Title looks Maroon, say coaches
Both losing semifinalists are backing the Maties to make it a hat-trick of titles, ahead of Monday's 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final.
The FNB Maties will take on neighbours, the UCT Ikey Tigers, on Monday night (kick-off 6.30pm) - in a repeat of the 2008 final which was also contested at Stellenbosch's Danie Craven Stadium.
That, of course, after the FNB Maties and FNB UCT booked their places in the final thanks to victories over Pukke and Shimlas, respectively, in the semifinals earlier this week; Stellenbosch winning 47-11 and UCT triumphing 27-21.
Pukke coach Rudy Joubert believes home ground advantage, coupled with their outstanding form, should carry the Maties to their third straight Varsity Cup crown.
"The fact that they have played good rugby throughout, with a tight and solid gameplan, makes them - in my books - the favorites to win," he told varsitycup.co.za.
"They are very effective in their execution and play low-risk rugby which has worked for them (this season)."
According to Joubert, the Ikeys could cause an upset if they kick well, tactically, and spread the ball across the field where they have the likes of Marcello Sampson (wing) and Therlow Pietersen (fullback) - both of whom have real pace with the ability to penetrate most defensive lines.
"But overall, the Maties don't have many weaknesses," warned Joubert, whose side lost to the Maties in last year's final.
Dougie Heymans, Shimlas' team manager and scrum coach, agrees with Joubert's summation and reckons the Maties will be tough to stop en route to a third successive title.
"The Maties have been unbeaten throughout the competition and will have the support of their students down in Stellenbosch," the former Free State tighthead prop told this website.
"They are brilliant in carrying the ball through a number of phases and have the belief and patience to set (up) the one phase after the other. That has served them well up until now - especially when they get into their opponents' 22m. So, really, I can't see why they would play any differently in the final," he explained.
Shimlas, initially, had the ascendancy when they played Maties in a fourth-round league encounter, leading 15-14 at half-time - only to be 'nilled' in the second half as they went down 15-31.
"In that first half we defended well and found that they were vulnerable when we pressurised them in defence. So if the Ikeys can do that, they could upset the Maties' rhythm," said Heymans.
"They will also have to be disciplined and make their first-time tackles," he continued.
"And, if the Ikeys can match the Maties, where ball-retention is the key, they could be in with a shout. However, either way; I'm expecting a close and interesting encounter on Monday."
By Ruan Bruwer