By ROSS ROCHE
The University Sport South African (USSA) Rugby Week reaches a climax today as the division A final is fought out between the University of Stellenbosch (Maties) and the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at Old Selbornians.
The two finalists go into the headlining match off differing weeks as Tuks have enjoyed a pretty serene progress over their two matches while Maties have had to fight tooth and nail to progress to the week’s main game.
A cracking clash should thus be on the cards as the two teams fight to be crowned champion of the 2016 USSA Rugby Week.
Tuks started the week with a solid 38-5 victory over Central University of Technology (CUT) and then in what was expected to be a closer match, claimed a good 24-3 win over Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan University (NMMU) to stroll into the final.
For Maties it couldn’t have been any closer as they first edged out the University of the Free State (Shimlas) 31-29 before pipping defending rugby week champs the University of Johannesburg (UJ) 16-15 in the second match to make the final.
A top-class clash should thus be on the cards with Maties ‘never-say-die’ attitude and Tuks solid form going head-to-head and we could see this one go right down to the wire.
Eastern Cape’s premier team NMMU will be looking for a consolation victory in the third-fourth playoff, but will find a very tough opposition in UJ.
“The boys are disappointed after the Tuks match; we could have done better, but credit to Tuks; they played well and these things happen,” said NMMU coach David Maidza.
“But we aim to carry on with our improvements. There have been a number positives over the week so far; we have a good team spirit and a youngish squad that is constantly learning.”
NMMU will look to their opening match win for inspiration where their solid defence dominated a very game North West University Pukke side, while their attack struck at just the right moments as they registered a good 27-17 result. They will hope to do the same against UJ and finish on a high.
“We will be up against it against UJ; they have a bigger pack so we will need to play smart and keep on working, and learn from the experience,” said Maidza.
“We must do the utmost to pick ourselves up from Wednesday’s loss and finish as strong as we can.”
The 2015 champs will however be looking for redemption after they started the week with a bang, thumping the University of Cape Town 47-12 and will want to finish in at least third place having surrendered their title.
The third-fourth playoff gets going at 10.10am on Hudson Park A field, while the headline final kicks off at 11.50am at Old Boys.
The other matches see Pukke against Shimlas in the fifth-sixth playoff at on Hudson Park A at 11.50am and CUT up against UCT for the wooden spoon at 8.30am at Port Rex. — rossr@dispatch.co.za
Maties must rise above explosive, unwavering Tuks
The University Sport South African (USSA) Rugby Week reaches a climax today as the division A final is fought out between the University of Stellenbosch (Maties) and the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at Old Selbornians.
The two finalists go into the headlining match off differing weeks as Tuks have enjoyed a pretty serene progress over their two matches while Maties have had to fight tooth and nail to progress to the week’s main game.
A cracking clash should thus be on the cards as the two teams fight to be crowned champion of the 2016 USSA Rugby Week.
Tuks started the week with a solid 38-5 victory over Central University of Technology (CUT) and then in what was expected to be a closer match, claimed a good 24-3 win over Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan University (NMMU) to stroll into the final.
For Maties it couldn’t have been any closer as they first edged out the University of the Free State (Shimlas) 31-29 before pipping defending rugby week champs the University of Johannesburg (UJ) 16-15 in the second match to make the final.
A top-class clash should thus be on the cards with Maties ‘never-say-die’ attitude and Tuks solid form going head-to-head and we could see this one go right down to the wire.
Eastern Cape’s premier team NMMU will be looking for a consolation victory in the third-fourth playoff, but will find a very tough opposition in UJ.
“The boys are disappointed after the Tuks match; we could have done better, but credit to Tuks; they played well and these things happen,” said NMMU coach David Maidza.
“But we aim to carry on with our improvements. There have been a number positives over the week so far; we have a good team spirit and a youngish squad that is constantly learning.”
NMMU will look to their opening match win for inspiration where their solid defence dominated a very game North West University Pukke side, while their attack struck at just the right moments as they registered a good 27-17 result. They will hope to do the same against UJ and finish on a high.
“We will be up against it against UJ; they have a bigger pack so we will need to play smart and keep on working, and learn from the experience,” said Maidza.
“We must do the utmost to pick ourselves up from Wednesday’s loss and finish as strong as we can.”
The 2015 champs will however be looking for redemption after they started the week with a bang, thumping the University of Cape Town 47-12 and will want to finish in at least third place having surrendered their title.
The third-fourth playoff gets going at 10.10am on Hudson Park A field, while the headline final kicks off at 11.50am at Old Boys.
The other matches see Pukke against Shimlas in the fifth-sixth playoff at on Hudson Park A at 11.50am and CUT up against UCT for the wooden spoon at 8.30am at Port Rex. — rossr@dispatch.co.za
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