Deon Stegmann
Vodacom Blue Bulls openside flanker Deon Stegmann returns to the starting line-up to take on the Steval Pumas in the Mbombela Stadium on Friday.
Stegmann was a late withdrawal from the team that beat the EP Kings at Loftus Versfeld last weekend. That prompted the call-up of Clyde Davids to the bench and Jacques du Plessis moving to the flank, but with Stegmann fit again, it is back to the regular starting pack for the match in Nelspruit.
Du Plessis and Marvin Orie will start at lock, with RG Snyman dropping back to the bench in place of Davids.
“This is our last match before the play-offs, so we need to confirm the momentum and rhythm we want to take into the knock-out stage. I am happy that we could select a strong team for this match against a very capable opponent,” Marais said.
“We are probably playing our toughest match of the year. The Pumas at home, on a very hot afternoon, can be a very taxing encounter. We are going to need great individual performances, but also a massive team effort to bring this one home. We dare not look past this match to the play-offs, as we need to grow as a team and continue our upward curve in the competition.”
Vodacom Blue Bulls captain, Lappies Labuschagne, feels that the home side was unlucky in a number of matches this year and could easily have been part of the play-offs. “The Pumas are a dangerous opponent, full stop. They have a solid pack and that enables their backs to prosper. We will need to win this one upfront, if we want to secure a win. It is going to be tough, but we would not want it any other way.”
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Lappies Labuschagne (Captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Steenkamp, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 William Small-Smith.
Date: Friday 9 October
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-Off: 18:00 SA Time (16:00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Jaco Pretorius
TMO: Willie Vos
Die Vodacom Blou Bulle se oopkant flank, Deon Stegmann is terug in die beginspan om Vrydag in die Mbombela Stadion in Nelspruit teen die Steval Pumas in ABSA se Curriebekerkompetisie te speel.
Stegmann het hom kort voor die Kings stryd weens siekte onttrek, maar is weer fiks.
Daardie onttrekking het veroorsaak dat Jacques du Plessis gaan flank speel het en Clyde Davids op die reserwebank diens gedoen het, maar met Stegmann nou weer fiks, is die natuurlike orde herstel.
Du Plessis keer terug na slot, met RG Snyman wat weer bank toe skuif in Davids se plek. Die res van die span is onveranderd.
“Dit is ons laaste wedstryd voor die uitspeelrondte, so ons moet momentum en ritme vasmaak in ons eindpoging. Ek is tevrede dat ons ‘n sterk span kon kies teen ‘n baie gedugte teenstander,” het Marais laat blyk.
“Dit gaan seker ons strafste wedstryd van die jaar wees. Die Pumas tuis, op ‘n warm dag in die Laeveld kan ‘n taai toffie raak. Indiwiduele uitblinkers sal gaaf wees, maar eerstens sal hierdie een ‘n geweldige spanpoging verg. Ons kan nie verby die wedstryd kyk na die uitspeel nie, want ons moet verby hierdie een kom sonder dat ons spoed gebreek word.”
Die Vodacom Blou Bulle se kaptein, Lappies Labuschagne, voel die tuisspan was ongelukkig om nie vanjaar in die uitspeelrondtes te wees nie. “Die Pumas is ‘n gevaarlike span en kan enige ander span op die dag klop. Hulle het ‘n lekker pak voorspelers en dit laat hulle agterlyn met vryheid speel. Ons sal hierdie een voorlangs moet beheer as ons wil wen. Dit gaan taai wees, maar ons sal dit nie anders wil he nie.”
Vodacom Blou Bulle: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Lappies Labuschagne (Kaptein), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Plaasvervangers: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Steenkamp, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 William Small-Smith.
Datum: Vrydag 9 Oktober
Plek: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Afskop: 18:00 SA Tyd (16:00 GMT)
Skeidsregter: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistent Skeidsregters: Cwengile Jadezweni, Jaco Pretorius
TWB: Willie Vos