The Steval Pumas have signed a total of 13 new players in a bid to become a stronger and more competitive team in the 2016 season.
MJ Mentz has also been reappointed the head coach of team on a 2 year term and will be assisted by Marius van Rensburg (operations Manager), Luzahn Louw (physiotherapist), Robin Arkell (strength and conditioning), Tobias van Niekerk (conditioning) and Ernst Kruger (assistant performance analyst).
The Pumas’ new contracted players:
Stephan Greeff (ORC Griquas), Nardus van der Walt (ORC Griquas), Francois Brummer (ORC Griquas), Hugo Kloppers (ORC Griquas), Tyler Fischer (Cell C Sharks), Marné Coetzee (Cell C Sharks), Chris Cloete (DHL Western Province), Emil Temperman (UP-TUKS), Lambert Groenewald (Xerox Golden Lions), Ruben Johannes (SA Sevens), Dylan Petersen (UJ) and Deon Helberg (Xerox Golden Lions). Marlo van Niekerk is on loan from the EP Kings.
They also have 2 players on dual contracts. They are Vincent Koch (DHL Stormers and Steval Pumas) and Renaldo Bothma (Cell C Sharks and Steval Pumas)
“As management we were happy with the performance of Mentz as the head Coach during the 2015 season and although the Pumas was under pressure several times during the 2015 season he still showed he is a team player who believes in the growth of the Pumas brand and who as a young coach shows huge potential,” said Mpumalanga Rugby Union CEO Pieter Burger.
“We also believe in promoting and developing our own talent. Currently there are 2 positions still being recruited for, that of a forward coach and senior performance analyst / defence coach.
The Steval Pumas have also managed to hold onto a core group of players that shone during the 2015 season. They include Khwezi Mona, Sabelo Nhlapo, De-Jay Terblanché, Frank Herne, Simon Westraadt, Francois du Toit, Rudi Mathee, Giant Mtyanda, Jannie Stander, Marnus Schoeman, Brian Shabangu, Reynier van Rooyen, Johan Herbst, Justin van Staden, Wilmaure Louw, Hennie Skorbinski, Bernado Botha, Heinrich Steyl, Hoffmann Maritz, Ruwellyn Isbell and Marcello Sampson.
rugby365