Barbarians ready for Majuba challenge

The Barbarians - from NMMU - remain on cloud nine following their fine 8-5 win over their more illustrious opponents, the Steinhoff Cobras (UCT), in Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships action this past Monday.

According to senior coach Kolie Brandt, the outcome was a major boost for team members as they attempt to climb the ladder at varsity level.

"The celebrations after the match were simply unbelievable," Brandt told varsitycup.co.za.

"It took quite some time for it to sink in that they had managed to beat a side from the Ikeys in their first attempt at this level. We have taken much heart from it and will be going into the match against our Matie counterparts with much-needed confidence.

"It was quite amusing at our training session on Wednesday that the players were even talking about the possibility of reaching the semifinals," Brandt added.

However, playing against any Matie team in Stellenbosch is never an easy task and the NMMU Barbarians are only too aware that they have a mountain to climb.

The team will fly to Cape Town on Monday morning and the match is scheduled to kick-off at 6.30pm at the Danie Craven Stadium.

NMMU Barbarians: 15 Freddy Vosloo, 14 Connie de Villiers, 13 Phiwe Lalendle, 12 Luthozatu Zatu, 11 Emilio Julius, 10 Lindsay Weyer, 9 Werner Botha, 8 De Wet de Lange, 7 Jarryd Firkin, 6 Bonga Jantjies, 5 Luke Martins, 4 Chris Dicks, 3 Eugene Nolan, 2 Werner Kapp, 1 William Sewell.
Replacements: 16 Wade Lotter, 17 Anton Crouse, 18 Chris Kelly, 19 Jeffery Wood, 20 Kwadwo Appiah-Danquah, 21 Pumelele Mlungwana, 22 Lluhan Nortje.

By Stan Terblanche