Defending champs FNB UFS Shimlas excited about their 'quarter-final' against Tuks

Defending champions, FNB UFS Shimlas, have shifted their mindset to knockout rugby ahead of their crucial final-round game against the FNB UP-Tuks in the capital city on Monday.

The equation is simple for the team from Bloemfontein—win with a bonus point or go home. That’s why they are treating this game as a quarter final. The Shimlas need to earn five points to advance to the semi-finals, or the North-West University Eagles could snatch the last playoff spot.

Their 40-26 defeat to the FNB UCT Ikeys in Cape Town on Monday at the Green Mile was certainly a setback, but they can take confidence from securing a crucial bonus point.

Coach André Tredoux said that despite the danger of seeing their title defence come to an end on Monday, the team remains upbeat, confident, and determined not to surrender.

“I must say, the character of the Shimla boys really stood out towards the end of that game because they had to score three tries in the last 20 minutes to secure that bonus point,” said Tredoux.

“Otherwise, we would probably not have had our fate in our own hands. So, the boys are really pumped after getting that four-try bonus point down at Ikeys because now our destiny is in our own hands.”

Tredoux admitted that they weren’t at their best, making too many errors and being somewhat caught off guard by the conditions. However, he emphasised that these are the controllable aspects they need to focus on.

“We are the Shimlas—we obviously play a quality brand of running rugby. The boys are really excited because they know what’s at stake,” Tredoux added.

“The next three weeks are championship weeks, so we’re going to give everything to make them the best possible three weeks.

“Basically, we have to win with a bonus point, and then NWU can’t catch us. To keep it in our own hands, we need to win with a bonus point and score four tries. And when the Shimlas play well, we can score four tries.”

Monday night’s game in Pretoria is sure to be a thriller, with two of the top sides going head-to-head.

Fixtures: HERE 

Tickets: HERE