Booi blow for winless Madibas
The FNB NMMU Madibas will go into their ‘Wooden Spoon Final’ against the FNB TUT Vikings on Monday without inspirational skipper and scrumhalf Luso Booi.
NMMU, winless thus far in the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, will also be without Booi’s regular halfback partner, Willem Laubscher – a bitter blow for the PE-based side as they look to avoid finishing last on the log.
Having come away with the dreaded Wooden Spoon in 2008, the Madibas were a lot more competitive and ended seventh – ahead of TUT, their opponents this coming Monday – in last year’s Varsity Cup.
TUT, on the other hand, have not won a Varsity Cup encounter since March 2008, but they have come close this season – in particular against Tukkies, UCT and Shimlas.
But, whatever might have happened in the past, the fact is; the loser of Monday’s encounter – at the TUT Stadium in Tshwane at 6.30pm – will be awarded the 2010 Wooden Spoon and also, then, forced to take part in a series of promotion/relegation matches in order to ‘re-qualify’ for the 2011 Varsity Cup.
* The Madibas and the Vikings have met twice in the history of the Varsity Cup; with TUT winning 31-26 in 2008 and NMMU triumphing 28-18 last season.
The FNB NMMU team: 15 Oscar Mazaka, 14 Christopher Juries, 13 Mlindazwe Nqoro, 12 Braam Gerber, 11 Williams Heydenrych, 10 Carl van Niekerk, 9 Hugo van Heerden, 8 Samuel Borsaah, 7 JP Kellerman, 6 Thomasau Forbes, 5 Mathew Lutge, 4 Jannie Fourie, 3 Pierre Hammand, 2 Werner Kapp, 1 Hanre Basson.
Replacements: 16 Bathabile Mtimka, 17 Thabiso Mgomezulu, 18 De Wet De Lange, 19 Kemsley Wesso, 20 Wade Roos, 21 Phiwokhule Lalendle, 22 Stefan de Klerk, 23 Chariel van Jaarsveld.
Head coach: Kolie Brandt
Date: Monday, March 15
Venue: TUT Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Bongani Maloni
