6 September 2018 – The men from Durban are confident they can claim their win in Varsity Football when they host UL at the Howard College Stadium on Thursday.
The Durban Boys have yet to see victory in 2018 but will gain confidence after two consecutive draws in some high-scoring games. They drew to UWC 3-3 in an exhilarating match up before reaching a 2-2 stalemate with Pretoria powerhouses TUT.
UKZN skipper Nqubeko Dlamini is adamant that they can use this game to escape to reward their loyal fans.
“Thursday’s game against UL will be a great one for our forever loyal fans. We’ve had a disappointing debut season no doubt, but we owe it to our amazing fans to at least win one game in this year’s competition.
“Come Thursday we’ll go all out against UL and play for our fans and give back to them for sticking with us through thick and thin. We haven’t won a game in the Varsity Football ever, so we are looking to this game to make history.”
UKZN host UL at the Howard College Rugby Stadium at 18:30 on 6 September.
Wits face tenacious TUT
Wits will hope to overcome TUT and secure a home semi-final when they host the Pretoria side on Thursday evening at the Wits Stadium.
TUT will be tricky customers though. The men from Tshwane have a lethal arsenal spear-headed by the ever-industrious Lebogang Phatlane. The men from Braamfontein have surprised everyone with their season, winning four out of six, drawing one and losing one fixture.
Wits Vice-captain Mahle Mtabane explained that his side is not resting on their laurels and are focused on claiming the win on Thursday.
“Although we have already qualified for the semi-finals, we are looking to secure a home Semi-final by all means. It’s not going to be an easy, no game has been easy this season, especially considering that it’s a must win for TUT in order to secure a Semi-final spot.”
Mtabane believes that a win in the Jukskei Derby will give them momentum going into the business stages of the competition.
“TUT are no push over side and everybody knows that. We are going to need to work hard in order to win and make sure we don’t lose the game. This game is going to be one that sets the tone going into the knockout stages.
“Our supporters have been the people pushing us when we’re on that field and we wouldn’t want to disappoint them, we will need them more during the knockout stages and the only way we’ll keep their support.”
Wits will kick-off against TUT at 18:30 on Thursday at the Wits Stadium.
Do or die for NWU against UJ
NWU are expecting an intense clash when they host UJ at the NWU-Mafikeng Stadium on Thursday.
A win is imperative for the Noble Boys to book a semi-final spot, they currently sit on fifth spot with nine points and have the opportunity of jumping either TUT or UP-Tuks assuming one of the Pretoria sides lose.
UJ in the other hand are looking to top the Varsity Football log going into the semi-final. The Orange Army are on 14 points with Wits breathing down their necks on 13 points.
NWU captains Wendell Martin is aware of the permutations and that nothing but victory will do if they want a semi-final spot.
“We face another encounter against this year’s favorite UJ. I suspect that it will be a high intensity game and for us as NWU it’s a do or die game for us, as win against UJ could put us in contention of being in the semi-finals.
“UJ have a talented bunch of players who are quick but I trust that my technical team will help us prepare well for this week’s game, as we have lost three games in a row after starting off pretty well.”
Despite the difficult task at hand Martin is adamant that his players can succeed.
“I trust that all the boys in the NWU camp will be highly motivated to play their hearts out, and I also believe that they are also ready to represent the institution to the best of their abilities.
“Anything can happen in football and victory is never guaranteed but through hard work, persistence and playing with courage could really boost the spirits of the boys which will help us achieve the goal, we as a team, have set of ourselves.”
NWU host UJ at 18:15 at the NWU-Mafikeng Stadium on Thursday, 6 September.
UP-Tuks desperate for a win in Cape Town
The Stripe Generation will know they need a victory when they face UWC in Belville on Thursday evening.
If the Varsity Football season were to end at round six, UP-Tuks would be on their way to a semi-final but unfortunately for them they still have a tough clash with UWC to battle through.
The men from Pretoria are at third spot on the table with 11 points and if they fail to claim a win at the Operation Room and NWU manage to thwart UJ, they could see themselves drop out of the semi-finals completely.
UWC on the other hand will be playing for pride when they host the former champions. The lone Western Cape side have lost three games out of six and will be looking to restore some pride in their season. A victory over the most successful team in Varsity Football will give them a platform to build off for next season.
UWC hosts UP-Tuks at the UWC Sports Stadium at 16:00 on Thursday.