Do or die is what it is going to be all about tomorrow in the Varsity Football Tournament with eight teams battling it out for four semi-finals spots. 

It is hard to remember when last the Varsity Tournament turned out to be such a tightly contested affair. 

Whoever loses might end up watching the final on television. As things stand, TUT is the log leaders with 10 points after five games. Northwest and Kovsies are jointly second with eight points followed by Tuks, UWC and UJ all on seven points. Even CUT with six points is still in contention for a semi-final spot. 

According to Katlego Motlhatsang, who has been Tuks's stand-in captain, during the last two games, tomorrow could turn out to be a dog eat dog scenario as there is so much at stake.

"Now is certainly not the time for complacency.  I think there are going to be a significant shake-up as far as the log standings are concerned. The challenge for Tuks is to make sure we end up being at the right end of it all. If managed to beat UKZN, we could end up being second."

Results-wise a Tuks victory on their home turf seems to be a mere formality as UKZN is the only team not to have won a game so far. Motlhatsang who is, however, a seasoned Varsity campaigner realises the danger of underestimating any team. 

"We already made that mistake. After we have beaten UWC, we were on a slight high thinking everything is on track. Beating UJ was seen as a mere formality. As things turned out, we were in for a rude awakening.  UJ thrashed us 4-0.

"Perhaps that loss can turn out to be a blessing in disguise as I think everyone now realises the magnitude of playing Varsity Football. Since losing our main motivation in each game was to play for the Tuks 'badge'. Up to now, the university has not had the best of Varsity campaigns. It is up to us to change things."

Motlhatsang is the first to admit that Tuks has not yet played to the best of their ability. 

"But we are getting there. Last week against CUT, we did not play badly. In the first half, we created quite a few chances. Converting two into goals. It would have been nice if we could have scored one more goal. 

"What impressed me was how we managed to withstand the pressure in the second half when CUT played much more aggressively."

Kickoff at Tuks tomorrow is at 18:30.