UJ bullish ahead of VC opener
The University of Johannesburg’s FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, preparations received a major confidence booster after they convincingly beat Russia 36-15 at Milopark on Sunday.
The students signalled their intent ahead of this year’s tournament by handing the passionate Russians the heaviest defeat on their South African tour with flyhalf Andre Smith and Earl Lewis particularly impressive.
The student side has been involved in a number of pre-Varsity Cup warm-ups, narrowly losing against Tukkies and the Blue Bulls, but team manger Muhammed Moosa says the win against the Russians is just what they needed.
“Russia was a very physical encounter and you could see it at the start of the game when they ran at us a bit,” Moosa told www.varsitycup.co.za.
“But the boys really stood up to their challenge and pulled off a great win.
“The game also provided a good opportunity to test some of the combinations before we finalise the squad for the Varsity Cup.”
The Jo’burg outfit opens its 2009 Varsity Cup campaign against TUT on February 2 and Moosa is upbeat about UJ’s chances of kicking their campaign off on a high.
“TUT has lost a number of players to other provinces but we won’t be underestimating them at all,” Moosa told this website.
“I’m sure they would want to get off to a winning start as well so we are expecting a big contest.”
Moosa stressed that the Varsity Cup has become an important springboard for promising young rugby players, which is why UJ have enlisted the services of a very capable coaching staff.
After finishing fifth in the inaugural tournament in 2008, the club has made wholesale changes to their management team with former Transvaal midfielder Hugo van As leading the experienced brainstrust of Mac Masina, Etienne van As and Leon Boshoff in this year’s student rugby extravaganza.
“There’s a lot at stake in the Varsity Cup with guys getting contacts after performing in the tournament,” Moosa explained.
“There’s also a lot of money involved in the competition so we want to make sure that our team has the best possible chance of succeeding in the tournament.”
