Lifting the trophy is the sole objective for 5 time champions FNB UP-Tuks

Five time FNB Varsity Cup champions, FNB UP-Tuks, are ready to set this year’s tournament alight as they target another shot at the coveted trophy they last won in 2022. After falling at the semi-final stage last season, the Pretoria outfit return with a refreshed squad, renewed hunger, and a clear mission to go all the way.

“The camp atmosphere is good and positive; we started last year November with a six-week training cycle before the festive holiday. The boys are training hard, every year is different and all teams going into the competition wants to win, we want to win,” said Swart.

“For it is for us to represent the university with everything we have.”

The five-time champions to tackle the season with a newly formed team having lost 15 players from last season. It will be a huge toll in what could be described as rebuilding phase. Swart alludes the rewards of Varsity Cup competition

“The longer you been together as a squad, the more experience you have as a squad. That is where I applauded UCT last year they had a squad that has been together for a couple of years. For us this season we lost 15 players that played last year for various reasons, some is age restriction and some signing professional contracts,” he said.

Experience is key, when you look at the Springboks in the past years they had experienced squad. But this is also an opportunity for the young guys to show up. We have a couple of new additions to our squad that we believe will help us this season, Divan du Toit who played flyhalf for NWU is here, because we lost JP Wentzel who is now in Italy.

“It would mean a lot for me to win the trophy as a head coach, I won it as an assistant before. We need to keep a good account for ourselves; we are playing at home a team we lost in the semi-finals last year also at home. Our boys will be ready come Monday night, let the stars align and hopefully for the Stripe Generation.”

FNB Tuks take on champions the Ikey Tigers at 7pm on Monday 16 February.

FNB UP-Tuks Provisional Squad:

Khanyisa stamper, JJ Du Preez, Guvandré Jaydon Moses, Kieran Durandt, Gustav van der Merwe, Barnard Nortje, Tamer Mousa, Danré Pike, Ulrich Taylor, Ruan van Blommestein, Ruan Coetzee, Jayd Austin, Ivaan Költzow, Randy Muzungu, Buhle Mpaka, Xavier Schoeman, MJ Nel, Jacques Oberholzer, David Engongo, Jean Fourie, Luke Geldenhuys, Dian Coetzee, Dillon Smith, Duncan Blignaut, Ben Jansen van Vuuren, Abel Pretorius, Xavier Schoeman, Zander Schoeman, Oelof de Meyer, Akhona Kunene. Chad-Lee Valentine, Joshua Dampies, Dennis Obi, Divan Du Toit, Patrick Hoban, Kobus Janse Van Rensburg, Christiaan Vlok, Munashe Dukuswa, Buhlebethu Planga, Jean-Louis Van Rensburg, Andile Myeni, Antonio Bruiners, Van Reenen Kruger, Tumelo Mohale, Luke Geldenhuyz, Philliphus de Bruyn, Nico du Randt, Ricus Wessels, Elkan Willemse, Jaedon, Jack, Ignatius Jantjies.

Fixtures and tickets HERE.

By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego