Ikey Tigers aim to keep building momentum ahead of crunch fixtures

FNB UCT Ikeys return to the Green Mile to host FNB UJ for the early kick off in Round four. The sides have both racked up 10-points after the opening three rounds with two wins and one defeat apiece.

The defending champions are looking to put together a winning run, having been victorious in each of their last two outings – winning both at home and on the road to Emeris. The Ikey Tigers are on the prowl for a place in the top two and could end up there should other results go their way.

The men from Cape Town have their sights set on finding form as the competition approaches its business end, with some important fixtures on the horizon. UJ come to the Cape in Round 3 before UCT will square off against FNB Maties in Round 5 in what will be a repeat of last season’s final.

Fullback, Setshaba Mokoena, explained that there’s a sense of calmness in the Ikeys camp, “the boys are very aware of what’s to come and that the next couple of games are very important for us.”

“Preparation, now more than ever, is key for us and I think there’s a good understanding of that in the camp and you can tell the way that the boys show up in training. There’s a very calm but determined mood in training where the standards are held to a different level every week as we progress” said Setshaba.

The 24-year-old admits that while he’s new to the Green Mile, it’s a privilege to be able to express his talents under the Monday night lights, “We take pride in putting on great performances here, especially for the people who come out and support us and our families”.

The Ikeys fullback added that, “Playing with the wind, playing the Ikeys style on the Mile is what we enjoy doing and UJ is going to be a tough fixture for us – we know. They’ve got a lot of tanks in their camp, but you know, we pride ourselves on putting out good performances on the Mile”.

By: Kieryn Thompson