Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has been forced to make numerous changes to his team, ahead of Friday's Currie Cup encounter with a high-flying Western Province team.

Stonehouse, still smarting from the 16-80 hammering at the hands of the Free State Cheetahs last week, has lost another batch of players to injury.

Prop Dawie Steyn fractured his finger, while fellow prop Dee-Jay Terblanche suffered concussion against the Cheetahs.

In another injury setback lock Rudi Matthee fracture and eye socket, while star forward Corné Steenkamp has still not returned from injury.

Marius Coetzer will start at lock, with Marthinus van der Westhuizen and hooker and Michael de Nieully Rice making his debut at prop.

Changes to the loose forwards will see Martin Sithole starting on the flank in place of Reginald Kember.

The backline also shows several changes, following last week's demoralising loss.

Sevens star MJ Mentz has moved to fullback, while former Stellenbosch Varsity Cup star Wilhelm Looch will start on the right wing. Tian Meyer comes in at inside centre and another former Matie Deon Scholtz is on the left wing. Coenie van Wyk (No.10) and Hendrik van der Nest (No.9) are the new halfbacks.

Stonehouse said his team "must" bounce back this week, following an 80-point hammering last week that nobody expected.

"The players must use this opportunity and show they want it," he said of the changes.

Pumas: 15 MJ Mentz, 14 Wilhelm Looch, 13 JW Jonker (captain), 12 Tian Meyer, 11 Deon Scholtz, 10 Coenie van Wyk, 9 Hendrik van der Nest, 8 Christo le Roux, 7 Martin Sithole, 6 Jaco Bouwer, 5 Eduan van der Walt, 4 Marius Coetzer, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Marthinus van der Westhuizen, 1 Michael de Nieully Rice.
Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Brett Nel, 19 JP Mostert, 18 Reginald Kember, 20 Tiaan Marx, 21 Siviwe Magaba, 22 Johan Jackson.

Date: Friday, August 26
Venue: Puma Stadium, Witbank
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Berry