Defending Currie Cup champions Western Province have not forgotten about the 22-12 defeat they suffered at the hands of the Pumas in last year’s competition.
And after beating the Free State Cheetahs 32-0 at Newlands last weekend, coach John Dobson knows the Pumas won’t make it easy for them on Friday.
Dobson says: “We know that it is going to be a completely different game, the Pumas are an outlier in South African rugby in terms of how they play.
“Memories of last year in Nelspruit will serve us in good stead, we know it is a completely different challenge, the conditions and how they play.”
One aspect that pleased Dobson was his team’s tactical approach in the wet weather and also how well they put the Cheetahs under pressure.
With lock Salmaan Moerat being the only injury concern after the game after he suffered a blow to the head, it is expected that regular captain and lock Chris van Zyl will be fit for their trip to Nelspruit on Friday.
Of their lineouts and tactical kicking, Dobson adds: “We were tactically very good and our ball security in those conditions was commendable.
“The guys made really good decisions in contact.
“I thought Josh [Stander] and SP Marais were outstanding with their kicking game.
“I think one of the great elements of our performance was our contesting, we put their lineout under a lot of pressure."