It will be a face-off between arch rivals UP-Tuks and Maties in the 2018 USSA final taking place at the Wits Stadium on Friday (6 July).

UP-Tuks secured their spot in the final with an impressive win against Kovsies in the semis on Wednesday. UP-Tuks won 47-10 after leading 23-10 at the break.

In the other semi-final Maties had their work cut out and only got the better of Wits late in the second half. The defending champions won 12-7.

UP-Tuks’ performance against Kovsies was a far cry from the less impressive win against Pukke (18-14). They improved in almost every component of their game with their rock solid defence the undisputed highlight.

“The right attitude can best be seen in how a team defend. Today we really excelled in this aspect. Our tackling was very clinical and very effective. Every player put his body on the line that limited Kovsies to a single try despite numerous other desperate attempts to cross our line,” said Nico Luus, UP-Tuks 1 Head Coach.

He conceded that despite the great win against Kovsies his team will have to step up if they want to dethrone Maties.

“There can be little doubt about our defending abilities, but we will have to finish just as well because the opportunities to score will be less than against Kovises. In a final nothing can be left to chance. One mistake can be one too many,” added Luus.

UP-Tuks’ tries were scored by Tinus de Beer, WJ Strydom, Bart le Roux, Frederik Eksteen and Wian van Niekerk. De Beer added another 17 points with four conversions and three penalty goals.

The final kicks off on Friday at 13.00.