Bloemfontein – The Central University of Technology’s rugby team, Ixias, might have booked home final in this year’s Varsity Shield, but skipper Kholo Ramashala said it is not yet over.
Ahead of their clash against University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Impi tonight, Ramashala told Courant Sport that they might have booked a place in the final, but the last match of the round robin is as vital as the final, therefore a win is imperative.
“We are aiming for a win to boost our confidence ahead of next week’s final,” Ramashala said.
CUT will hope to pick up where they left off against University of Fort Hare. Ramashala and his troops beat Fort Hare 28-18 and are confident they’ll be able to do the same against Impi.
“We used the week we were off to recover and rejuvenate which is what we needed. With that said, we have prepared well for tonight’s match. The boys are ready and we just need to perform,” he added.
The last time these two sides met was back in January in the competition opener in Bloemfontein where the home side came out victorious with a narrow 26-25.
The speedster admitted it would not be easy on the home-ground of a side that is still optimistic about making the final.
UKZN need a win against the Ixias in order to secure a spot in the final. Should they fail to win and Fort Hare, who are also in action tonight against Tshwane University of Technology, get a victory at home, the latter will make the final.
The match at Peter Booysen Park, in Pietermaritzburg kicks off at 19:00, while the tie between Fort Hare and TUT also gets underway at 19:00 at Davidson Rugby Stadium, Alice.
CUT Ixias team: 15. Noel Marx;14. Kholo Ramashala; 13. Charles Hitchcock; 12. Johan Nel; 11. Johan van Schalkwyk; 10. Duan Pretorius; 9. Stephen Griesel; 8. Dean Kouprianoff; 7. Johann Grundlingh; 6.Moekoa Bofolo; 5. Lyvette Shikwambana; 4. Fanie Coetzer; 3. Danie van der Merwe; 2. Deon Gouws; 1. Len Noort. Replacements: 16. Danie de Jager; 17. Gerhard Baard; 18. Vincent Maruping; 19. Theuns Truter; 20. Marius Grobler; 21. Alec Mhlanga; 22. Mosego Toolo; 23. Hanro Liebenberg.
