Heymans backing Maties for glory

FNB Shimlas assistant coach Dougie Heymans believes the Maties deserve to start the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final as firm favourites.

The Maties, the defending champions, will take on the Rudy Joubert-coached Pukke in Monday's (March 30) final at the Danie Craven Stadium.

And Heymans, a long-time propping cornerstone of the Free State pack, should know better than most who will come out tops; with his Shimlas side having played against both the Pukke (15-27 loss) and the Maties (5-26 loss) during the league phase of the Varsity Cup.

"The Maties have played the most consistent rugby throughout and they've got some good players," Heymans told Ruan Bruwer from varsitycup.co.za.

"My money will be on them to beat the Pukke in the final."

Monday's final between FNB Maties and FNB Pukke - the second successive Varsity Cup Final in Stellenbosch - will kick-off at 6.45pm.

The match will be preceded by a curtain-raiser between Huis Armentum and Dromedaris - in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final - at 4.45pm.

Both finals will be televised live on SuperSport One.