Mopanie know the score
Steinhoff Mopanie coach Barend Kirsten is aware that his side has to perform in all their remaining games if the want to make the play-offs.
The side from UP-Tuks travel to Potchefstroom to take on Steinhoff Villagers in their next fixture on Monday and Kirsten has been hit by a serious injury in the lead-up to the game.
Kirsten told varsitycup.co.za: "Preparations are going fine but I have just lost my flyhalf Clinton Swart to a major injury which will see him out for six months."
This is a blow for Mopanie as Swart was responsible for 19 of the 24 points in their match against Steinhoff Medies two weeks ago.
Kirsten explains that: "The problem with our game against Medies is that we won all the set-pieces but couldn't manage to win the game.
"We lost control of the ball at crucial moments when we were on the attack and they had a fast wing who ran around us twice against the run of play," Kirsten added.
There is a sense of continuity in the Mopanie squad with their pack remaining unchanged from last season and there only being a few changes in the backline.
"My whole pack of forwards is the same as last season but I have about three changes in the back-line," Kirsten mentioned.
Having continuity amongst his forwards is crucial as Kirsten mentions that the pack is the sides strong point and what the team is built around.
In order to prepare for their upcoming game against Villagers, Mopanie played their first game of their internal Steinhoff Koshuisrugby League at UP-Tuks and ran out resounding 63-0 winners.
Looking to that game Kirsten is acutely aware of the fact that no side should be taken lightly.
"When you play in an elite competition like this you have to take every team seriously."
With this said Kirsten knows that his side has the ability to qualify for the knock-out stage of the competition.
"If we stop making the same mistakes we have been making and if the player front-up I have complete confidence in my side.
"We are going to have to try and get maximum points but the first target is to win.
"Every week is a final for us now," Kirsten concluded.
The Mopanie side take on Villagers, who are unbeaten in the tournament after beating Steinhoff Northernz comfortably 24-5 in their opening game.
It is a huge fixture, as Kirsten mentions, and will be crucial in their attempts for a play-off berth.
