Another remarkable post-match speech by Beckerling?

DURBAN: With only three rounds remaining in the Varsity Cup, things are heating up as teams try and shuffle themselves into a spot for the playoffs. Tuks and Shimlas clash in Bloemfontein at 7pm tonight for a game that will go a long way in deciding who will end up where in the top four.

Currently, Tuks sit in second on the log behind Maties, who are five points clear at the top. But it is more about what is below them as their opponents for this evening’s match are in third and equal on log points. However, Tuks know they still have another shot at getting more points before the round robin stages end as they have played a game less.

Tuks will also be feeling pretty confident having raised a century of points against a woeful CUT side last week. It was clearly a clash between men and boys, but this evening’s game will be far more challenging as Shimlas will want to bounce back after the humbling they received from Maties, losing last week 60-12.

Maties sit out this week and will have their eye on the game in Bloemfontein, but in the early fixture, at 4.45pm, the Ikeys will host UJ in what could be a tough day on the Green Mile. UJ are currently fourth and will do all they can to stay up in that bracket with eyes towards the play-offs.

Pukke are in fifth and chasing UJ, who are only three points ahead in that qualifying position. The men from the North West also travel to the Cape, but to play the battered and bruised men from CUT. CUT have struggled through all of their five games, not picking up a single point, and it looks likely that their drought will continue.

The final match of the day, 7pm and televised, is between Wits and the Madibaz. There has been a lot of interest drummed up around Wits and their passionate captain Constant Beckerling who gave a remarkable post-match interview when they defeated Pukke in a stunning performance last week. Wits, and plenty of neutrals, will be hoping for another win, and another postmatch speech. There is every chance of another Wits win too as the Madibaz have not been great either this season.

Points will be essential for all of those teams still in the hunt for a play-off pot, but not all of the teams will have it easy going with UJ, Pukke and Wits all playing away from home.