FNB Maties determined to bounce back after second loss

FNB Maties find themselves in unfamiliar territory heading into Round 4. Last season’s runners-up find themselves in sixth place after suffering their second defeat of the campaign and will once again need to bounce back at home.

The men from Stellenbosch host FNB Varsity Cup debutants, FNB Emeris, who have struggled in the competition thus far. Emeris finds themselves rooted to the foot of the table with just a single point to their name after three consecutive defeats.

Maties will be looking for a morale-boosting win on their hallowed turf that would keep them within touching distance of the top four teams. The Maroon Machine are just four points behind the three teams above them – FNB UJ, FNB UCT Ikeys and FNB UFS Shimlas.

Flyhalf MC van Heerden Smith says the team are determined to put on more clinical display in front of their fans, “Yes, very excited! It’s always a massive privilege to run out on the Danie Craven to play the game we love”.

The 23-year-old admitted that while there’s disappointment in the camp, his side are full focused on bouncing back, “Disappointed but we are even more motivated to put up a great performance and turn this competition around”.

“Executing the plan” is a big focus for the men from Stellenbosch, “We are mostly focused on implementing the game plan and the scoreboard will take care of itself” said the flyhalf.

There’s a sense of hunger to bounce back within the Maties camp in order to get their campaign back on track as we approach the business end of the competition.

Van Heerden Smith added, “We are keen to get going. We are just focused on our process and executing what we have planned”.

By: Kieryn Thompson