Corné Steenkamp has put his retirement on hold and will lead the Pumas in a pre-season friendly against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Steenkamp initially announced last year that he would call it a day after almost 150 first class game for the Pumas.
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However, he decided to help the Nelspruit-based outfit after they regained their Currie Cup status by beating Griquas in a two-match promotion-relegation series late last year.
Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse named two newcomers in his side – scrumhalf Sinovuyo Nyoka and prop Sabelo Nhlapo.
Vincent Koch, Frankie Herne and Marcello Sampson are not available due to injury, while four others – Corne Fourie, Rudi Matthee, Stefan Watermeyer and Francois de Klerk – are on duty with the Lions Super Rugby outfit.
Pumas: 15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 Jerome Pretorius, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Dewald Pretorius, 11 Deon Scholtz, 10 JC Roos, 9 Sinovuyo Nyoka, 8 RW Kember, 7 Renaldo Bothma, 6 Corné Steenkamp (captain), 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 3 Drew van Coller, 2 Jacques Momberg, 1 Sabelo Nhlapo.
Replacements – from: Dee-Jay Terblanche, Stephan Kotzé, Christo le Roux, Uzair Cassiem, Jaco Bouwer, Reynier van Rooyen, Justin van Staden, Ashwin Scott.
Date: Saturday 1 February
Venue: Old Greys Sports Grounds, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT)
Referee: Lesego Legoete
Now there are 2 players in this Pumas side I would not have minded seeing in the Bulls Super Rugby squad… Coenie van Wyk for fullback and JC Roos for flyhalf.
Yes, they are good players. This will be a good test for the Cheetahs. The Pumas are well drilled, and play an enterprising brand of rugby. Solid pack with good good loosies. Bouwer, Doppies, and Steenkamp will be a handful.
Wondered why the prop Sabelo Nhlapo’s name rang a bell, so had a look and its because he played for Tukkies in 2012 and 2013 Varisty Cup that his name was familiar to me and before that he was with the Sharks, saw he also played junior rugby for South Africa.
3 @ Bullscot:
He did not impress me much for Tuks in the Varsity Cup. I remember hoping for him not to start or come on as a sub at stages.
But maybe Jimmy Stonehouse managed to get more out of him, like he has done with so many other players.
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