FNB Wits bring a younger team to this year’s FNB Varsity Cup under the stewardship of coach Hugo van As.
2022 results: Played: 9, Won: 4, Lost: 5, Log position: 7th
The team will be led by hooker Dameon Venter who is appearing in his fourth Varsity Cup campaign. The 2023 Wits squad have an array of recruits, which brings plenty of excitement for the upcoming season.
Van As says their preparations were hampered somewhat towards the end of last year as players were involved with exams.
“We certainly got out the blocks a lot slower compared to other years but did eventually manage to regroup quite nicely over December and January, seeing us picking things up quite well.”
According to Van As the format of the 2023 competition will make this year a tough one.
“This year will certainly be tough due to the eight-team format meaning it will be strength against strength in the competition. The ten-team format often allowed us a bit of a breather in between but now the competition will be a lot more demanding and closer. We will however be taking it one game at a time, which in the end we hope will work out well for us.”
Van As says losing some players from last year’s squad won’t hold them back as it is an opportunity for the new players to step up and help the team succeed.
“We have a younger team this year and we will be looking to play as a team which we feel will help us achieve our goals. We do still fortunately have several experienced players that we will be looking towards to steer the team in the right direction.”
2023 fixtures HERE.
by S’fisoNyawo
