doing his Honours in Psychology through UNISA. Starting with the u/19 team, he worked his way up, eventually working with the Varsity Cup winning team in 2016. He also worked with the Leopards Rugby Union, including the senior team which contested the 2016 Currie Cup final.
On the player-side the following guys will be joining the squad:
Gerrit Smith, utility back from EP Kings
A familiar face returning to the Pumas, Jerome (Trompie) Pretorius, centre/wing
Ex-Leopard player Sizophila Maseko is another one to add some additional punch to the Steval Pumas backline.
Finally, the Sharks loose forward, Francois Kleinhans, joins to bolster the ranks of the loose-trio selections available to coach Brent Janse van Rensburg.
The team is also very excited about the addition of a number of star players who are currently playing Super Rugby, and will be joining the Steval Pumas for the Premier Currie Cup. These are: Thembelani Bholi, Stefan Ungerer, Neil Maritz and Cameron Lindsay.
Janse van Rensburg welcomed the newcomers and said they have thankfully been successful in sourcing skilful staff with sound character and he believes they will add great value to the Steval Pumas brand.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome our new staff and players to the Pumas family. A few players have arrived already and find themselves in a top-up phase currently within our structures whilst the balance is due to arrive after their Super Rugby duties have been completed. Our depth has been tested of late and our procurement plan is essential to provide depth, increase competition within our squad and ensure the presence of varying skill sets that can be put to use where required.”
The Steval Pumas would like to extend a hearty Mpumalanga welcome to all the new additions to the squad.
Fast and Furious – Steval Pumas beat Windhoek Draught Welwitschias – 14 May 2017
Brain Shabangu wins man of the match against Namibia at the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg – 14 May 2017.
Ryan Nell’s first try in a Steval Puma jersey after 5 minutes in the match against Namibia at the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg – 14 May 2017.
Steval Pumas eager to take on Namibia this weekend – 11 May 2017
Ruwellyn Isbell and Sias Ebersohn in the game between Steval Pumas and Lions on 29th April. Coach Brent Janse van Rensburg says that the team must win their set piece ball, hold onto ball and protect it for this weekend’s upcoming game against Namibia in Johannesburg.
Photo: Frans Louw
The Steval Pumas will be eager to live up to their true potential when they face the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias on Sunday, as the two sides go head-to-head at the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg.
The Mpumalanga side has had a solid start to the SuperSport Challenge, beating the Vodacom Blue Bulls in the first round of the competition before putting up a determined fight against the Xerox Golden Lions in the 40-29 loss in Nelspruit last weekend.
According to Steval Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg, the Lions game showed that line-speed and width on defence, continue to be areas of emphasis. Janse van Rensburg explained that there are three main aspects which the team will focus on for the upcoming game: discipline, keeping possession, winning set-piece.
“We cannot give away soft penalties and we need to make good decisions at the breakdown. We must win our set-piece ball, hold on to the ball and protect it. I would like to see the soft moments in defence of last week eradicated this week. We gave away a couple of really soft tries. There were a fair amount of individual errors in the previous match and we need to be more precise in our execution,” said Janse van Rensburg.
With regards to the Namibians, coach Janse van Rensburg said that the Steval Pumas should be wary of leaving bread crumbs for the opposition to feed off.
“Namibia is a team that lives off turn over ball. They score 40% of their tries from turnover ball. We need to make sure we don’t put ourselves under pressure when we have ball in hand. When we have ball in hand we have to keep it and not leave any bread crumbs for them to live off,” he said.
There have been no major changes to the team this week, apart from the exclusion of loose forward Reuben Johannes, who is out for six months with a shoulder injury.
Janse van Rensburg said the team is feeling confident for the weekend’s match.
“It’s all about us playing to our full potential and improving every week. For that to happen we need to be mentally and physically in the game and invest ourselves wholeheartedly into this match. We need to give Namibia enough respect. It’s really important for us to be accurate this week,” he said.
