CUT cautiously optimistic...
FNB Varsity Shield rugby champions, the Ixias of CUT, are cautiously optimistic ahead of their next clash - when they take on the University of Fort Hare on their home ground; Bloemfontein's CUT Rugby Stadium.
The Free Staters are, after two wins against Wits and UKZN, optimistic but Inus Kritzinger's men are, at the same time, cautious because the visitors recorded their first win on Monday beating the Impis - of UKZN - by 36-21 in Alice.
With Fort Hare scoring four tries for a bonus point Ixias know that their defence will have to be outstanding to keep speedsters like Garth van Rayner and Aziyena Mandaba at bay.
At the same time, CUT will rely heavy on their strong forwards to give them a platform to launch their attacks, but with the adventurous Charlie Hitchcock back at fullback they could run the ball a bit more.
It is, however, the strong front row with players such as Baksteen van Heerden, Rudie Britz, Rudi Fuls, Deon Gouws, Petri Coetzee and Danie van der Merwe that could cause problems for Fort Hare and starve them of the ball.
Also, whilst on the topic of set-piece play, the Ixias should have the upperhand at line-out time with jumpers like Gavin Annandale, Shaun McGeer and Donovan Ball in the mix.
With Kritzinger and Jannie Myburgh behind a winning pack to make the decisions, Fort Hare could be under big pressure especially with their opponents no doubt gunning for four-try bonus points.
* In team news, the Ixias will be without their two first choice number eights, Ruan Lombaard (injured) and Juan Botha (suspended), but luckily have a very good replacement in Donovan Ball.
The teams (possible):
FNB CUT: 15 Charlie Hitchcock, 14 Alec Mhlanga, 13 Leon Pretorius, 12 Maphelo Mpondo, 11 Nico Steenkamp, 10 Jannie Myburgh, 9 Inus Kritzinger (captain), 8 Donavan Ball, 7 Frans Sisita, 6 Francois Harvey, 5 Gavin Annandale, 4 Shaun McGeer, 3 Danie van der Merwe, 2 Baksteen van Heerden, 1 Rudie Fuls.
Replacements: 16 Deon Gouws, 17 Rudi Britz, 18 Petri Coetzee, 19 Darius Viljoen, 20 Grant Shia, 21 Stephan Griesel, 22 Jacques Bussack, 23 Noel Marx.
FNB UFH: 15 Siphosenkosi Nofemele, 14 Garth van Rayner, 13 Lundi Ralarala, 12 Saneliso Ngoma, 11 Aziyena Mandaba, 10 Banda Masixole, 9 Sibabalwe Mtsulwana, 8 Thando Ndondo (captain), 7 Onke Dubase, 6 Billy Dutton, 5 Bongani Mwahla, 4 Nkosikhona Nofuma, 3 Xola Mapapu, 2 Vuyisani Mavuso, 1 Lwando Mabenge.
Replacements: 16 Luzuko Nyabaza, 17 Sive Ntwasa, 18 Itumeleng Mokae, 19 Abongile Dlani, 20 Anele Tsiko, 21 Khanyiso Komani, 22 Lunga Dumezweni, 23 Sihle Mtwa.
Date: Monday, February 13
Venue: CUT Rugby Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: Pieter Janse van Vuuren
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