In round two of the FNB Varsity Cup, the Ikey Tigers take on FNB NWU in their first home game of the season.

FNB UCT come into the game off the back of a 25-16 victory over UJ in round one. However, Captain Liam Greenhalgh believes the team still haven’t hit their final gear just yet.

“We are happy with our win on Monday, but at the same time we are nowhere satisfied with how we played, and we feel we can build a lot on that performance.”

FNB NWU will be desperate to get a win having narrowly lost their opening game against FNB UP-Tuks 40-42.

The Pukke have been perennial semi-finalists in the competition as of late and will travel with the knowledge that a second loss on the trot will severely hurt their chances of qualifying for the playoffs again.

Having narrowly missed out on the playoffs themselves in 2019, the Ikey Tigers will be hungry to get their home leg of the campaign off to a flying start.

They may also have the psychological advantage over the Pukke having won the previous match between the two sides at the Green Mile.

The captain had this to say about his side’s first home game.

“I’m feeling excited about the first home game. It’s a great opportunity to play in front of all our friends and family and showcase all the hard work that we have put in as a team over the past 4 months. It’s going to be a great contest against Pukke as they are consistently a strong force in the Varsity Cup. We are going to do our best and hopefully give the home fans something to shout about.”

The starting 23 for Monday’s kick off is as follows: 1 Gugu Nelani, 2 Cuan Hablutzel, 3 Ashwyn Adams, 4 Gary Porter, 5 Byron Bowes, 6 Nama Xaba, 7 Busanda Mabena, 8 Liam Greenhalgh (C), 9 Kyle Bowman, 10 James Tedder, 11 Rayno Mapoe, 12 Michael Brink, 13 Liam Furniss, 14 Gerard Pieterse, 15 Athi Gazi, 16 Josh van Vuuren, 17 Devon Arendse, 18 Luthando Woji, 19 Byron Cranswick, 20 Niel Otto, 21 Liam Kloosman, 22 James McDonald, 23 Siba Mzanywa

The Cubs kicks off their Varsity Cup Young Guns Campaign at 5pm on Monday, while the 1^st XV game kicks off at 7pm on the Green Mile. Tickets are available on Webtickets as well as limited amount at the door. The Ikeys Pub and Grind will be open serving refreshments and snacks all throughout the evening.

Get your tickets here: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1499206670