Maties make changes ahead of Tukkies clash

MATIES can beat Tukkies... only if the Cape side play to their full potential.

The two universities clash in the Varsity Cup tonight (kick-off 7pm) at Tuks Rugby Stadium and a humdinger 80minute encounter is anticipated between the fierce rivals.

Three- time champions Maties haven’t won the title since completing a hat-trick of wins in 2010, while Tukkies lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2013.

Log position after two rounds sees unbeaten Tuks topping the table on eight points, the same number as 2014 finalists NWU-Pukke but with a superior points differential of five.

Pukke, like Tuks and third-placed Shimlas, have won one and drawn one, while fifth-placed Maties remain the other unbeaten side having drawn twice.

The other Cape side, defending champions UCT, drew their opener against arch-rivals Maties, but then were mauled 39-24 by the table-toppers, and, as a result, dropped down to seventh on the eight-team standings. They host fourth- placed NMMU Madibaz at the Green Mile (kick-off 6.30pm).

Maties showed tremendous courage under fire last time out against Pukke on home soil, their pack leading the charge with four mauled tries that helped secure a share of the spoils in a pulsating clash that ended 26-26.

The men from Stellenbosch played to a 32-all draw in their season-opener away to the Ikey Tigers, a game that was theirs for the taking but for a missed penalty just before the final hooter.

Coach Chris Roussouw would have felt that his side could have won both games. They led 16-0 in the first game but could not close out while in the last they may have come through a tough, physical contest had they made better use of the strong north-westerly wind in their favour in the first half.

They led 18-16 at half-time, but it wasn’t enough to see off a determined rival in the second half, although they came very close to pulling off the win.

The newly introduced white card challenge dented their cause. Having scored a legitimate try, the visitors’ coaching staff used their challenge and the try was disallowed by the TMO.

Pukke scored a goaled try the next minute and seemed headed for their second consecutive win, but a late reply from the hosts two minutes from time saw the game end in a draw.

In the draw against Ikeys, the Maties backs were brilliant. Though they have made a couple of positional changes which include Craig Barry, pictured, moving from wing to fullback and Brandon Asher-Wood filling the void left by Barry. Debutant Asher-Wood will be out to shine in his first Varsity Cup match.

If the pack, which was outmuscled by Pukke in the scrums, can hold their own in this facet, the maroon machine could well return home undefeated and in the hunt for silverware once again.

Meanwhile, UCT may find the going tough against the Port-Elizabeth-based Madibaz.

Let’s not forget that Ikeys have not enjoyed the best results at home. It was their unbeaten run on the road last year that ultimately won them their second title, three years after their first triumph.

Worrying for Ikeys is the fact that they were outdone by Tuks by some margin. Trailing 34-8 with 10 minutes to go is a worrying statistic. But, as has become the norm for the Cape side, a stirring comeback did play out as they reduced the deficit to 10 points, but then they went to sleep again and conceded a sixth try.

“We haven’t had the best of starts in both outings to date”, said UCT coach Kevin Musikanth.

“So we need to be alert from the getgo against a rival as committed as us. We expect the Madibaz to come at us hard from the first whistle, we must just be focused and determined as ever in order to get the job done.”

The two sides will be contesting the Monte Taljaard trophy which UCT currently have in their possession.