Homeground advantage in round one of the 2023 FNB Varsity Cup will be key for FNB CUT Ixias and they will target a much better showing this time round.
2022 results: Played: 9, Won: 0, Lost: 8, Draw: 1, Log position: 10th
This is according to new head coach Melusi Mthethwa.
After failing to secure a single win last year, it will no doubt be a tough first game this year, against FNB Wits in Bloemfontein. However, Mthethwa feels the ball is certainly in their court and the onus is on his team to make it count.
“The first game is at home and we are excited about that. It's important to win your home games. You've got to do the right things first, and if you are winning your home games, you've got a chance.”
Mthethwa comes in to try to turn the team’s fortunes around in what is his first outing as the head coach of a team. That said, Mthethwa is an astute coach with a wealth of experience with time spent at the Ixias city rivals, UFH Shimlas, as well as the Cheetahs. He is also an assistant coach to Pieter Bergh at the Currie Cup runners-up, the Griquas.
The Ixias’ rivalry with Wits goes back to the Varsity Shield competition before both teams earned a promotion to the Varsity Cup.
According to Mthethwa, they are going into this year’s Varsity Cup without looking too far ahead.
“You don't want to focus on things that are way ahead in the future. We are going to take it one game at a time, but winning a home game in round one will bring a lot of confidence to the team.”
Fixtures:
20/02/2023 FNB CUT Ixias vs FNB Wits
27/02/2023 FNB Maties vs FNB CUT Ixias
06/03/2023 FNB CUT Ixias vs FNB UP Tuks
13/03/2023 FNB UJ vs FNB CUT Ixias
20/03/2023 FNB NWU Eagles vs FNB CUT Ixias
27/03/2023 FNB UFS Shimlas - FNB CUT Ixias
03/04/2023 FNB CUT Ixias vs FNB UCT Ikeys
10/03/2023 Semi-Finals
17/03/2023 Final
