MJ Mentz – Pumas head coach
MJ Mentz has been handed the reigns for the Pumas in their upcoming Vodacom Cup campaign and the coach is looking to keep a similar system going.
The Pumas enjoyed a successful year in 2014 as they toppled some of the bigger teams in the Currie Cup through their gritty determination.
“The secret to our success this year will certainly lie in our communication skills and a shared goal,” Mentz said.
The new coach also said the last two years coaching under the mentorship of coach Jimmy Stonehouse was a great stepping-stone in his coaching career.
The way Stonehouse maintained discipline in the squad was a huge encouragement and now Mentz would like to add his way to the existing system.
“I think myself and Jimmy shared the same goals and this is, that small things in the sport do matter, he went on.
“Although players might think that the basic drills are boring, they do add to any player’s skill development.
“This appointment is a huge responsibility on my shoulders, but luckily I know I have the support of the team, which makes the job easier.
“I feel my biggest challenge will be to preserve the discipline levels Jimmy has set, but obviously with my and Cornés’ ways carved into it.”
The Pumas squad was also announced Monday with a few players included that were still recovering from injuries.
Uzair Cassiem is recovering from a burst elbow bursa operation. He’ll see the specialist for final clearance, while Simon Westraadt and Hennie Skorbinski are both recovering from patella tendonitis injuries.
Currie Cup captain Jaco Bouwer is recovering from a groin operation late in November, while Justin van Staden recovers from his shoulder injury after a vehicle accident earlier the year along with Jerome Pretorius who has a deep cut in his right heel after the vehicle accident.
Pumas Squad: John-Wessel Bel, Bernado Botha, Jaco Bouwer, JJ Breet, Uzair Cassiem, Marius Coetzer, Francois du Toit, Jason Colin Fraser, Lambert Groenewald, Johan Herbst, Frank Herne, Ruwellyn Isbell, Marco Kruger, Wilmaure Louw, Hoffman Maritz, Rudi Mathee, Jacques Momberg, Khwezi Mona, Sabelo Nhlapo, Sinovuyo Nyoka, Dewald Pretorius, Juan-Claude Roos, Marcello Sampson, Marnus Schoeman, Brian Shabangu, Pule Sibiya, Hennie Skorbinski, Frikkie Spies, Jannie Stander, Heinrich Steyl, De-Jay Terblanché, Drew van Coller, Eduan van der Walt, Reynier van Rooyen, Justin van Staden, Simon Westraadt.