Victory is vital as Pumas face Griffions tonight

The Phakisa Pumas will tonight play in one of their most important games since their inception 50 years ago. It’s do or die time.
They will face the top South African team on the Currie Cup first division log, the Down Touch Griffons.

Pumas fans can prepare themselves for a vital home match, the one which will decide in which division the team will play in next season.
At the end of the day, the team which is the hungriest will take the spoils.

Also read: Jimmy Stonehouse maak sy hart oop oor ISG

The Pumas face relegation after their hopes to end their 2019 Currie Cup campaign on a high note, ended in a 43-37 loss to the Toyota Cheetahs. It was a disappointing end to a dismal Currie Cup campaign for the Mpumalanga team. They won one of their six matches, a 27-20 victory over the Cell C Sharks at home on August 3.

The Pumas finished bottom of the log. They conceded 208 points in six games, an average of 35 per match. In their six matches the Pumas scored 161 points.

Coach Jimmy Stonehouse said a win is vital. “If we lose it will be a massive setback for the team. We had to work incredibly hard to reach the premier division,” said Stonehouse.
October 23, 2013 was a night of heroes when the Pumas grabbed their destiny in their own hands and lifted their game in the second half to beat Griquas and claim a deserved place in the Currie Cup Premier Division.

The Pumas won 33-15 and outscored Griquas three tries to none. This game will be of equal importance. They will need to play the best 80 of rugby they played all season.

For several players, this will also be the last time they represent Mpumalanga on the field.
Ashlon Davids and Andrew Beerwinkel will soon play for the Griquas, Chris Smith for the Blue Bulls and Corniel Els has already joined the Bulls.

Jeandre Rudolph will take the reigns as Ryan Nell has not yet recovered from his injury.
Kick-off will be at 17:00 and tickets are available at the ticket office at R40 for adults and R10 for children.

Here are the teams:

Pumas
1. Morgan Naudé
2. Marko Janse van Rensburg
3. Marné Coetzee
4. Le Roux Roets
5. Stefan Willemse
6. Jeandre Rudolph
7. Carel du Preez
8. Willie Engelbrecht
9. Ashlon Davids
10. Chris Smith
11. Luther Obi
12. Henko Marais
13. Alwayno Visagie
14. Morne Joubert
15. Devon Williams
16. Simon Westraad
17. De-Jay Terblanche
18. Hilton Lobberts
19. Phumzile Maqondwana
20. Ginter Smuts
21. Japie Kleinhans
22. Ngonidzashe Chidoma

Griffons
1. Quintin Vorster
2. Anrich Alberts
3. Doctor Booysen
4. Sibabalo Qoma
5. Vincent Maruping
6. Thato Mavundla
7. Jean Pretorius
8. Cody Basson
9. Ethan Williams
10. Robbie Petzer
11. Allistar Mumba
12. Arthur Williams
13. Danrich Visagie
14. Duncan van Vuuren
15. Domenic Smit
16. Chadley Wenn
17. Barend Potgieter
18. Neo Mohapi
19. Nofuma Nkosikhona
20. Ludio Williams
21. Jaywinn Juries
22. Mario Wilson.