Maties face a tricky trip to face the Varsity Cup’s surprise package

THERE WILL be an intriguing battle in today’s round of Varsity Cup fixtures as the top two teams after four games go headto-head in a match that could change the shape of the top of the standings.

Current leaders Stellenbosch University will travel to the Wits Rugby Stadium to take on the surprise package of this year’s Cup. Maties are currently unbeaten and have picked up three out of four winning bonus points along the way.

However, they are only four points clear of Wits, who are led by the charismatic and entertaining Constant Beckerling. Wits have lost just the one game and also managed three bonus points this season.

That will be the first game of the day, at 4.45pm and will be televised, before the University of Cape Town welcome the University of Pretoria to the Green Mile with the visitors in desperate need of a win. Tuks are sitting bottom of the table with only two points, although they have only played three games.

The Ikeys are fourth, with two wins out of four games and will know they have a chance at maximum points which will go a long way in a congested mid table.

Kicking off at the same time as the Ikeys-Tuks clash, 6.30pm, Nelson Mandela University take on North-West University in Port Elizabeth with the home team in search of their first win of the campaign, having lost their games in agonising circumstances; all by less than seven points.

Pukke are in fifth and despite having to travel for this encounter, they will still feel there is a chance to make some ground on the teams above them.

The final game of the day, 7pm at Shimla Park sees the University of the Free State take on the University of Johannesburg. Shimlas are third on the log behind Wits, although they have won the same amount of games, they have battled to get the extra points on offer. They will know that there is a chance to jump into second spot should Wits falter.

Round five of the Varsity Cup represents a near half-way point in the competition, with the finals happening in the 10th round. It will mean that, with the log being so tight, some teams will want to make their move in solidifying a playoff spot.

Maties may have the lead with a near-perfect display, but the competition is still fierce and bullish as these side looks for every advantage they can muster.