The much anticipated FNB Varsity Cup 2025 campaign looms with the return of FNB UP-Tuks. The Stripe Generation bit dust in the 2023 season which saw them being relegated to the Varsity Shield. Dewey Swartbooi’s charges managed to redeem themselves with a record nine-match winning streak to return to the topflight.
Swartbooi says his is determined to bring the same energy into the Varsity Cup.
“It feels good to be back in Varsity Cup it’s a topflight or Varsity Rugby. There’s no difference to what we did last year in terms of preparations, our slogan was back to basics last year and this year is raising the standards. We just want to do well; we want to give good account of Tuks rugby, and the history says itself you first play for the badge.”
The five-time Varsity Cup champions will get to play three home games this season, opening their account away to FNB Wits in a Juskei River derby. With their 2024 captain Ethan Burger having bagged a huge move abroad to Exeter Chiefs, Swartbooi they are like newcomers again.
“Ethan Burger serves as a motivation for all of us, from Varsity Shield to a professional contract in England. He left a big void in the team, but it is also an opportunity for the young players to step up.
It is Varsity Cup for you, we are the new kids on the block again only the three home games. You have to play the cards and take it game by game. it will be definitely difficult playing most of your games away from home.”
“We have new additions in our squad, a centre in a form of Christiaan Vlok. He played for NWU last year in the Varsity Cup so he brings in much needed experience.” Concluded Dewey.
Provisional Squad: Edwin Till White, Allister Williams, Jean Fourie, Ruan van Blommestein, Dian Marais, Johan Louw, Jayd Austin, MJ Nel, Barnard Nortje, Oelof De Meyer, Roald Hattingh, Duncan Blignaut, Lilitha Matsiliza, Cayno February, JW Mare, David Engongo, Kamohelo Tlome, Abel Pretorius, Ben Jansen van Vuuren, Dillon Smith, Haydn Kemp, Daimon OConnell, Jayden Sam, Chad-Lee Valentine, JP Wentzel, Joshua Dampies, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Keane Galant, Christiaan Vlok, Munashe Dukuswa, Bayanda Ngubane, Jandre Burger, Tharquinn Manuel, JL van Rensburg, Ambesa Zenzile.
Fixtures: HERE
Tickets: HERE
By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego
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