FNB UCT Ikeys are looking forward to beating FNB UFS Shimlas twice in one season when they travel to Bloemfontein for the first 2023 FNB Varsity Cup semi-final tomorrow. Kick-off is at 16:30.
Ikeys head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb however says his side won't underestimate the home team. This is despite the Tigers going into the match on a high after running riot against FNB CUT Ixias a week ago, beating them 79-31 (watch highlights HERE).
Dawson-Squibb says they have done their homework.
"Shimlas are a great team, they are all about the attack and scoring lots of tries. That makes them an exciting and dangerous team.
"We did some good things on the field, one or two games a few things went wrong but we have learned from that. We are happy where we are and with our preparations."
Ikeys will be looking to avoid what happened last season where the Green Mile-based team was knocked out of the semi-finals by FNB Maties 58-19 (watch highlights HERE).
Dawson-Squibb believes their focus will be on what is working for them.
"I think last year there were few areas of the game that didn't work out well for us but you always want to try to be the best you can be.
“We will look at things that have worked for us and focus on them rather than anything else.
"In a semi-final like this, you want to make sure the basics are your foundation, and that we are trying to do as a team is in place."
FNB UCT Ikeys: 15 Koevort Duran Ryan, 14 Louw Rethabile Donovan, 13 Boulle Joshua Michael, 12 Lamb Kyle Graeme, 11 Makhaza Ntokozo Sibusiso, 10 Hayes David Robert, 9 Moos Asad, 8 Delport Laro, 7 Ndiao Kyle Enos, 6 Dyonase Siphumezo, 5 van der Westhuizen George, 4 Crous Reynhardt Wouter, 3 le Roux Bryan Justin, 2 Blanckenberg Keagan Jordan, 1 Woji Luthando Solomon.
Semi-final fixtures HERE.
by Ayanda Frances Felem
