Still no word on captain Verster
The FNB TUT Vikings are still not the wiser as to the fate – and availability – of their captain, Emile Verster, who was sent off in Monday’s 30-42 Varsity Cup loss to neighbours, Tuks.
Verster received his marching orders after a fall-out with the referee, Mlungiseli Mdashe, in the dying stages of TUT’s third successive loss in the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
FNB Varsity Cup CEO Duitser Bosman said it was unlikely that Verster’s disciplinary hearing would take place today (Wednesday).
“I really want to put the matter to bed as soon as possible, but it may well not happen today,” Bosman told this website.
“[However], Christo Ferreira (Saru’s manager of legal affairs) told me the hearing would be done over the phone which should hasten the process considerably.”
Meanwhile, TUT Vikings head coach Alex de Kock said his team was busy preparing for their next Varsity Cup clash – against UCT in Cape Town on February 22 – as if Verster would be playing.
“We believe him to be innocent of any wrong doing,” De Kock told varsitycup.co.za.
“If bad comes to worse, however, we have a ‘Plan’ B to fall back on,” he added.
“If Emile is found guilty and suspended, (No.8) Wikus Botes will most likely take over the captaincy as he has relevant experience. Athi Mtya has recovered from his injury and could [therefore] replace Emile on the side of the scrum,” said De Kock.
Botes captained TUT last year, in both the Varsity Cup and Carlton Cup competitions, whilst Mtya is an old campaigner whose experience could be invaluable against the second-placed FNB Ikey Tigers.
By Morris Gilbert
