Tuks coach Dewey Swartbooi isn’t shying away from the pressure ahead of Monday night’s Varsity Cup final.
In fact, he says he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tuks host the NWU Eagles in Pretoria (7pm kick-off), with the biggest prize in student rugby on the line.
“There are definitely a lot of nerves. I assume the Eagles will also be a bit nervous. But I think closer to the time the nerves will settle a bit,” said Swartbooi.
“I just hope the moment isn’t too big and that everything happening in the build-up doesn’t catch us out. But we are really looking forward to the final.”
While the occasion brings nerves, Swartbooi knows exactly where the battle could be won — up front.
The Eagles pack laid down a marker in their semi-final win over Maties, dominating the scrums, and the Tuks coach expects another fierce contest.
“I think they have a really good pack, but you shouldn’t underestimate our forwards,” he said. “If we can fire on all cylinders up front in the final, then it can be a great match. The Eagles deserve credit though, because their pack is really formidable.”
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Tuks return to the final after a remarkable turnaround.
Five-time champions, they crashed to the bottom of the standings in 2023, forcing them into the Varsity Shield competition in 2024 before battling their way back to the top tier.
Swartbooi, who took over the reins late in 2023, has overseen that resurgence and now stands on the brink of a statement title.
Photo: Catherine Kotze/Asem Engage
