The top four may have already been decided, but there will be plenty to play for at both ends of the table when the league phase of Varsity Football comes to an end on Monday.

Just two log points seperate the four semifinalists, so they will all have their sights set on securing home advantage for the knock-out stage next week.

The bottom four all know that this will be their last match of the season, so they wil be giving it everything in an effort to go out with a bang.

We take a closer look at the match-ups:

UWC v UCT
(UWC Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 16.30 live on Supersport)

Things kick off on Monday afternoon with the big Cape derby as UWC host UCT. The hosts can finish in fifth place if things go their way, but more importantly local bragging rights will be on the line.

UCT are still looking for their first Varsity Football win, and will be desperate to lift themselves off the bottom of the standings, so there will be no lack of motivation for either side.

The Ikeys showed great fighting spirit against powerhouses NWU in Mafikeng last week, and they will be keen to build on that performance and finally follow through with a win.

UWC will relish the opportunity to play in front of their home crowd one last time, and they will also be encouraged by their performance in Pretoria last week when they went down to Tuks by a single goal.

Prediction: Passion is likely to play as big a role as skill, but UWC have home advantage so we are backing them to win a tight match by one goal.

Teams:

UWC: 1 Basikelele Mdletye, 2 Vincent Sobekwa, 5 Cleo Pokpas, 4 Robbin Swartz, 23 Robin van Rensburg, 18 Lulama Lolwana, 8 Thando Ziwele, 15 Unathi Segodi, 20 Lungelo Nokele, 9 Curtley Buekes, 11 Oupa Sawukazi.
Reserves: 16 Mthobeli Lithiko, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 7 Sinovuyo Ranana, 25 Reon October, 6 Siseko Lapi, 17 Mfundo Majola, 24 Thabang Makhubedu.

UCT: 1 Bevan Adonis, 19 Anees Cozyn, 6 Byron Donaldson, 21 Jonathan Melamdowitz, 12 Velaphi Vilakazi, 20 Thami Mehlo, 25 Lwazi Maziya, 15 Dollie Mogomat, 7 Lukas Metzmacher, 10 Mcebisi Mtshali, 14 Wisy Namaseb.
Reserves: 3 Thabiso Mmotlana, 11 Mwansa Chalwe, 4 Shane Classen, 18 PJ Roberts, 17 Lerato Ngwenya, 22 Fransisco Paiva, 16 Thami Malusi.

NWU v UP-Tuks
(Mafikeng Sports Fields, Mafikeng – Kick-off: 19.00)

NWU will have revenge on their minds when they host Tuks in a blockbuster clash in Mafikeng which could decide which team hosts a semifinal next week.

Tuks beat NWU twice at the USSA competition last year – in the first game and then in the final – so the hosts will be determined to turn that around and gain a psychological edge over one of the favourites ahead of the play-offs.

Tuks come into the clash with great momentum having won their last three games, but they are up against a quality NWU outfit that will have the loyal Mafikeng crowd right behind them.

The two team’s records this season are astonishingly similar with exactly the same number of wins and log points, but a draw will see NWU finish ahead of Tuks as they have a slightly better goal difference.

Adding extra spice to this game is the news this week that NWU striker Thabo Mnyamane, who is the tournament’s leading goal-scorer, has signed for Tuks’ PSL team AmaTuks.

Prediction: There is little to choose between the teams and for that reason we think this one will be a draw.

Teams:

NWU: 98 Tebogo Mosia, 7 Sipho Mateis, 3 Kenneth Bodibe, 23 Tshenolo Machwisa, 21 Junior Leeuw, 5 Kyle Amon, 13 Zakhele Mashiyi, 15 Matsobane Matsi, 17 Sandile Mbatha, 20 Sylvester Moses, 10 Thabo Mnyamane.
Reserves: 45 Kagiso Modimoeng, 8 Shane April, 6 Luthando Ntokwenzani, 4 Xola Mlambo, Atang Khosa, 9 Abednigo Rantese.

UP-Tuks: 26 Tristyn Coetsee, 6 Kabelo Ramongane, 12 Kenneth Matlala, 19 Charles Gulwako, 5 Lawrence Ntswane, 3 Claudio Barreiro, 13 Sphelele Khuzwayo, 15 Jarryd van den Berg, 8 Nii-Ordartey Mills, 20 Tabo Ndlovu, 4 Mosa Sesele.
Reserves: 16 Sipho Masemola, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 11 Richard Moremi, 18 Nicholas Killas, 10 Moeketsi Modiba, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 9 Mbongeni Masilela.

