Madibaz want to be surprise package again

CLUB rugby has always been strong in the Eastern Cape and now the Varsity Cup side from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, the Madibaz, are continuing the trend.

Captain Kevin Kaba’s side were the surprise packet in round one of the 2017 season of the Varsity Cup which got underway last Monday and he and his charges will be keen to show their win against former champions Ikeys was no fluke.

The Madibaz opened their account with a 36-8 win against the University of Cape Town, in Ravensmead mind you, to bag all five points on offer, with Andile Jho scoring two tries as his side edged their opponents five one in the tries department.

And now the Madibaz have their sights on another former championship-winning team, the Pukke from the University of the North West. Again, the men from the Eastern Cape will be away from home, but they showed last week they have no problem with travelling.

Pukke though, winners against neighbours, the University of Johannesburg, last week will be far stiffer opposition for the Madibaz, especially as last year’s champions are not easily beaten on home soil. Also, coach Jonathan Mokuena will be keen to see a much-improved effort from his men after they edged UJ 16-12 in the wet a week ago.

The only other team to bag a fullhouse of five points in week one, the Shimlas from Bloemfontein, are also on the road this week, travelling to Joburg for the second time in a week to take on UJ. The champions from 2015 edged Wits in a 26-21 thriller a week ago and today clash with the other Joburg side, and both outfits will be hoping for good weather and a dry field after having to play in the wet last Monday.

Who’ll step up today in round two of the Varsity Cup?

Fixtures

Ikeys v CUT, Cape Town, 4.45pm; UJ v Shimlas, Joburg, 6.30pm; Maties v Wits, Stellenbosch, 6.30pm; Pukke v Madibaz, Potshefstroom, 7pm