The North West University (NWU) will need to play the game of their lives today when they take on the giant slayers of the 2021 Varsity Cup, the CUT-Ixias.
This match will decide the final entrant into the semi-finals and a loss for either team will see them return to their home town empty handed.
The NWU are back to full strength for this massive clash with Chuiner van Rooyen returning at full back and Riaan Genis wearing the no.9 jersey.
Sylvester Hassien retains the right wing position with Keano Windvogel on the left wing. André Fouché wears the number 6 jersey, with Didintle Sekati slotting in at 8 and Ruben Dreyer on openside flank. CUT will rely on full back Cohen Jasper for some magic as well as the dangerous scrumhalf, Zinedine Booysen in attack. Hooker, Janus Venter has also been impressive for the men from Bloemfontein.
The match will start today (Tuesday, 25 May) at 16:00.
Here are the line-ups:
NWU Eagles – 15 Shane van Rooyen, 14 Sylvester Hassien, 13 Lincoln Daniels (c), 12 Marco Donges, 11 Keano Windvogel, 10 Nivan Petersen, 9 Riaan Genis, 8 Didintle Sekati, 7 Ruben Dreyer, 6 André Fouché, 5 Jeandré Leonard, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Ruben du Plessis. Subs: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Rehann Baumann, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 George van der Westhuizen, 20 Kagiso Woodbridge, 21 Caleb Louw, 22 Jandré de Beer, 23 Pienaar van Niekerk.
CUT Ixias – 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Christiaan Nel, 13 Niell Stannard, 12 Heino Bezuidenhout, 11 Emilio Adonis, 10 Charles Williams, 9 Zinedine Booysen, 8 Ulrich Stander, 7 Luvuyo Ndevu (c), 6 Francois Bester, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Brendon Fortuin, 3 Wandré Nortjé, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Eddie Davids. Subs: 16 Thabiso Msiza, 17 Tebogo Masemola, 18 Raynard Esterhuizen, 19 Matthew Sekele, 20 Hardus Nel, 21 Xander Botha, 22 Ricoman Titus, 23 Jandré de Beer.
