Pukke put the past behind them

 

The Potchefstroom side were mere minutes away from claiming their first title in front of their home crowd last year, before a dramatic finish saw UCT score three unanswered tries to snatch victory.

 

Despite that demoralising setback NWU-Pukke showed great character to fight their way into this year’s final, claiming two late bonus points against UFS-Shimlas to sneak into the play-offs and then coming from behind to beat UP-Tuks in their Pretoria semifinal.

 

Having worked so hard to get into the final, Du Preez is certainly not going to let what happened last year distract his team, and pointed out that there are only a few players in the current side that were involved in that game.

 

“Only two guys that are in the starting line-up this year played in last year’s final, so it is not really something that we worry or think about, that is not a consideration for us.

 

“We are very happy to be in the final, it is there for the taking so it is going to be a big occasion and we are looking forward to it,” he said.

 

The NWU-Pukke coach was proud of the way his team overcame the odds in their semifinal, but is more than aware of the threat UFS-Shimlas will pose at home.

 

“The guys really put it together, I think we executed the gameplan well and we have taken a lot of confidence out of the semi, but the final is a totally new game and it brings a whole lot of new challenges.

 

“They [UFS-Shimlas] have played really good rugby, they are definitely the outstanding team of the tournament. They are well coached and playing good rugby so I think it is going to be a helluva final,” he said.

 

As a former NWU-Pukke player himself, Du Preez is well-aware of the old rivalry between the sides and is looking forward to another epic clash on Monday.

 

“I believe there are a lot of supporters going down which is always nice. Even from my days when I played the Pukke-Shimlas intervarsities were great affairs, and this one won’t be any different,” he said.