Orange army backs UJ
AUCKLAND PARK – UJ prepares for their semi-final against Pukke.
The orange army will be out in force at the University of Johannesburg stadium on 4 April as thousands of fans get behind their team in the FNB Varsity Cup rugby semi-finals.
UJ may have ended second on the log, but their win over log leaders, Maties, in the final round has provided the perfect platform for them to launch a bid for the title. The UJ pupils face their tough Potchefstroom rivals, the Pukke, in the first of the two playoff matches, beginning at 4.30pm. In the other semi, Maties will host northern challengers, Tukkies, in Stellenbosch.
A position in the semi-finals was not guaranteed for UJ going into the final playoff round, but they produced a solid performance against Maties for a 42–16 win. This enabled them to pip Pukke by one point in the final standings and secured what could be a critical home semi-final.
While pleased to be playing on familiar territory, UJ coach Werner Janse van Rensburg is not taking anything for granted. “It is great for us to be back at home and the home support is crucial, but in a semi-final in a tournament like this no matter where you play you have to be at your best to win,”said Janse van Rensburg.
Earlier in the season, the teams faced off in Potchefstroom, with UJ winning 36–31, a margin which indicates what a tough challenge they will face to secure a berth in the final. Janse van Rensburg said it was important for them to move on from their win over Maties to focus on the next challenge.
“Every week presents a new challenge and this competition has shown that what happened the previous Monday doesn’t mean anything the next Monday. We know they will come out with all guns blazing as they have a good record in semi-finals, so we expect our toughest challenge so far in the competition. But we will be up for it. Playing each moment on the field one at a time and not getting ahead of ourselves will be important. The game rewards good attitude and being the best in the basics, and that is going to be crucial for us,” added Janse van Rensburg.
The UJ versus Pukke match will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1.
Details: University of Johannesburg, 011 559 4555.
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