The Pumas host the Sharks in this weekend’s Currie Cup acton kicking off on Friday the 8th of September.
Pumas v Sharks | Friday 8 September | Nelspruit | 17:00
To Win (80min)
Pumas 5/2 | Draw 20/1 | Sharks 1/3 * Expected Odds
The Sharks went top of the Currie Cup Premier Division log after a 45-15 drubbing of the Cheetahs. Curwin Bosch returns to the team after he was left out of the Australian Bok touring squad following the return of Handre Pollard. The youngster will have picked up invaluable experience at the Springbok camp which he will look to implement at a franchise level. The Sharks have won six from their seven matches, scoring 33 tries in the process.
The Pumas narrowly lost 29 – 28 last weekend as they were outscored by one try against the Lions. The Pumas are improving their form during this campaign winning three of their seven matches. A strong showing is needed to beat the Sharks in this return home leg.
Pumas
15 Justin van Staden, 14 JP Lewis, 12 Jerome Pretorius, 12 Hennie Skorbinski (captain), 11 Ruwellyn Isbell, 10 Kobus Marais, 9 Reynier van Rooyen, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Stefan Willemse, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Mark Pretorius, 1 De-Jay Terblanche
Substitutes: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Brian Shabangu, 20 Theo Mare, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Devon Williams
Sharks
15 Garth April, 14 Tythan Adams, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Sibusiso Nkosi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Thomas du Toit
Substitutes: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Jean Droste, 19 Wian Vosloo, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Marius Louw, 22 Rhyno Smith
Verdict: Sharks 1/3 * Expected Odds
This Sharks side oozes quality and will prove too strong for the Pumas. Back on the Sharks to win this second leg and possibly extend their lead at the top of the standings.
