The Steval Pumas dramatic comeback to secure a 37 / 37 draw against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs came at a cost, as no less than 6 players picked up a few niggles.
According to the team physiotherapist, Luzahn Louw, 5 forwards and 1 backline player will be re-assessed during the week to determine their availability for the Pumas’ final Currie Cup match against the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Nelspruit on Friday.
Fullback JW Bell will undergo a sonar scan on the same hamstring he injured 2 weeks ago while loose forward Jaco Bower will have to wait for x-rays to determine whether or not he has broken his cheek bone.
Fellow loose forwards Uzair Cassiem (neck spasm strain) and Jason-Colin Fraser (quad contusion) are also on the injury list. Joining them are lock Marius Coetzer, who damaged knee cartilage and picked up a hamstring strain, as well as Springbok prop Vincent Koch, who a picked up a knee contusion.
Pumas coach MJ Mentz sees these injuries as nothing serious but will wait until later in the week before he rules out any players.
“At this stage, there are no major injuries that we know of but we will know for certain later in the week,” Mentz said.
There is some positive news for the Nelspruit-based side as hooker Jacques Momberg returns to training after recovering from a broken thumb.
The Steval Pumas host the Vodacom Blue Bulls in their final match of the competition and Mentz feels it is the perfect occasion to end their campaign off on a high note.
“We are really looking forward to the final week, we want to end the season on a very high note. We could not have asked for a better challenge than the Bulls on our home ground, so we know it’s a massive match that awaits us.
“We are very positive about it and believe we can walk away with the victory,” he stated.
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