Bateman eyes improvement
FNB UKZN head coach Bryan Bateman knows his side will need a convincing performance against FNB Fort Hare if they are to revive their hopes in the 2011 Varsity Shield.
Not only have the Pietermaritzburg-based team lost their opening two games in the all-new competition, but they have also failed to score a try in either game - something which Bateman believes they will have to put right... and quickly.
He told varsitycup.co.za: "Obviously it is a concern, but I do believe that we have the ability to score tries."
UKZN were outplayed in their first game against FNB UWC in Bellville, losing 33-9, and then went down to a second-half rally by log-leaders Wits in their first home game on Monday night.
Bateman explained: "We certainly created opportunities in the game against UWC but individual errors cost us. I was a lot happier with the performance against Wits, but the wet conditions made it quite difficult."
The UKZN Impi took a 9-8 lead into the half-time break against Wits, but were sunk by two second-half tries which they had no answer for.
The KwaZulu-Natal boss commented: "All credit to Wits, they came out strong in the second half and scored two well-worked tries. We made one or two crucial errors which gave them some momentum, but we will learn from the experience."
Bateman is well aware that his team will need to start putting the lessons they have learnt so far into practice when they host the University of Fort Hare (also known as the Blues) at the Peter Booysen Sports Park in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, February 14. (Kick-off 7pm.)
He said: "We are aware that we haven't really done anything of note yet, so there is a certain amount of pressure on us now.
"Judging from their game against Wits in Alice, Fort Hare are a spirited side who are competitive at the breakdown with some exciting backline players. However, if we execute our structures effectively I believe we have what it takes to get a positive result," he added.
The two sides are the only teams in the competition who have failed to register a victory thus far, so the UKZN faithful can certainly expect a fiercely fought battle on Monday night.
By Michael de Vries
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