TUT v Wits
(TUT Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 19.00 live on Supersport)

Log-leaders TUT will be looking to secure top spot on the standings with a win against a Wits team that has struggled to find the net all season.

The Tshwane side and their home fans thought that they had victory wrapped up against NMMU last week only for Madibaz defender Niven Kops to grab a dramatic equaliser in the dying seconds, so they will be keen to put that right.

Apart from the three points on offer, a big win over Wits will give TUT valuable confidence ahead of what will be a testing semifinal fixture next week no matter who they face.

The visitors have little to lose and they will be looking to end the competition on a high by knocking over the unbeaten TUT side in front of their home fans.

The Johannesburg side have just two goals to show for their efforts this season, so expect them to throw everything into attack as they look to reverse that trend.

Prediction: Wits will fight hard but TUT have too much class and should win this one at home by about two goals.

Teams:

TUT: 18 Solly Matlou, 19 Mbongeni Mpanza, 8 Kgotso Mohlomi, 5 Elliot Seema, 2 Themba Nkosi, 12 Khomotso Selemela, 4 Khuliso Rashamuse, 10 Andrew Mashigo, 16 Selby Madibana, 15 Doctor Radebe, 9 Botshelo Mfulwane.
Reserves: 23 Motlogeleng Gininda, 13 Oneth Mhangwana, 11 Sizwe Khumalo, 6 Sidney Seromo, 20 Sanele Sikhakhane, 7 Sonwabiso Busakwe, 17 Sibusiso Simelane.

Wits: 1 Paulos Mohale, 4 Nelson Mwale, 5 Markus Lecki, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 3 Fulufhelani Munyai, 11 Neo Makua, 17 Bandile Mathandela, 14 Sanele Njoko, 7 Keorpetse Molete, 9 Phuti Leboho, 8 Phenyo Mongalo.
Reserves: 22 Joseph Mushi, 2 Manuel Makafane, 6 Tebogo Digoamaje, 18 Innocent Magasela, 10 Zachary Cohen, 24 Tshepo Motsukunyane, 23 Daniel Ferreira.

NMMU v UFS
(NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth – Kick-off: 19.00)

Despite being one of only two unbeaten sides in the competition, the NMMU Madibaz find themselves in fourth position on the standings, and they will be hoping for a win over UFS and a draw up in Mafikeng to leapfrog their way to a home semifinal.

They face a UFS team that will be full of confidence after their first win of the season against Wits last week, so the Free State side will be backing themselves to claim another scalp on the road and ruin NMMU’s party.

The Madibaz will be without influential defender Niven Kops and their leading goal-scorer Robin van Rensburg, but they will have the support of the home crowd as they look for their fourth win of the season.

A win for UFS will see them seal fifth place on the standings, which will be some consolation after a disappointing campaign, but they will have their work cut out for them breaking down the disciplined NMMU defensive system.

Prediction: UFS will go flat out in their last game, but we are backing the home fans to inspire the Madibaz to a win by one goal.

Teams:

NMMU: 16 Lyndsay Jennings, 20 Lundi Balfour, 5 Cornelius Matuoane, 3 Andile Mtyingizane, 19 Lukhanyo Sompondo, 6 Kurt Duff, 17 Onneetse Leboifo, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 25 Bradley Peterson, 13 Vuoyolwethu Marele.
Reserves: 1 Enver Vogel, 21 Zukisani Mtendeni, 12 Onela Beqezi, 11 Kieran Koert, 23 Chuma Fobo, 4 Peter Thekisho, 9 Alexander Owusu.

UFS: 3 Unathi Mabandla, 17 Jarred Meyer, 4 Thato Skaut, 20 Khotso Tjemolane, 6 Manxubandile Bantshi, 8 Ricco Sutil, 7 Phori Motsomai, 11 Simon Modupi, 15 Themba Zimo, 18 Ernest Mohloki, 9 JJ Groenewald.
Reserves: 1 Malefane Mokhachane, 2 Lehlohonolo Ramolebo, 16 Serasengoe Moodie, 23 Sandisile November, 13 Marothodi Phillies , 21 Elzandro Lewis, 25 Lehlohonolo Mokoena.

By Michael de Vries