Verster's fate to be known soon

The FNB TUT Vikings will know the fate of their captain tomorrow (Wednesday) only - at the earliest - after Emile Verster was sent off in injury-time in their FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International fixture against Tuks on Monday.

Verster got his marching orders after querying a decision by the referee, Mlungiseli Mdashe.

The referee, allegedly, told the FNB TUT Vikings camp afterwards that chirping was not in the spirit of the game and that is why Verster was shown a red card. The TUT skipper will now have to appear before a SARU disciplinary committee to explain his actions.

Verster was the fourth Vikings players who to be carded against Tuks - a scenario which, ultimately, cost his team the match 30-42 after leading 24-12 at one stage.

The Vikings captain and his three teammates each spent 10 minutes in the sin bin, as the home team finished the match with just 13 players on the pitch.

TUT assistant coach Jimmy Watt told varsitycup.co.za: "The truth of the matter is that we were our own worst enemies.

"Four cards, two in the last two minutes, are four too many. It is, in fact, like committing suicide," he added.

"In the Varsity Cup competition you lose momentum and initiative every time you have to [make] do with one player less. Imagine, now, how we lost out with four players getting carded?"

It was a match the Vikings could easily have won and Watt continued: "Even more frustrating is that we got no reward for really playing well for most of the match. We deserved a bonus point, at least."

He agreed that the FNB Vikings have a daunting three weeks ahead of them as they get set to face up to the Ikey Tigers (February 22), Shimlas  (March 1) and Pukke (March 8) - all away from home.

"We will have to dig deep and the character of the team will truly be tested," concluded Watt.

By Morris Gilbert