Plundered Pumas re-build again for improbable Euro campaign with eye-catching buys

If the Pumas are going to find an improbable but heartening way into the coming season's European Challenge Cup, they'll have to do it with a band of hugely exciting, if thoroughly raw, recruits. 

The Currie Cup finalists were required to mount a substantial re-build (again) after their stocks were pilfered again at the conclusion of the campaign, notably influential backs Tinus de Beer (flyhalf, Cardiff), Sebastian de Klerk (wing/centre, Bulls), Diego Appollis (centre, Sharks) and Ali Mgijima (centre, Cheetahs).

Forwards Deon Slabbert (utility forward, Dragons) and Ig Prinsloo (prop, Sharks) are off too.

In now customary fashion, director of coaching Jimmy Stonehouse and structures manager Chumani Booi have channelled their energies into recruiting youngsters with potentially high ceilings to come to Nelspruit.

Perhaps the biggest fish is Tino Swanepoel, the NWU Eagles magician who lit up their Varsity Cup-winning campaign with some electrifying performances and deserves an opportunity to showcase his prodigious gifts at a higher level.

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In fact, the Pumas have properly raided the champions in also picking up first-choice halfback Sylvester Hassien, rock-solid midfielder Theunis Pretorius and their genial and inspirational skipper, tighthead Ruan 'Sampie' Swiegers.

Stonehouse also managed to fill the void left by De Beer effectively, convincing the experienced Clinton Swart to leave the comforts of Japan's Shizuoka Blue Revs - where Kwagga Smith is a teammate - to return to South Africa.

Swart was part of Jake White's initial recruitment drive at the Bulls back in mid-2020.

Clinton Swart (flyhalf/centre, Shizuoka Blue Revs)

Tino Swanepoel