The Pumas will be looking to make it back-to-back Currie Cup wins when they play host to Western Province on Friday the 31st of August.
The Pumas will be keen to build on their impressive Round 1 victory over the Griquas when they take on a Western Province side that also got their campaign off to a solid start, as they claimed a bonus point victory over the Cheetahs last Saturday.
Pumas v Western Province
Friday 31st August
Mbombela Stadium
19:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Pumas 31/20
Draw 28/1
Western Province 5/10
Handicap
Pumas (+5) 9/10 *
Western Province (-5) 9/10
Pumas
The men from Nelspruit got their 2018 campaign off to a cracking start as they claimed a 42-19 bonus point victory over the Griquas on the opening day. They were highly entertaining with ball-in-hand. And while they did slip a few tackles, their defensive structure looked rather good.
Western Province will prove a much tougher challenge than that of the Griquas, however, and the Pumas will need to up their game further if they are to cause an upset. One area they will have to work on this week is their rolling maul defence as Western Province tore the Cheetahs apart at the lineout last Saturday.
Western Province
I have to admit that I was mightily impressed with Western Province’s opening performance. Yes, the wet conditions did suit their game down to a tee, with their forward pack absolutely destroying the Cheetahs’ pack, but it still took an almighty effort to score 32 points in what were atrocious conditions.
I can see Western Province taking a very similar approach to this one as they did during last week’s clash. They look to build momentum through their forward pack and then when the Pumas defence is stretched, they’ll look to spread the ball to their exciting backline.
Verdict: Pumas (+5) 9/10 *
The Pumas have been a tough nut to crack t home in recent years and I can see them frustrating this talented Western Province side on Friday evening.
*Please not forecast handicaps
