Purely judging by their performance at the USSA Tournament, the TuksRugby7's cannot be tipped to be one of the favourites for Friday's Varsity Sevens Tournament in Durban.

But then again statistics and results are not always an accurate reflection of what happened out on the field. It tends to be far too clinical. The TuksRugby7's could just turn out to be the team to spoil the fun for the Tournament favourites.

Andries Kruger (TuksRugby7's coach) honestly believe that if it were not for two mistakes his players made at crucial times the results at the USSA Tournament might have played out differently.

"We lost 12-7 to Maties and 12-10 to UCT. I am of the opinion that we played the better rugby, but in each game, there was that one moment of lapsed concentration that led to the winning try.  It is something we have been working on to improve."

The Varsity Sevens Tournament is arguably one of the toughest. On the first day, each team will play five games and on the second day four games. The semi-finals and final is on day three which equates to 11 games. In most international tournaments teams will play only six games over two days. 

Kruger said part of the team's preparation included a lot of endurance training to ensure that the players are capable of being competitive for three days. 

"Over the last few weeks, we focused more on refining individual skills and tactical astuteness. We did so by creating specific match scenarios.

"In the end, everything boils down to just one thing, and that is how hungry a team is to succeed and to what extent the players are prepared to push themselves to the limit to realise their dream."

Kruger is also of the opinion that for any team to have a realistic chance to win they need true speedsters. 

"Dewald Naude who played wing for UP-Tuks in the Varsity Cup is one of the players we will be relying on to score tries. He might not be one of the fastest players but he make-up with tactical savvy for what he lacks in speed."

Kruger predicts that Hanco Sipsma could be another key-player. 

"Hanco is a real speedster. Once he got the ball in hand, it takes some doing to stop him.  But because he is still a newcomer to sevens rugby he tends at times to doubt his abilities. However, I am sure he will improve as he gains more match experience.

"WJ Strydom who played for the Blitz Boks from 2012 to 2014 brings a lot of experience to our team," said Kruger. 

"When all is said and done the reality is that luck also plays a role, especially in sevens. For any team to have a realistic chance to win you need the ball to bounce favourably once in a while."

The TuksRugby7's team finished fourth last year in the Varsity Sevens Tournament and was second in 2015.

Ciaran Dayaram	Dewald Naude	PJ Uys	Erich Fourie & Anthony Creighton