Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse is adamant that his workforce can take down the Cheetahs in subsequent weekend’s Currie Cup last in Bloemfontein.
The Pumas and the Cheetahs will sq. off in the Currie Cup grand finale, after the groups from Mpumalanga and the Free State received their respective semi-finals this weekend.
The Cheetahs beat the Bulls by 39-10 on Saturday to safe residence benefit for the title-deciding match, whereas the Pumas earned the correct to defend their crown courtesy of a shock 26-20 win over the Sharks in the second playoff, staged in Durban.
WATCH: Currie Cup highlights — Plucky Pumas shock Sharks
STONEHOUSE KEEN TO RETAIN CURRIE CUP TITLE
But the celebrations are barely over and Pumas boss Stonehouse has already turned his consideration to their showdown in opposition to the Cheetahs.
“We’ve got the belief to win, and it doesn’t matter if it’s home or away,” he mentioned.
“It’s simply the supporters and spectators that don’t give us an opportunity, as a result of we’re a small union. But we come in week in and week out and play an excellent model of rugby, and it’s simply wonderful.
“It’s about displaying on the market that we belong someplace.
“I apply and preach this with the gamers and I inform them that if the Pumas win, they are going to go someplace. If they’ve a perception that they’re good and need to do stuff on their very own, they are going to go nowhere.
“I think that’s the greatest thing. At the end of this season Tinus de Beer is going to Wales, Ali Mgijima is going to the Cheetahs, Diego Appollis to the Sharks … everybody is going, just like last year.”
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HISTORY BECKONS FOR PUMAS
Stonehouse spoke fondly and appreciatively of the work ethic of his gamers, saying they deserved their shot at making historical past once more.
“I think it’s the toughness. We really train hard, but it’s also the discipline,” he mentioned.
“It’s robust for the fellows generally on the Pumas, and what we’re doing right here is to say to SA Rugby: ‘Just give us an opportunity’.
“We can’t play URC or these competitions as a result of we don’t have the cash, however simply give us one thing – one other competitors – in order that we don’t have one other seven months of pre-season and in order that we can get one other sponsor to speculate in us.
“That’s what we’re trying to create.”
ALSO READ: Pumas edge Sharks to ebook Currie Cup last spot
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