Unbeaten Pumas looking to silence fierce Griquas
The iCOLLEGE Pumas look to stay unbeaten this weekend and clinch their first ever trophy in this edition of the Rugby Challenge. However, the fierce Tafel Lager Griquas are planning an upset.
MBOMBELA – It will be a dog-eat-dog affair when the unbeaten iCOLLEGE Pumas square off with the fierce Tafel Lager Griquas on Sunday’s SuperSport Rugby Challenge final.
Not to be eclipsed by the Soccer World Cup final, the Mpumalanga cats earned their right to the final after they walloped the Cell C Sharks XV 30-17, last Friday at Mbombela Stadium. Meanwhile, the Northern Cape outfit convincingly beat the Toyota Free State XV 27-14, in a thriller held last Saturday to earn their berth in this year’s finals.
iCOLLEGE Pumas
According to Marius Van Rensburg, the Pumas’ operation manager, the team is heading to the final with an injury-free side. He commented that the “whole team is available for selection”, and added that the unbeaten side is physically and mentally ready for what’s sure to be a grueling game.
The curt manager echoed a similar sentiment to the team’s head coach, Brent Van Rensburg, when he said the team will not let their faultless record breed complacency. He mentioned that the mood of the Mpumalanga camp is “very good”, further adding that, “we did very well this season, with few issues.”
Interestingly, no words of encouragement were shared with the unbeaten side, as the manager commented that, “when we play them (Griquas), there’s no need for motivation. Its always a hot match-up.”
Indeed it will be a hot match up, as this year marks the second time the Griquas have made it to the finals. The team will be weary of the Griquas experience, as they will be looking to redeem themselves from last year’s loss to the Western Province.
However, the Pumas side bring with them a perfect record, which Van Rensburg chalks up to “consistency and a general family environment in the team.” Plus it helps if you have Marko v Rensburg bullying teams with his physicality and Chris Smith converting everything that comes his way. The final will be played at the Bridgton Sports Ground in Oudtshoorn, this Sunday.
Catch the final on SuperSport 1, at 13:00pm this Sunday.
