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Stegmann needs top form

J.J. Harmse

Pretoria – Just how successful Deon Stegmann was as a fetching flanker in his four Tests for the Springboks in November, was one of the big talking points around braai fires over the Festive Season.

Whatever the judgement, Stegmann will have to be on top of his game again on Saturday when the Bulls play a Pumas XV at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The Bulls’ opponents were initially going to be a Premier XV, but now appear to be a full Pumas team, with coach Jimmy Stonehouse picking Jaco Bouwer and captain Corné Steenkamp as fetching flanks.

Stegmann will have to be at his best early on, as the two Puma flanks dovetail very well.

Stonehouse is without Doppies le Roux and Pellow van der Westhuizen, as the eighthman is struggling with a knee injury, and the hooker with a calf. Eduan van der Walt has been picked at No 8.

Hans van Dyk, who helped the Bulls against the Kings at the weekend, will now play hooker against those same team-mates.

The Pumas have made a few good buys in the off-season, and Stonehouse has picked a few of them for the match.

JW Jonker and Dewald Pretorius, who come from the Cheetahs and Griquas, and two former Maties - Wilhelm Loock and Coenie van Wyk - are all playing.

Loock earned rave reviews at Maties for his performances on the wing.
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