Pumas ring the changes

Nelspruit - Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has rung the changes for his side's crucial Currie Cup clash against Western Province in Nelspruit on Friday.

"Each player knows what awaits us, and we've really done well so far," Stonehouse said at the team announcement on Tuesday.

"If we want a semi-final spot we have to win this match, and although it is Western Province, we are lucky it is at home."

Stonehouse made seven changes to the side that went down 29-15 to the Golden Lions over the weekend.

Three changes were made to the pack, with hooker Frankie Herne earning a starting berth in place of Francois du Toit.

Openside flanker Uzair Cassiem shifts to the bench, with Jaco Bouwer selected in the run-on side, while lock Marius Coetzer will replace Frikkie Spies.

In the backline, Reynier van Rooyen will once again rotate with Dylon Frylinck, who moves to the bench.

JC Roos has been given the number-10 jersey, with Justin van Staden named as a replacement.

Ruwellyn Isbell replaces Jerome Pretorius on the wing, while JW Bell has been named at fullback at the expense of Coenie van Wyk.

The Pumas were still sweating over the availability of inspirational eighthman Renaldo Bothma, who needs to pass a late fitness test on Thursday.

Teams:

Pumas:
15 JW Bell, 14 Ruwellyn Isbell, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 JC Roos, 9 Reynier van Rooyen, 8 Renaldo Bothma/RW Kember, 7 Jaco Bouwer, 6 Corne Steenkamp (captain), 5 Giant Mtyanda, 4 Marius Coetzer, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Frankie Herne, 1 Corne Fourie

Substitutes: 16 Francois du Toit, 17 DeJay Terblanche, 18 Uzair Cassiem, 19 RW Kember/Doppies le Roux, 20 Dylon Frylinck, 21 Justin van Staden, 22 Jerome Pretorius

Western Province:
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Justin Geduld, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Alistair Vermaak

Substitutes: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Manuel Carizza, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Michael van der Spuy