The former Springboks Sevens speedster David Brits is expecting a humdinger in Nelspruit on Saturday when the Pumas host the Toyota Cheetahs in the final round of the Currie Cup.

Brits, who until as recently as last year still played for the Cheetahs, linked up with the 2022 Currie Cup champions following a brief spell with the Blitzboks in Stellenbosch. Before heading to the Lowveld, Brits was linked with a possible return to the Cheetahs, however, this didn’t pan out and he took the opportunity to join the exciting Pumas outfit.

On Saturday, the two teams will effectively face each other in the quarter-finals with the winner going through to the semis.

‘I’ve got a duty to fulfil with the Pumas now. That’s where my focus is.’

Brits told OFM Sport that Saturday’s game will be a bit strange to play against his former teammates, who he still considers to be his brothers in arms, but it will be a tough one with very little separating the two teams.

“It’s definitely going to be a strange feeling playing against them,” said Brits.

“It’s hard to put into words – I’m trying my best not to make it a personal thing. Quite frankly, it isn’t about me. Like you said, these two teams have come up against each other for the last three years and it always seems to be a nail-biting encounter.

“It always seems to be a game that decides who goes through. It just shows you the strength of these two unions. I always knew that we were going to find them somewhere down the line. I’m looking forward to playing against my mates. Those guys are still my friends. They’ll be my friends forever, but I’ve got a duty to fulfil with the Pumas now. That’s where my focus is.

“I’m going to try my best to not make it a personal thing and think too much about who I’m playing against. Obviously, we’ve prepared ourselves on this side. I’m pretty sure that if we can stick to our plan, things can go our way.”

‘Whoever defends the best will win the game’

Brits, who knows the style and philosophy of both teams, added that whoever has the best defence on the day, should be the one to advance to the semi-finals.

“But I’m looking forward to it. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be an absolutely great game. It always seems to be great running rugby, attacking rugby. I think the moral of the game is, that whoever defends the best will win the game. In terms of the kicking game and the attacking rugby that will be on display, the team that can defend the best will be the team that wins. Both teams use defence as an attacking aspect of the game.”

David Brits. Picture: Morgan Piek 

The former Maties captain said that playing for the Pumas was an opportunity that came his way, and as a player, it’s his duty and responsibility to make sure that he uses it to the best of his ability.

‘It’s going to be lekker 80 minutes of rugby’

“It’s been a real change of scenery. I’m looking forward to running out against them. This is what rugby is all about. You make friends. You stay at a place. You can’t always be in the same place. You’ve got to use the opportunity that you get on the field.

“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be lekker 80 minutes of rugby and may the best team win.”

Saturday’s big game between the Pumas and Cheetahs at the Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 13:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh