New Madibaz players to get chance in Cup
George Byron
A FIRED-UP Madibaz rugby side will attempt to derail the vaunted Maties "Maroon Machine" when they kick off their Varsity Cup programme at the NMMU Stadium today.
Both teams will be anxious to get their campaign off to a winning start and, if the game lives up to expectations, it should be a rousing encounter.
Billed as the tournament where "rugby rocks", the Madibaz will be crossing swords with the competition's most successful team who were last year's beaten finalists.
Madibaz head coach David Maidza said team management had decided to blood a number of players for their first home game, while retaining several of the experienced players who helped them reach the semifinals last year.
"We did very well last year and we have managed to keep the core squad together to maintain continuity," Maidza said.
Several new backline players will make their debut for the university, while the forwards will consist of seasoned campaigners such as captain Roy Godfrey, hooker Martin Ferreira and loose forward Tim Agaba. Both Godfrey and Ferreira have turned out for the SWD Eagles, while Agaba has played for the EP Kings.
Vice-captain and fullback Jarryd Buys, who led the SA Student Sevens team, will anchor the backline.
"What we are looking for is a team that is well rounded and well balanced," Maidza said.
"We should be able to manage ourselves both when we do not have the ball and when we do."
The clash will give Maidza's men a chance to settle the score after Maties eliminated them by a single point in last year's competition.
"This is a new season for both teams. We have prepared well and hope that on the day we will be able to put our structures together and come away with a favourable result."
Maidza said they would be looking to continue with the progress they had made in the early season warm-up matches.
In these, Madibaz acquitted themselves well with a 25-15 victory against SWD Eagles and a narrow 26-29 loss to the Cheetahs. They wrapped up the pre-season fixtures with a 12-10 win over Community Cup champions Despatch.
"The coaching staff have been happy with the steady progress of the team and we want to take this into the Varsity Cup."
Maidza said the fact that it was a promotion-relegation year would not divert their energies.
"I don't want to put added pressure on the players over this ruling.
"I would like us to focus on every game that we play and make the most of it to keep improving throughout the competition."
The Madibaz will be without flyhalf Justin van Staden and centre Howard Mnisi, who received callups to the Pumas and Cheetahs squads respectively.
Experienced flanker Ferdinand Gerber will sit the season out because to a knee injury.
The match will be televised live and starts at 4.45pm at the NMMU Stadium.
Madibaz supporters are encouraged to wear blue as part of the "Blue Monday" campaign. Entrance to all matches is free.
The Madibaz team: Jarryd Buys, Ayabula Dlepu, Michael Bernardt, Andile Jho, Tythan Adams, Gavin Hauptfleisch, Daniel Acker, Timothy Agaba, Marcel Groenewald, Christopher Cloete, Cameron Lindsay, Stefan Willemse, Dexter Fahey, Martin Ferreira, Roy Godfrey (capt). Replacements: Greg Bauer, Nicolas Roebech, Louis Fourie, Wade Elliot, Ivan Ludick, Stefanus Booysen, Donovan Marais, Enoch Mnyaka.