This weekend Jannie Stander and Kwezi Mona’s join the quad in their first SuperSport Rugby Challenge 2017 match and Johann Grundling will make his debut as a reserve in official Steval Pumas squad of 22. Brian Shabangu replaces the injured Reuben Johannes in starting 15 and Hennie Skorbinski will once again be captain of the team.
The match against the Welwitschias kicks off at 13h00. This game will be televised on channel 201. You can also get live score updates on the Steval Pumas Facebook page & Twitter feed.
Reuben Johannes is replaced by Brain Shabangu due to an injury incurred in the first game of the SSRC against the Bulls at Loftus on the 22nd April.
Steval Pumas gretig om Namibië hierdie naweek aan te vat
Die Steval-pumas sal graag tot hul volle potensiaal speel wanneer hulle Sondag die Windhoek Draught Welwitschias in die gesig staar. Die twee spanne sal mekaar die stryd aansê in die Bill Jardine-stadion in Johannesburg.
Die Mpumalanga-span het die SuperSport-uitdaging goed begin, en het die Vodacom Blou Bulle in die eerste ronde van die kompetisie geklop voordat hulle teen n vasberade Xerox Golden Lions in Nelspruit verloor het.
Volgens Brent Janse van Rensburg, Steval Pumas-afrigter, het die Lions-wedstryd gewys dat lynspoed en wydte op verdediging steeds gebiede is waarop klem geplaas sal moet word. Janse van Rensburg het verduidelik dat daar drie hoofaspekte is waarop die span sal fokus met die volgende wedstryd, naamlik: dissipline, balbesit en vaste fassette.
“Ons kan nie straf skoppe weggee nie en ons moet goeie besluite neem in die losgemaal. Ons moet ons vaste fassette wen, asook vashou aan die bal en seker maak dat ons die bal in die hand het en dat ons die bal beskerm. Ek wil graag sien dat ons ontslae raak van die ‘sagte’ oomblikke van verlede week. Ons het ‘n paar baie sagte/maklike drieë weggegee. Daar was baie individuele foute in die vorige wedstryd en ons moet meer akkuraat wees in ons uitvoering,” het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Met betrekking tot die span van Namibië, het die afrigter, Janse van Rensburg, gesê die Steval Pumas moet dit nie maklik maak vir hul opponente om te oorleef nie.
“Namibië is ‘n span wat oorleef op omsetballe. Hulle behaal 40% van hul drieë van omsetballe. Ons moet seker maak dat ons onsself nie onder druk sit wanneer ons die bal in die hand het nie. As ons die bal in die hand het, moet ons dit hou en nie broodkrummels laat val vir hulle om op te oorleef nie,” het hy gesê. Daar was geen groot veranderinge aan die span gemaak hierdie week nie, behalwe die uitsluiting van losvoorspeler Reuben Johannes, wat ses maande lank met ‘n skouerbesering van die veld af is.
Janse van Rensburg het gesê die span is vol vertroue vir die naweek se wedstryd.
“Dit gaan alles oor ons om tot ons volle potensiaal te speel en elke week te verbeter. Vir dit om te gebeur moet ons geestelik en fisies in die spel wees en onsself ten volle in die wedstryd belê. Ons moet Namibië genoeg respek gee. Dit is baie belangrik dat ons, ons potensiaal kan uitspeel en dat ons hierdie week akkuraat is,” het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Hierdie naweek sal Jannie Stander en Kwezi Mona hul eerste SuperSport-wedstryd in 2017 speel en Johann Grundling maak sy debuut as ‘n reserwe in die Steval Puma groep van 22. Verder sal Brian Shabangu die beseerde Reuben Johannes in die opdraf 15 vervang, en Hennie Skorbinski is weer die kaptein van die span.
Die wedstryd teen die Welwitschias skop om 13:00 af. Hou ‘n ogie op die Steval Pumas Facebook-bladsy en Twitter voer vir lewendige telling opdaterings van die spel.
19 Utility Forward GRUNDLINGH JOHAN
22 Utility back HELBERG DEON