Madibaz in must-win CUT clash

[caption id="attachment_68649" align="alignright" width="300"] ALL THE WAY: NMMU Madibaz's Yamkele Ngam on his way to the tryline in the Varsity Cup match against Pukke in Potchefstroom - Picture: SASPA[/caption]

Playoff dreams at stake for NMMU side

The Madibaz must unleash their potent backline on a wounded Central University of Technology (CUT) outfit when the teams clash in a Varsity Cup match at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University campus tonight.

Both teams lost their opening matches and Madibaz coach David Maidza knows nothing less than a win will be good enough to keep his playoff dreams alive.

While the Madibaz were able to take some positives out of their 36-26 loss to the Pukke in Potchefstroom, CUT were left licking their wounds after they were on the receiving end of 46-10 drubbing against the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

It was a tough debut for the newly promoted Varsity Shield champions as UJ cantered to a comfortable victory to storm to the top of the standings after the opening round.

CUT can expect things to get even tougher tonight as they bid to show they belong in the top flight against a new-look Madibaz team who will be anxious to get on the winning track at home.

In Potchefstroom, the Madibaz showed plenty of fighting spirit in the second period against Pukke as the NMMU students look to reach their first final this season.

Maidza said he had been impressed with his squad’s overall performance in the highscoring, 10-try game against Pukke but he wanted more.

-George Byron