FNB NWU Eagles head coach Burger van der Westhuizen says his team will use this year’s FNB Varsity Cup tournament to correct last season’s mistakes. The Eagles had a good run last year but were knocked out in the semi-finals in the 2024 campaign by UCT. They will be looking for revenge when they travel to Cape Town on Monday and aim to repeat the success they had in 2023 when they beat the Ikey Tigers 27-25 to be crowned tournament champions.
Van der Westhuizen knows what is at stake heading to the Green Mile.
“It's a very tough assignment, the first game of the season, huge amount of traveling, playing against the team that knocked us out at the semifinal last year,” said van der Westhuizen.
“So, I'm fully aware of the intensity and the culture that's part and parcel of Ikeys team.
“We are expecting a very, very tough game, they will always be up for the game, both physically and mentally.”
Van der Westhuizen believes the North West based side ticked all the boxes for this season and the team is ready for the new challenge.
“The boys have worked really hard off-season and a pre-season to prepare a good mindset for the season,” he said.
He knows it will not be an easy task to face a tough test in the Varsity Cup opponents this season.
“We're really looking forward to the new season – we are looking forward to the game in Cape Town as our first stop.”
Provisional Squad (subject to change):
Zihan Bensch, Alethwa Buthelezi, Shaldon Cloete, Angelo Daniels, Guhan Du Bois, Jaco Du Toit, Divan Du Toit, Matthew Fortuin, Ricardo Fourie, Stehan Heymans, Naiden Jaarts, Logan Janeke, Stephan Krugel, Nico Liversage, Jordan Mcloughlin, MJ Mostert, Jason Oosthuizen, Isrome Phatudi, Francois Pretorius, Therlow Prins, Sean Roulston, Joubert Schoeman, Zack Serfontein, Ntobeko Shezi, Bradley Stanfliet, Stephen Taylor, Lachibo Tchokonte-Nana, TT Tlaka, Indiphile Tyeda, Luan Van der Walt, Schalk van Schalkwyk, Chyle van Zyl, Tian van Zyl, Hanro Venter, Sanele Zungu.