Somebody stop them!

They are not invincible, but it will nevertheless take an extreme effort to stop FNB Maties in the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International - according to FNB UJ head coach Hugo van As.

Commenting after his team's 10-43 defeat to the selfsame Maties on Monday night, in what was UJ's first home game of 2010, Van As told varsitycup.co.za: "I cannot come up with one plausible excuse, as we were beaten by a better team playing clinically correct rugby.

"We were very competitive in the first 30 minutes, but once we had to start playing catch-up rugby immediately after the break, Maties took full control. They are a class act for sure."

Van As said his charges were very disappointed as they all know to what extent they let themselves down by not making full use of their chances against the back-to-back Varsity Cup champions.

However, the difficult playing conditions - in Johannesburg on the night - did not help UJ's cause either; as Stellenbosch recorded a four-tries-to-one victory.

"It is not important who we play next [Pukke in Potchefstroom - ed.], but rather how effective we can regroup this week and show the mettle and character that differentiates champions from mere participants," added UJ's coach.

Van As will be forced to make at least one change to his starting line-up, as No.8 Quintin Minnaar was concussed in the opening minutes of the game against FNB Maties.

He will announce his team - to face Pukke on Monday, February 22 (kick-off 6.30pm) - later this week.

By Morris Gilbert