Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
The North-South derby has been played 22 times in the FNB Varsity Cup, including three at the semi-final stage of the tournament. The Maroon Machine won all three, by an average score of 45-23. FNB Maties also won this year’s Round 4 clash between the teams, 31-24.
In 2021, the five-time champions have not met the high standards they set for themselves, suffering two losses against FNB UCT and FNB CUT during the league stage, but they showed what they are capable of by thrashing FNB UFS Shimlas in their previous outing to finish second on the log, ahead of Tuks.
"Reaching the semi-finals means we've stuck to our plan and it works,” says FNB Maties captain David Brits. “Friday’s match will be a different beast. If you want to be the best, you must beat the best, and Tuks in Pretoria is always a tough battle. Everyone is ready, so may the best team win.”
FNB Maties coach Drikus Hancke expects both sides to "bring a lot of intensity and passion" to the semi-final.
"And, like always, Tukkies will want to dominate the set-piece and dominate territory through a good kicking game," he added.
FNB UP-Tuks have been consistent in their style of play, which is similar to that of the Bulls and Springboks. They tend to switch gears in the second half and employ a quality bench that generally overpowers their opponents in the last quarter.
“We’ve put a lot of work into this campaign and we’re still only starting to reap the fruits of it,” says FNB UP-Tuks centre and captain Sango Xamlashe. “A lot of preparation has gone into the semi-final this week too and the boys are really excited about it.”
FNB UP-Tuks coach Nico Luus says FNB Maties have hit form at the right time.
“They played some brilliant rugby in the last bubble. They have a very good kicking game and very good forwards, so as a team we’re looking forward to proving ourselves against one of the best teams in the competition.”
FNB UP-Tuks flyhalf Zander du Plessis, who has attracted interest from professional clubs off the back of his performances in this year’s FNB Varsity Cup, is the tournament’s top point-scorer with 128 (see table below), while flank Eduan Lubbe has scored five tries.
FNB Maties hooker André-Hugo Venter has benefited from a strong forward display to cross the line six times, while flyhalf Christopher Schreuder is his team’s top point-scorer with 49.
FNB Maties – 15 Juan Mostert, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 David Brits (c), 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Siba Xamlashe, 10 Adriaan van der Bank, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Thys Kitshoff, 7 Gift Dlamini, 6 Mitchell Carstens, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Duncan du Buisson, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 Abri Coetzee, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 James Combrink, 19 Marco van Rhyn, 20 Jesse Johnson, 21 Tomas Bursey, 22 Waqar Solaan, 23 Nevaldo Fleurs.
FNB UP-Tuks – 15 Zander du Plessis, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe (c), 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 11 Tharquin Manuel, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Clyde Lewis, 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout, 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Eduan Lubbe, 5 Louis Meiring, 4 Mihlali Stamper, 3 Damien Swartz, 2 Werner Fourie, 1 Cebo Dlamini. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 Etienne Janeke, 19 Thomas Meyer, 20 Orateng Koikanyang, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Enrique Oranje, 23 Ambesa Zenzeli.