Preview: Maties v UP-Tuks
After weeks of playing at neutral venues, the competition returns to the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch which will most certainly be filled to the brim by a partisan Maties crowd – a stark contrast to what has become the competition's norm in recent weeks, where empty seats where the order of the day.
Maties have been riding a major wave of success since the competition started as they never relinquished top spot. The Stellenbosch students were untouchable as they secured a home semifinal before the final round of action and had the privilege of resting their first choice players for their final round match against UJ.
UJ claimed a 42-16 victory but it mattered little as it afforded Maties' first choice players the chance to rest their bruised bodies following six intense rounds of rugby.
Their opponents, UP-Tuks, took the harder route to secure themselves a semifinal spot.
Losses in the opening three rounds of competition saw the Pretoria students face an uphill battle but the competition's bi ref postponement did the trick for them as they went unbeaten in their remaining four matches, including a massive 100-25 victory over UCT-Ikeys in the final round.
This is a North v South rivalry in every sense. Both institutions pride themselves as being the best and will certainly leave nothing to chance as they chase a spot in the final.
They are also two of the most successful teams in competition's history. Maties have three titles (2008, 2009, 2010) to their name while Tuks have won it on two occasions (2012, 2013).
The sides met at the Danie Craven Stadium in Round Three and Maties claim a 29-16 victory.
Prediction: Tuks have their tails up and are out to avenge their loss to Maties earlier in the competition. The Pretoria side have found their groove and their big pack of forwards have provided the perfect platform. Maties, on the other hand, have been the most consistent and played as a unit from game one. They have firepower and match winners all over the park. With an expected crowd rumoured to reach the tens of thousands, the home side will be firm favourites. We expect Maties to claim an eight point victory.
Teams:
Maties: 15 Craig Barry, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Paul Streicher, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Ernst Stapelberg, 9 Remu Malan, 8 Kobus van Wyk, 7 Janco Venter, 6 Beyers de Villiers (captain), 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 JE van der Merwe, 2 Freddie Kirsten, 1 Niel Oelofse.
Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Wesley Adonis, 18 Sidney Labuschagne, 19 Saud Abrahams, 20 Bjorn Bernardo, 21 Christopher Smith, 22 Brandon Asheer-Wood, 23 Johannes Kleinhans.
UP-Tuks: 15 Duncan Matthews, 14 Riaan Britz, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Toko Maebane, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Clyde Davids, 7 Frederic Eksteen, 6 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Aston Fortuin, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Replacements: 16 Frederick Binneman, 17 Stephanus Genis, 18 Pieter Jansen van Vuuren, 19 Luke van der Smit, 20 Carlo Engelbrecht, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Keanan van Wyk, 23 Justin Forwood.
Date: Monday, April 4
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Francois Pretorius
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
