It is knock-out time in Varsity Football, with two mouth-watering semifinals in Pretoria on Monday.

Both matches have an air of ‘unfinished business’ about them which should make for some gripping action with a spot in the final on the line.

In the first semifinal UP-Tuks host NWU in a replay of their Round Seven clash in Mafikeng last week which saw the USSA champions secure home advantage and their third consecutive victory over NWU with a late goal.

The second semifinal will see table-toppers TUT welcome NMMU to Pretoria for the second time this season.

In their previous encounter NMMU salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw with a last-gasp goal so TUT will be out to set the record straight.

To add to the drama, competition rules say that there will be no extra time in the event of the semifinals ending in a draw, which means that they wil go straight to penalty shoot-outs.

UP-Tuks v NWU
(LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 16.30 live on Supersport)

As USSA finalists last year Tuks and NWU started the competition as favourites, but it has not been plain sailing for either side.

Tuks made a disappointing start to the competition, but then built some good momentum to finish strong and secure a home semifinal.

NWU on the other hand started the competition like a house on fire, racking up nine goals in their first two matches before hitting something of a slump in form.

There will be absolutely no love lost between the sides after last week’s clash in Mafikeng which saw Tuks steal victory with a late goal.

NWU now face the tough task of bouncing back from three consecutive defeats to their rivals, and they will have to do it away from home as well.

The two sides also represent something of a clash of styles, with NWU relying on their free-flowing attacking play and Tuks placing more of a focus on a solid defence and their counter-attacking abilities.

It all makes for what should be a classic encounter between two great sides with little to choose between the teams.

Prediction: Either team could take this one, but Tuks are playing at home and have won their last four games so we are backing them to win by one goal.

Teams:

UP-Tuks: 26 Tristyn Coetsee, 6 Kabelo Ramongane, 12 Kenneth Matlala, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 5 Lawrence Ntswane, 3 Claudio Barreiro, 13 Sphelele Khuzwayo, 15 Jarryd van den Berg, 10 Moeketsi Modiba, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 4 Mosa Sesele.
Reserves: 16 Sipho Masemola, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 11 Richard Moremi, 18 Nicholas Killas, 19 Charles Gulwako, 8 Nii-Ordartey Mills, 23 John-Ross Kganane, 14 Keegan Boulle.

NWU: 98 Tebogo Mosia, 7 Sipho Mateis, 5 Kyle Amon, 24 Lebogang Phetlhu, 3 Kenneth Bodibe, 17 Sandile Mbatha, 6 Luthando Ntokwenzani, 4 Xola Mlambo, 20 Sylvester Moses, 10 Thabo Mnyamane, 9 Abednigo Rantese.
Reserves: 16 Calvin Ntshudisane, 23 Tshenolo Machwisa, 21 Junior Leeuw, 13 Zakhele Mashiyi, 15 Matsobane Matsi, 8 Shane April, 14 Ryan van der Westhuizen.

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

The only two unbeaten sides in the competition will do battle in the second semifinal, with one of them set to lose that status by the end of the night.

TUT have set the pace in Varsity Football since their 4-1 away win against Tuks in the opening round, and fully deserve the advantage of playing on front of their home fans.

NMMU are a highly disciplined outfit that have surprised many with their consistent performances, so they will be looking to spring another upset.

The visitors have talismanic defender Niven Kops back from suspension and leading goal-scorer Leroy van Rensburg joins him in the starting line-up after missing last week’s game against UFS through injury.

The memory of their 2-2 draw earlier in the season will provide motivation for both sides with TUT keen to set the record straight after letting NMMU back into the game and the Madibaz hoping to go one better.

NMMU have proven that they do not mind travelling, so they will not lack for confidence but by thr same token TUT’s enthusiastic fans could inspire their team to raise their game to even higher standards.

Prediction: NMMU will fight hard as usual, but TUT should have too much firepower so we are backing them to win by one goal.

Teams:

TUT: 1 King Ndlovu, 19 Mbongeni Mpanza, 8 Kgotso Mohlomi, 5 Elliot Seema, 2 Themba Nkosi, 13 Oneth Mhangwana, 4 Khuliso Rashamuse, 10 Andrew Mashigo, 16 Selby Madibana, 15 Doctor Radebe, 9 Botshelo Mfulwane.
Reserves: 18 Solly Matlou, 12 Khomotso Selemela, 6 Khomotso Ledwaba, 11 Sizwe Khumalo, 6 Sidney Seromo, 20 Enos Mokoana, 17 Msizi Zungu.

NMMU: 16 Lyndsay Jennings, 20 Lundi Balfour, 13 Vuyolwethu Marele, 22 Niven Kops, 19 Lukhanyo Sompondo, 6 Kurt Duff, 17 Onneetse Leboifo, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 7 Leroy van Rensburg, 9 Alexander Owusu.
Reserves: 1 Enver Vogel, 25 Bradley Peterson, 21 Zukisani Mtendeni, 12 Onela Beqezi, 11 Kieran Koert, 4 Peter Thekisho, 3 Andile Mtyingizane.

By Michael de Vries