After falling at the last hurdle in the 2023 FNB Varsity Cup final, losing to FNB NWU by just two points, FNB UCT coach Tom Dawson-Squibb says his team is power-hungry this year.
The Ikeys’ 2024 campaign kicks off on 19 February with an away game against FNB UFS Shimlas in Bloemfontein.
Dawson-Squibb says the Ikeys players have been going hard at it in their training sessions.
“So far preparations have been going pretty well. Obviously, you lose a couple of guys, but we've still got a really nice core of our squad from last year and you can see the guys are looking cohesive and connected. There is still work to be done, but I would say we're looking pretty good at the moment."
Speaking to Varsity Cup from their training camp at Hermanus, Dawson-Squibb says they are putting the emphasis on training as best they can.
"I think if we train well, we put ourselves in a good position to do well. Off the field, we had a nice campaign launch where we climbed Lion's Head, did a tour of the Bo Kaap and we had a fantastic talk at the DHL Stadium.”
Dawson-Squibb says his charges know what to expect against a tough Shimlas side in a little under three weeks.
"Against Shimlas you know what's going to come. If it's dry, it will be very fast, attacking and high-tempo rugby. They, you know, they sort of turn themselves into the great entertainers of the competition, which is cool.
"It's a nice place [Bloemfontein], we enjoy playing there. Last year we went there in the semi-final and we played a really good game of rugby, so I think what we'll try and do is bring real intent and intensity to the Shimlas game."
SQUAD LIST (subject to change)