The Gauteng derby between defending Varsity Football champions UP-Tuks and newcomers UJ will be about far more than just a local rivalry.
With two wins from two games UP-Tuks are the only side in the tournament with a perfect record, but they will surrender their place at the top of the standings if they lose to UJ in this mouth-watering clash.
Bradley Carnell’s side caused the biggest upset of the tournament so far when they beat last year’s beaten finalists NMMU 3-0 in their first home game last week, and now turn their attention to the defending champions.
UP-Tuks coach Evangelos Vellios knows exactly what to expect from the well-drilled UJ outfit, having drawn 2-2 with them at the USSA tournament.
Vellios has no intention of giving up their spot at the top, and is hopeful that the home fans will make a difference for his side in Pretoria on Monday.
“If we beat UJ on Monday then it puts us in a good position to secure a semifinal spot again, so we cannot afford to start dropping any points now,” he said.
Although they have won both their games, Vellios insists UP-Tuks can improve further and added that they will have to be on top of their game to get the better of UJ.
“We are very aware of what they are capable, it will be a tough match but we know their strengths so hopefully we can get another three points,” he said.
Teams:
UP-Tuks squad: 32 Lebo Ngubeni, 13 Lindsay Stowman, 8 Nicholas Killas, 2 Botshelo Mfulwane, 4 Lawrence Ntswane, 4 Jeremiah Nkwana, 18 Lucky Mathosi, 3 Robin Swartz (captain), 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 5 Simbongile Njokwe, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 17 Irvin Tshabalala, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 23 Vuze-Umuze Khoza, 15 Jarryd Van Den Berg, 7 Luke Steyl, 11 Richard Moremi.
UJ squad: 1 Trent Harrison, 3 Wisdom Mathebula, 4 Grant Bruchhausen, 6 Lwazi Nogenga, 7 Lerato Tleane, 9 Ruwell Jagger, 11 Tebogo Mandyu, 13 Tshepo Tolo, 14 Ruben De Freitas, 15 Sandro Claro, 18 Ponshu Nyathi, 2 Stuart Peverett, 2 Matthew Edwards, 8 Lumkile Dava, 19 Karl Clements, 12 Steven Sibanyoni, 16 Mfundo Mazibuko.
Date: Monday, August 4
Venue: Tuks Sports Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (Live on Supersport 204 and 210)
