Cobras: The story thus far
Last Monday, the Steinhoff UCT Cobras took to the field in Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships action against the Steinhoff Barbarians from NMMU in Port Elizabeth.
Few would have predicted such a close game in the Koshuisrugby Championships, renowned for its fast-paced and free-scoring style, but spectators were treated to an extremely tense affair eventually ending 8-5 in favour of the home side.
This Monday will again see UCT’s premier Koshuis side line up on the ‘Green Mile’ against Huis Armentum – from Bloemfontein – in the curtain-raiser to the Varsity Cup clash between UCT and Shimlas. the Cobras-Armentum game will get underway at 4.45pm, followed by the UCT-Shimlas match at 6.45pm.
The Cobras have now played two matches in their 2009 campaign – first against Majuba from Maties and then against the ‘Baa-baas’ this past week.
Against Majuba, the Cobras came close to taking the honours, though two quick scores in the dying minutes sealed it for the Stellenbosch students who ran out 43-28 winners on the night with the scoreline not reflecting the quality of rugby on display.
What is more telling, however, is how Huis Armentum dealt with the same opposition (Majuba). When these two sides met this past Monday, there was only one side on the field as Armentum took control of the match to win 61-19.
Armentum’s track record will definitely worry Cobras team manager Warren Butler in the lead-up to this coming Monday (March 9), though the Cobras will be hoping that home-ground advantage with a partisan home crowd will be enough to unhinge the strong Free Staters.
Earlier this week, a Cobras representative told varsitycup.co.za: “Armentum are in good form, but will give it our best go come Monday and fight back strongly; the way UCT knows best!”
The Cobras have shown thus far that they certainly have the class to beat Huis Armentum, should their backline come off on the night, but coming off of two close defeats in the last two weeks will not make preparations for the Cape-based side any easier.
Once again, a lot of faith will be placed in star performers, wingers Xanti Nessi (UCT’s club captain) and Sinako ‘Snakes’ Dunywa, as well as scrumhalf Ian ‘Army’ Armstrong.
By Rory Holmes
