When they take to the field in Pretoria against FNB Madibaz this afternoon (Friday 12 April) at 15:00, FNB UP-Tuks only have one mission – to restore their pride and be the only unbeaten team in the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield competition.
The first two boxes, reaching the knockouts and securing a home semi-final, have already been ticked. Should they beat the visitors from the Eastern Cape, the Stripe Generation will finish top of the log and will return to the FNB Varsity Cup next season.
Head coach Deway Swartbooi remains confident in his side with the tasks set for them.
“There is still this week’s game against a very good Madibaz team and then the semi-finals ahead, if anything credit must go to the squad, but it remains a work in progress.”
According to Swartbooi, they are expecting a tough game against Madibaz.
“It is going to be one hell of a game, Madibaz are quality and well-coached. I think both teams will want to achieve promotion automatically, it is the ultimate for any Shield team.”
This year was the first time that Tuks competed in the Varsity Shield after being relegated from the Varsity Cup last year following their bottom-of-the-log position.
Going into this year’s campaign the Pretoria side had plans set and needed to explore the depth of their squad. Swartbooi hails his side for the effort they have put in.
“The boys really worked hard and there’s always room for improvement. We are still waiting for that perfect game, but we are happy as the coaching staff for the weekly improvements and efforts from our boys.
“I didn’t realise the kicking depth, I think we are trying to find the right balance between the two, kicking game and running game. At one stage in the competition, we were down in the fly-half department, so we had to build some sort of depth.”
by Lehlogonolo Ditshego
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