The Pumas will have a new captain as they look for their first win of the Currie Cup season, when they tackle the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Regular captain Corné Steenkamp has been ruled out with a knee injury and midfielder JW Jonker taking over the leadership of the team.

Apart from Steenkamp there are a number of injury-enforced changes to the Pumas team who have five bonus points from five defeats – meaning they have been close every week without getting the win.

Marius Coetzer has been ruled out with a hand injury and Shaun Venter – who was concussed in a vicious tackle by Blue Bulls centre Wynand Olivier last week – will also miss the trip to Bloemfontein.

Tian Meyer has been moved from centre to scrumhalf, with Tiaan Marx starting in the No.12 jersey.

The other backline changes sees Johan Jackson starting on the wing in place of Deon Scholtz, who has been struggling with an ankle niggler and will be on the bench.

Up front Reginald starts on the flank in place of Steenkamp, with Rudi Matthee at lock in place of the other injured star, Coetzer.

Changes to the front row will see Dee-Jay Terblanche take over from Dawie Steyn, with Torsten van Jaarsveld ahead of Marthinus van der Westhuizen at hooker.

Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse admitted his team is desperate to end their run of close defeats.

“If we can just pull the first one through, the season will change,” Stonehouse told this website.

The coach spoke of a host of small errors that are costing the team and said he is confident the forwards will be able to match the mighty Cheetahs pack.

Pumas: 15 Carl Bezuidenhout, 14 Johan Jackson, 13 JW Jonker (captain), 12 Tiaan Marx, 11 MJ Mentz, 10 Ricardo Croy, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Doppies le Roux, 7 Reginald Kember, 6 Jaco Bouwer, 5 Eduan van der Walt, 4 Rudi Matthee, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Dee-Jay Terblanche.
Replacements: 16 Marthinus van der Westhuizen, 17 Dawie Steyn, 18 Willem Serfontein, 19 JP Mostert, 20 Hendrik van der Nest, 21 Siviwe Magaba, 22 Deon Scholtz.

Date: Saturday, August 20
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Pro Legoete
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, De Goede Haasbroek
TMO: JC Fortuin

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