Wearing the orange jersey of FNB UJ, the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup is Likhona Finca’s first taste of premier university rugby.
The centre, who hails from Westville Boys High, says the switch from high school rugby to Varsity rugby has been a different ball game.
“It has been quite tough. It’s not the same as high school but I was able to adjust well.”
Despite the Orange Army languishing at the bottom of the log and out of contention for the playoffs, Finca says he still looks forward to what promises to be a prosperous rugby career. For Finca, the Varsity Cup is just the beginning as he was called up by the Lions to dot pen to paper as part of their scouted players.
“I haven’t played for the Lions yet but moving forward my experience in the Varsity Cup will help elevate (me) on that platform.”
UJ are in a precarious position on the log but may just have done enough to avoid relegation and come back next year to compete in the Varsity Cup again.
“It has been a tough season. Our coaches have been incredible and have done their best and so has the team. Now we need to focus on what lies ahead,” says Finca.
The Orange Army’s last match is on Monday 8 April at home against a struggling FNB UWC who are yet to win this season. According to Finca, it will be business as usual.
“The mood does not change when we face them. As much as they haven’t won a game this season, they are not going to back down. Last week (against FNB Wits) we also went into that match without a single win this season and look how it turned out. So, anything can happen in that game. We just have to stick to our plan.”
by Karabo Peter
