Ikeys Amped For Maties Semi

The semifinals are here – and on Monday the Ikey Tigers will take on Maties on the Green Mile.

Given that the Tigers are coming off three consecutive wins, and will play at home, the spirit in the camp is at an all time high.

The team announcement for the match, released this morning, sees only slight changes made from the team who previously played, and beat, Maties in Round Two.

“We have had a phenomenal week together and the team that is playing against Maties is exactly the same, barring two players, that played in the epic encounter which we managed to win well,” explained UCT coach Kevin Musikanth.

In comparison to that second round encounter, the starting backline remains as is. Speaking about the reliable flyhalf, Musikanth said: “Dean Grant has had a brilliant campaign. His experience has driven our team to the point that we have managed to crack a semifinal and the boys look up to him.”

Over the course of the tournament, said the coach skipper “Liam Slatem and second-in-command James Alexander have jointly led the squad in a brilliant manner, selflessly complimenting one another whether starting of coming off the bench.” On Monday, Slatem will get the start with Alexander bring leadership from the bench.

Similarly, the front row remains the same with Digby Webb, Neil Rautenbach and Joel Carew starting. The boys “have impressed under the guidance of experienced Varsity Cup winner Paul Day in his seventh Varsity Cup campaign”, said Musikanth.

All in all, the coach explained, “everyone is super amped for Monday, and to put in a 100 percent performance. It's a test match, and come what may, up until the semifinal the Varsity Cup journey 2014 has been magical for us all.”

The game starts at 16:30 on Monday afternoon, and will be also be broadcast on Supersport. Tickets for the match can be purchased at www.webtickets.co.za.  

UCT vs Stellenbosch

FNB UCT: 15 Ross Jones-Davies, 14 Richard Stewart, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Guy Schwikkard, 11 Lihleli Xoli, 10 Dean Grant, 9 Liam Slatem, 8 Michael Botha, 7 Vince Jobo, 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Shaun McDonald, 3 Digby Webb, 2 Neil Rautenbach, 1 Joel Carew.

Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Robin Murray, 18 Kyle Kriel, 19 Gareth Ehret, 20 James Alexander, 21 Martin Sauls, 22 Nathan Nel, 23 David Maasch.