CAPE TOWN – The surprise side of the 2018 season, Wits, face a huge Joburg derby challenge against the University of Johannesburg in round seven of this year’s Varsity Cup this afternoon.
Hugo van As’ team have surprised friend and foe with their enterprising - and winning - rugby this season and lie second on the points table with 23 points from four wins. UJ are fourth with 16 points after registering three wins, but have played a game less (five) than Wits (six).
And while Wits are at home this afternoon and will be cheered on by their huge following, it is UJ who are probably the form side between the two going into the match. Van As’ team won fairly comfortably (52-18) against the Central University of Technology away last week, but UJ were even more impressive in handing Nelson Mandela University a 69-8 thrashing on home soil.
Log-leaders Stellenbosch University, who’re out in front with 27 points, should prove to be too strong for Madibaz, who are yet to win this year, even though the match is being played in Port Elizabeth.
Third-placed North West University are involved in the big “game of the day” as they take on the University of the Free State, in sixth spot, in Bloemfontein.
Tuks, who’ve endured a bit of a nightmare season and are zero from five matches, should pick up their first win of the campaign when they take on CUT in Bloemfontein.
@jacq_west
Cape Argus