Maties are keeping their feet firmly on the ground while maintaining their push for a place in the knockout phase of the competition.
The team secured a vital bonus point in their 70-27 victory over TUT on Monday night. They dominated the visitors from the outset and lead 38-12 at half-time.
They wrapped up the match and bonus point after the third quarter, leading 55-15. TUT nearly outscored the hosts in the final stanza, but Maties still maintained the intensity to finish with 70 points on the night.
This result moved Maties to 14 log points and also vastly improved their goal difference to 40.
Despite playing with such intensity on Monday night the team still had a gym session early on Tuesday morning and fitness later the afternoon.
To make sure the players are literally keeping their heads in the game the team had to complete questionnaires about their mental state and this ensures that each player can perform to their best, both mentally and physically.
Tanya Powell, wife of newly appointed coach of the South African Sevens team, looks after the wellbeing of the players and has done an exceptional job up to date.
The challenge now is to beat two teams who both occupy higher spots on the log, with Shimlas current sitting pretty in the second spot. Tukkies are slightly ahead at this stage with 15 points on the log, but will certainly collect the maximum against UCT come Monday.
Maties have no choice but to inflict only a second defeat of the season on the Shimlas if they are to take control of their own destiny.
Catch the match on channel 229 on Supersport from 19:30, and if you are in Bloemfontein be sure to make your way to the Callie Human Hall to see these two teams battle it out.
By Dorfling Terblanche
