Even though they’ve lost all three their Absa Currie Cup Premier Division matches to date, the Ford Pumas are higher on the log than the Vodacom Blue Bulls, by virtue of a better points’ difference.
And after having come very close to victory in all three their previous matches, the Ford Pumas will be anxious to get that first win of the season on the board.
Last year they won both games against the Platinum Leopards, which could point to the team from Mpumalanga being favourites for this match, but they will be mindful of the North Westerners’ performance in Johannesburg last week.
The Platinum Leopards might have been on the wrong side of the stick in their first two Absa Currie Cup games in 2011, but at Coca-Cola Park they played much better, and with 10 minutes to go were still drawn on the score board with the MTN Golden Lions.
“Yes, the Leopards were not great in their first two games, but against the Golden Lions last week they really played very well and will be ready for us with their tails up,” said Ford Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse.
“We were disappointed with our first half performance against Griquas last week, but came back strongly in the second half and that’s what I’d like to see in Potch this weekend. We have not shifted our focus at all and still believe we can win if we’re at our best and we do what we’re supposed to for the full 80 minutes.”
Last year in Absa Currie Cup:
- 17 July: Ford Pumas won 37-32 in Witbank
- 3 September: Ford Pumas won 27-26 in Potchefstroom
Your Weekend’s Rugby:
- 5 August: Valke vs EP Kings, kick-off at 15:00 at Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park. Referee – Andrew Lees (Australia)
- 5 August: Platinum Leopards vs Ford Pumas, kick-off at 19:00 at Profert Olën Park, Potchefstroom. Referee – Lourens vd Merwe
- 5 August: GWK Griquas vs The Sharks, kick-off at 19:10 at GWK Park, Kimberley. Referee – Pro Legoete
- 6 August: Tasol Solar Griffons vs SWD Eagles, kick-off at 15:00 at North West Stadium, Welkom. Referee – Jason Jaftha
- 6 August: Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs DHL Western Province, kick-off at 15:00 at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Referee – Sindile Mayende
- 6 August: Vodacom Blue Bulls vs MTN Golden Lions, kick-off: 17:05 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Referee – Jaco Peyper
