Bigger and better suits Gagiano

Now in his third year of Varsity Cup rugby, UCT stalwart JJ Gagiano is better suited than most to comment on the success of this incredible student rugby tournament.

Gagiano - the former UCT captain, who led his side to the 2008 Varsity Cup Final - is one of the success stories from the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Having gone on to play for America - at Test level - since the 2008 tournament (he has won 11 caps for the Eagles); he has twice returned to his country of birth (in 2009 and 2010) to remain an integral part of UCT's Varsity Cup crusade.

"As a whole, I'd say the 2010 Varsity Cup is a lot bigger than it first was in 2008," he tells varsitycup.co.za.

"The first tournament was massive, however," he adds, "I think it took everyone by surprise! Last year wasn't as big as the first year, but I think this year has already far surpassed the 2008 Varsity Cup.

"There just seems to be so much more at stake... and more media coverage too - it's a tournament that is very close to my heart and something I wanted to be a part of again."

Freed from the burden of captaincy this season, Gagiano - in his regular quiet and unassuming ways - has arguably been UCT's best performer in 2010, at No.8 or on the side of the scrum.

He says: "I obviously enjoyed captaining UCT - it was a great honour and a privilege.

"But, right now, it's great just being one of the boys again. Of course, as one of the senior guys in the squad, I have a big responsibility to help the younger guys and hopefully some of my experience is rubbing off on those around me."

It is always tough comparing former playing squads to current groups, but Gagiano sees plenty of similarities between the Ikeys' Class of 2010 and the original 2008 squad which had South Africa's entire rugby-watching community on its feet with their exciting brand of rugby.

"We were the bolters in 2008," he says, "I don't think we can ever match that year - given that we were such an unknown factor to everyone.

"Last year was tough... we had a bit of pressure on us, after the kind of rugby we played in 2008, but this year we're just letting things happen and the vibe in this squad is simply unbelievable - which is why it reminds me so much of 2008!"

As things stand now, the 2010 Ikeys squad could very easily emulate their first-ever side by making it all the way to the final. (They are currently second on the log to Cape rivals, Maties.)

Gagiano, however, cautions against looking too far ahead, saying: "It might sound clichéd, but we are simply focusing on each game as it comes.

"This Monday we have to ensure we beat TUT, and maybe even claim a bonus point, and then only can we look ahead to our next match.

"The Varsity Cup is a tough tournament and because it's all over in two months, you can easily come short if you start looking ahead too far without concentrating on what's ahead in the coming week."

Monday's game against TUT - who have not won a match in the Varsity Cup since March 2008 - kicks-off at 4.30pm at the Green Mile in Cape Town and Gagiano and co. are relishing the prospect of playing at home once again.

"We love it," says JJ about playing in front of UCT's passionate supporters.

"Every single person at the Green Mile seems to be behind you and the best part is that the crowd knows everyone out there too and they sing classic songs to some of the players - all of which adds to the occasion and lifts us when we need it most."

* Monday's match will also be televised live on SuperSport One at 4.30pm.

By James Kingston