This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Tuesday 15
Wednesday 16
Thursday 17
Friday 18
Saturday 19
Sunday 20
Monday 21
Tuesday 22
Wednesday 23
Thursday 24
Friday 25

Lions vs Pumas Preview & Tips - Lions to secure the points against the Pumas

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 18 Jan 2022

Share

Ralph Staniforth 18 Jan 2022

Share this article

Sigma Lions vs New Nation Pumas Currie Cup match predictions
The fixture is being played at 15:30 SAST on Wednesday at Emirates Airlines Park
The Lions lost to Western Province last weekend
The Pumas lost to the Bulls last Friday
Preview, tips, stats and team news

Expired

Lions backed to continue home record against Pumas (Getty Images)

Lions vs Pumas Preview

The Lions showed their ability to score tries last weekend, and a more disciplined team effort should see them edge the Pumas in Johannesburg.

Lions vs Pumas Preview
Head to Head
Lions Form
Lions Team News & Injuries
Pumas Form
Pumas Team News & Injuries
Lions vs Pumas Live Stream FAQ

Lions have won 4 of their last 5 home matches against the Pumas.
Pumas won one and drew two of their away games last season.
Pumas beat the Lions home and away last season.

Head to Head

The Lions have a 6-4 lead over the Pumas from 10 previous Currie Cup rugby matches.

The two sides met three times last year, with the Pumas winning 39-10 and 36-33, whilst the Lions won 33-25 in January 2021.

Lions Form

The Lions were defeated by Western Province 36-48 at Newlands in their opening round fixture of the Carling Currie Cup.

The Lions side lost to the Pumas by three points 33-36 at home last season. Before that loss, the Lions had defeated the Pumas four games in a row at home.

There have been less than 10 points between the Lions and Pumas in five of the seven previous matches.

The Lions let themselves down last weekend through ill-discipline, and an improvement will be required to see them beat the Pumas on Wednesday.

Lions Team News & Injuries

Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi would not have been pleased with his team conceding so many penalties last Saturday, and he will demand a better performance against the Pumas.

Five changes have been made to the team. Tyler Bocks, Manuel Rass, Ginter Sumts, Lunga Ncube, Sibusiso Sangweni and Morne Brandon all start.

Simon Dionisio is out through injury.

15 Quan Horn, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Zeilinga Strydom, 10 Vaughen Isaacs, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Lunga Ncube, 4 PJ Steenkamp, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (captain), 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Banele Mthenjane.

Substitutes: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 Sibusiso Shongwe, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 James Tedder, 23 James Mollentze.

Pumas Form

According to Coach Stonehouse, the Pumas put in their worst performance in two years when they went down 19-33 to the Bulls last Friday. They conceded four tries in the match.

Although the Pumas don't have the best away record against the Lions, the narrow 36-33 victory last season should remind them that they can grab the points on offer on Wednesday.

The Pumas team would have noted that the Lions leaked tries in Cape Town, including their lack of discipline, which should give them a chance to pick up their first win of the season.

Pumas Team News & Injuries

Coach Jimmy Stonehouse has made six changes to the team that lost to the Bulls.

In come Ali Mgjima, Kwanda Dimaza, Phumzile Maqondwana (captain), Malembe Mpofu, Ruan Kramer and Corne Fourie switches to hooker.

Willie Engelbrecht and Shane Kirkwood are both out through injury.

15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Sebastain de Klerk, 12 Ali Mgjima, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Thinus de Beer, 9 Lucky Dlepu, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana (captain), 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Ruan Kramer.

Substitutes: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Simon Raw, 19, Brandon Valentyne, 20 Kwezi Mafu, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Alwayno Visagie, 23 Andries Viljoen.

Lions vs Pumas Live Stream FAQ

Where can I watch Lions vs Pumas live stream?

Check our live streaming calendar to see where to watch Lions vs Pumas live stream

Verdict

Lions v Pumas

The Lions and Pumas were poor at the weekend so this is a crucial match for both. I'm backing the Lions to make home advantage count by covering the -4 handicap.

Lions -4 Handicap

Handicap

@5/6 - 4 Units

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets