'We'll take away points' says Roux
Played three, won three, no bonus points. That is the current scenario that defending Varsity Cup champions, Stellenbosch University, face. But head coach Chean Roux could not be happier, especially after his team's second away win of the season, this time over Free Staters, FNB Shimlas.
Last night's win over Shimlas, at Shimla Park, sees FNB Maties occupy second place on the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International log, with Roux declaring himself "happy" with proceedings.
"It was difficult out there against Shimlas," Roux told varsitycup.co.za, "I'm happy with the win.
"They had a lot of rain in Bloemfontein during the past few days, apparently something like 140mm of rain fell, so we're happy to have come away with four points. The fields were heavy and water-logged... it didn't exactly make for running rugby."
When asked about his team's lack of bonus points thus far, Roux had a simple response after Maties' three-tries-to-one victory: "Look, we'll take our three wins so far; one was at UCT, the other at Shimlas, that's not a bad start to the season.
"I don't think bonus points are that important at this stage of the season, but it's also a lot easier to target bonus points in your home games in front of your own support and on a field that you know a lot better."
Next up for Roux's Maties team - under the captaincy once again of the dependable Wesley Wilkens - are FNB Pukke, one of last year's beaten semifinalists in the Varsity Cup, but the South African club champions; having beaten this very Stellenbosch team in the semifinals in September 2008.
"That (club champs) result will have no bearing on Monday's game against Pukke," said Roux. "It's obviously a big game for us, of that there can be no doubt, but this is a different Pukke side under a new coach in Rudy Joubert and to be honest, I don't know a whole lot about them.
"I've got plenty of work to do in terms of watching videos of them... and we'll also have plenty to work on at training this week in preparation for the match."