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Pumas vs Bulls Predictions & Tips - Bulls to tame the Pumas in Mbombela

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 13 Jan 2022

Ralph Staniforth 13 Jan 2022

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New Nation Pumas vs Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup match predictions
The fixture is being played at 19:00 SAST on Friday at the Mbombela Stadium
Pumas finished 5th in the competition last season
Can the Bulls get off to a winning start?
Preview, tips, stats and team news

Expired

Bulls backed to get season off to a winning start (Getty Images)

Pumas vs Bulls Preview & Tips

The Bulls kick off their defence of the Currie Cup with an opening-round match against the Pumas in Nelspruit.

Pumas vs Bulls Preview & Tips
Head to Head
Pumas Form
Pumas Team News & Injuries
Bulls Form
Bulls Team News & Injuries
Pumas vs Bulls FAQ

Pumas won 3 of their 5 home matches last season.
Bulls won all 3 of their away games last season.
Bulls beat the Pumas home and away last season.

Head to Head

The Bulls lead 7-3 in their last 10 Currie Cup rugby matches against the Pumas.

The two teams clashed three times last year, with the Bulls securing wins of 33-26 and 32-27, whilst the Pumas ran out 44-14 victors in January 2021.

Pumas Form

The Pumas just missed out on a semi-final birth last season by a single point when they could only manage a 13-13 draw with Griquas in the final round of qualifying matches.

The Pumas finished 5th on the Carling Currie Cup log with 34 points from 12 matches, with four wins, four losses and four draws. They scored 33 tries and conceded 32.

The last time the two sides met at the Mbombela stadium, the Bulls edged it 33-26

However, the score might not be as close this time as many players have recently parted ways with the franchise, so the new Pumas line-up might struggle to keep in touch with a very experienced Bulls team on Friday.

Pumas Team News & Injuries

Coach Jimmy Stonehouse will field a new side this season after 10 players have departed.

Tinus de Beer has joined the Pumas from the Griquas, as has scrumhalf Lucky Dlepu from the Sharks and Njabula Gumede from the Valke.

Robbie Petzer, who has been playing Major League Rugby the past few seasons, has also been signed.

Simon Raw, winger Lundi Msenge and lock Malembe Mpofu have all earned call cups from their performances in the Varsity Cup.

Willie Englebrecht, who was on loan to the Stormers last season, returns as captain of the side.

Fly-half Eddie Fouche also returns to the squad after being on loan to the Lions.

Bulls Form

The Vodacom Bulls were the dominant force in last years competition, which saw them win their second consecutive Carling Currie Cup.

The Blue Bulls finished top of the standings on 49 points from 12 games, with 7 victories, two losses and three draws. They were the top try scorers in the competition with 49, whilst they conceded 30.

They beat Western Province 48-31 in the semi-final and then dispatched the Sharks convincingly 44-10 in the Currie Cup final.

There has been less than 10 points between the Pumas and Bulls on four of the five previous matches.

However, the Bulls are virtually the same side that won the Currie Cup last year and will fancy their chances of a convincing win against a new Pumas team.

Bulls Team News & Injuries

Gert Smal is the new Currie Cup coach of the Vodacom Bulls this season. Jake White will focus on the squad for the United Rugby Championship.

Cyle Brink has joined by the Bulls from Leicester Tigers.

Pumas vs Bulls FAQ

Where can I watch Pumas vs Bulls live stream?

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

Verdict

Pumas v Bulls

The Pumas team are in a rebuilding phase and have a tough opening fixture against a seasoned Bulls team on Friday.

Therefore the visiting side is tipped to win, and by the margin of 15 or more points.

Bulls Win

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