Last year’s beaten Varsity Football finalists NMMU will have a tough job on their hands first-up as they welcome NWU to Port Elizabeth for the opening game of the season.
The Madibaz surprised many by making it through to the final unbeaten in the inaugural tournament last year, but captain Kurt Duff knows that they will not be able to play the underdogs this time around.
“It will be different this year, last year we were underdogs in most of our games but this year it will be a bit different. You have got to deal with that, I think we learned last year even through the competition teams started saying ‘listen here these guys aren’t underdogs’ so I think we are prepared for that,” he said.
Duff leads a side that includes a fair number of last year’s team, so they will hope that their continuity will stand them in good stead against what is always a competitive NWU side.
NWU made a strong start to the tournament last year and were many people’s favourites to go on and take the title, but stumbled in their home semifinal against eventual champions UP-Tuks.
They will be intent on stamping their authority from the word go which should make for an intriguing clash.
Teams:
NMMU: 24 Lyndsay Jennings, 3 Warren Kops, 5 Athini Bisha, 16 Lundi Balfour, 12 Onela Beqezi, 11 Kieran Koert, 6 Kurt Duff, 4 Zukisani Mtendeni, 15 Alexander Owusu, 8 Lukanyo Rasmeni, 10 Cloudius Sagandira.
Substitutes: 1 Matthew Booysen, 2 Lukanyo Stemele, 7 Cornelius Matuoane, 9 Lukhanyo Ndabeta, 14 Simamkele Thobi, 21 Kevin Kevido, 19 Motlhabi Karabo.
NWU: 1 Amogelang Maduo, 7 Sipho Mateis, 2 Lebogang Phetlhu (captain), 5 Kyle Amon, 20 Tseko Weevirs, 21 Lebogang Motshegare, 6 Sandile Mbatha, 15 Matsobane Matsi, 17 Letlhogonolo Mirwa, 10 Orebotse Mongae, 9 Tshenolo Machwisa.
Substitutes: 18 Thapelo Tlabakwe, 11 Lindani Dudula, 13 Thatohatsi Santos, 12 Mogomotsi Molefe, 25 Goitseone Naane, 3 Sifiso Ngwenya, 16 Calvin Ntshudisang.
Date: Monday, July 21
Venue: Madibaz Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 16.30 (televised live on Supersport 204 and 210)
