After two days of action packed sevens rugby between the best universities in the country, the time has come to separate the best teams and determine who the winners will be. On Monday the Cup semi-finals will be contested between Pukke vs UWC and Maties vs Tuks as North battles South for spots in the final.
Before that, though, the Walter Sisulu University will tackle the University of Fort Hare in the shield final as the East London rivals clash. Kovsies will take on UCT in one of the two Plate semi-finals, with UJ facing off against the NMMU Madibaz.
Shield Final: WSU vs UFH
WSU and UFH have provided fans with much enjoyment in their celebrations over the past two days and one can be sure that the winner of the Shield final will definitely entertain the crowd and viewers. On Sunday it was WSU who came from behind to win the pool clash when the two sides met.
Plate Semi-final: Kovsies vs UCT
Defending champions, Kovsies, have been far from the side they were a year ago and suffered a massive 50-10 in their final pool game on day two against Maties. They will need to be on their toes when they face UCT, who have also been far from their best and is there a lot to play for when they two sides meet in the Plate semi-finals.
Plate Semi-final: UJ vs Madibaz
UJ have scored some brilliant tries in this competition but have let in too many tries through defensive problems and they will hope that those problems are a thing of the past when they play the Madibaz in the other Plate semi-final. The men from PE will be hoping to finish the tournament on a high on Monday.
Cup Semi-final: Pukke vs UWC
The two biggest matches of the semi-finals will, however, be the ones between Pukke and UWC and Maties and Tuks. Pukke finished the pool stages on top of the standings after some brilliant displays of attacking rugby. They will have to be wary of the men of UWC, who have proven again this year that they are a major force to be reckoned with in this format of rugby. UWC beat Pukke in the pool match on day two.
Cup Semi-final: Maties vs Tuks
The old foes, Maties and Tuks will also provide major fireworks in their Cup semi-final clash, with Maties looking to make ammends for their 24-0 defeat to the side from Pretoria in the pool stages. Tuks were clinical on day two, undefeated and sending important signs to their other cup contenders.
By Andre Huisamen
