'Tightest Varsity Cup yet' says Roux

FNB Maties head coach Chean Roux believes the quality of opposition in the 2010 Varsity Cup is the best he has seen in the history of this three-year competition.

Having guided his team to back-to-back FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International titles, in 2008 and 2009, Roux’s Stellenbosch side are once again in the pound seats after two rounds of action this year.

But despite their ten-point haul already (after two bonus-point victories), the wily Maties mentor – who last year also coached the SA Universities team – does not believe a hat-trick of titles is a fait accompli for the Men in Maroon.

“It’s going to be the tightest Varsity Cup yet,” Roux told varsitycup.co.za.

“Sure, we’ve got off to a good start, but we will have to be at our very best to successfully defend our title.”

The scary thing about the Maties is that, sometimes, their best is good enough. Roux, wry smile on hand, added: “Our depth will be tested when the Vodacom Cup starts – as will a team like Shimlas’ (depth).

“Shimlas, at the moment, are looking good… UCT obviously beat Pukke on Monday, but Pukke themselves have looked good – as have Tuks.”

The Maties boss is also quick to mention UJ – his team’s opponents in Johannesburg this coming Monday night (kick-off 6.30pm) – as a threat in the Varsity Cup.

“It’s a daunting prospect – making the trip to Johannesburg to play against UJ – as we’ve never played them (UJ) up there,” he revealed.

“I haven’t watched their full video yet (against Tuks), but I heard it was a close encounter. UJ are always a formidable side and I thought they were very unlucky to miss out on the semifinas last year when Tuks got in ahead of them after beating us [at home] in their final league match.

“[But] we’re looking forward to the challenge and will stick to our aim of trying to win every game that we play in the Varsity Cup.”