Champions vs champions as the Ikey Tigers take on FNB Emeris

The Ikey Tigers will be back on the road in round three of the FNB Varsity Cup as they travel to Durban to take on newly promoted FNB Emeris under the Monday night lights. The defending champions will be boosted by their statement 49-point win over FNB CUT in the second round

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The men from Cape Town started slow in that clash but grew in stature as the game ticked on, running in a total of 11 tries at the Green Mile. That performance will certainly give them confidence as they look to build momentum after their first round slip up.

Jack Benade delivered a sizzling performance down the right wing for the Ikey Tigers. He got himself on the scoresheet on two occasions which earned him the FNB Player that Rocks award. The defending champions will be out to improve their form away from home after kickstarting their season.

“So far I’ve found the tournament pretty exciting, I feel like the tournament is filled with lots of different brands of rugby coming from all the different teams… although it’s tough on the body it’s still such a cool tournament to experience and be a part of,” he said.

Benade believes his side will get better as the season progresses and elaborated on the sense of optimism connected to the club.

“The mood around the club is filled with excitement, we believe we have so much more to show and we’re only going to be getting better as the tournament goes on.”

He added that despite suffering a setback in their opener, their approach hasn’t changed.

“I don’t think our plans have changed really, obviously we have different strategies for different games, but we trust our system put out by our coaches and we have trust in the Ikey playing style – that it can take us all the way in this tournament.”

UCT now sit in fourth place heading into their trip to FNB Emeris and have their sights set on building consistency which would earn them more points and push further up the table.

Benade feels they are well prepared for their travels.

“Our prep for round 3 has been great, the boys are feeling brave and confident in our plan… Now, we just excited to express ourselves on the field on Monday.”

By: Kieryn Thomson.