Log leaders Tuks believe they havn't peaked yet ahead of semi-finals

The 2026 FNB Varsity Cup reaches a close with the 2022 champions FNB UP-Tuks seeking glory when they welcome UJ. The Stripe Generation thrashed UJ 51-22 in the last match of the league phase. The Pretoria outfit finished at the summit of the log having won six of their last seven clashes.

Tuks have produced a number of outstanding forward players with the recent being Francois Klopper, flying high in the Vodacom URC for Vodacom Bulls. This season the Stripe Generation scored a majority of tries from forward packs, at the thick of it all was hooker Jean Fourie.

The Hoërskool Gimnasium Paarl graduate has been sterling for Tuks, and believes his side are on the verge of clinching the Varsity Cup title for the sixth time.

“We as a team don’t want to get a head of ourselves and focus on winning the cup just yet. We need to it game for game and we have a job to do next week against UJ before focus on the final.

“I think really, we are a band of brothers that are willing to die for one another on the field. I think that really helps us in putting in performances on the field. As a team we do not believe that we have peaked yet. Our aim is to take this competition game by game and focus on winning the game at hand.” Said Fourie

Fourie made his Varsity Cup debut against Wits in the 2025 season and has not looked back since, offering dominance and physicality in Tuks’ forwards pack.

“My debut for Tuks was last year in the Varsity Cup against Wits. It was a special team announcement to be a part of, and all your mates are just congratulating you on your first game. It was a special game to be a part of as it was the first game back from the Shield and to pull through with a win was special.”

Tuks will play UJ in a back-to-back clash for the Gauteng derby.

“I am just really thankful to have had another opportunity to express myself and enjoy the time on the field with my brothers. I think that really helps a player a lot to do well.

It is really going to be a tough one this week as we are at the business end of the tournament and they will bring their all to the table for this clash.

I think it is really special for us as a team to have a home semi-final this week. The pride ourselves in defending our home. Also just having the crowd behind your back really helps.”

By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego