UP-Tuks have named an unchanged starting XI to face UFS in their final regular season match at Tuks Stadium on Thursday.
It will effectively be a quarterfinal of sorts for the Stripe Generation as although they occupy fifth place on the log, they are on equal points with UWC and TUT while their opponents are a point above them and occupy the number two spot on the log.
UP-Tuks head coach, Tlisane Motaung understands the gravity of the situation and that his charges have to focus on what they do during the early kick-off (16:00, live on SuperSport 4) before following match updates from elsewhere.
“We have little choice but to beat them and hope that other results go our way,” Motaung tells varsitysportssa.com.
“[This season] has proved to be a congested season as many teams, including ourselves, have dropped points when we needed to win so it will be a big day for many of the the teams,” Motaung went on.
The third-year mentor is understandably wary of the Free State outfit, who have arguably been the surprise package on their return to Varsity Football – following a five-year battle to re-qualify.
“UFS have proven to be a dangerous outfit and can strike at will so we will have to be on our best form and secure the points. The rest will be fate,” Motaung concludes.
UP-Tuks (vs UFS): 16. Giovanni Idi (GK), 7. Jurgen Booysen, 3. Sabelo Tsambo, 23. Chinedu Okolo, 8. Wandile Dlamini, 24. Jerry Tlou, 20. Katlego Motlhatsang (capt), 26. Mathuane Selotola, 10. Mogau Khwinana, 11. Lebohang Montueli, 9. Nhlanhla Mabaso.
Replacements: 18. Tyler Den Heyer (GK), 2. Tobatsi Roets, 4. Edward Rankwe, 14. Ross Marshall, 15. Siphamandla Ntuli, 22. Curtis Mathebula, 25. Sive Mfala.
Kick-off for Thursday’s game is at 16:00 and will televised live on SuperSport 4, while tickets are available on the Varsity Sports App (for iOS and Android users) and here: https://varsitysportsa.plankton.mobi/
By Dan Lombard
