It’s a case of déjà vu for the defending FNB Varsity Cup champions, the FNB UFS Shimlas, as they head to Stellenbosch to keep their title defence alive. The FNB UFS Shimlas will face the FNB Maties on Monday night in the semi-finals—a repeat of last year’s knockout match, which the Bloemfontein side won 38-24, silencing the Maroon Machine faithful.
FNB Maties are undoubtedly a stronger team this season, but the Shimlas have proven time and again, most recently on Monday night, that they thrive under pressure, as Tuks learned in the final round of round-robin matches.
Shimlas assistant coach and former Springbok hooker, Tiaan Liebenberg, believes the team has hit peak form at the perfect time and is ready for another battle.
“We’re obviously very excited for the semi-final. I think the guys did unbelievably well on Monday night. We’ve been asking for an 80-minute performance all season, and we finally got it,” said Liebenberg, who is set to join the Cheetahs.
“This is exactly the right time to peak. I mean, there are only two games left in the competition. We were in the same position last year, and we made it.”
Liebenberg added that in the Varsity Cup, it doesn’t get much bigger than a semi-final at the Danie Craven Stadium, and the team needs no extra motivation.
“We were clinical. The pack was unbelievable. I think it was definitely our best performance of the year. So, yeah, we’re looking forward to Monday night. Obviously, they’ll try to replicate what we did in Pretoria.
“The guys are buzzing, and they love playing at DC. It’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere—we’re really looking forward to it and can’t wait.”
There’s no doubt that Monday night’s knockout clash will be another Varsity Cup thriller between two of South Africa’s most historic rugby clubs.
Starting XV: Ntokozo Hlope, Jacobus Bezuidenhout, Ben Pitout, Reinier Viljoen, HJ de Beer, Ramon Uys, Marno Stopforth, Liam Shamburg, Hlumelo Klaas, Bradley Pierre Giddy, Siviwe Zondani, Freddie Dreyer, Nkoka Ngobe (captain), Kirwin du Preez, and Regan Izaks. Replacements: Vice Hofmeyer, Conley Pieterse, DuJean Smit, Sandile Nzuza, Henri van Heerden, Alastair-cole Vermeulen, Alwich van der Linde, Lilitha Lunqe.