Tuks beat UJ 22-11 in the semi-final, a repeat of the win in the group phase when the University’s heroes ended the home team’s winning run. In fact, UJ lost only two of their eight matches in the 2011 Varsity Cup Series – both to Tuks.

Tuks used a very basic game plan to put UJ under such pressure that most of its stars lost their cool and started making mistakes behind the advantage line.

Tuks had the upper hand at almost every collusion thanks to ferocious physicality, their tactical play was excellent and their execution and finishing top class. It was a well deserved win.

“It is great and to me personally a huge privilege and honour to be in the final, but we still have to beat Ikeys before we can look back on one of the most remarkable seasons in the long and rich history of TuksRugby,” said Tuks 1 head coach, Nollis Marais.

“The guys all put their hand up and delivered big time against UJ. It was a proud, passionate and ruthless performance – one we need to build on for the final. It has to be said that Tuks have never beaten Ikeys at Varsity Cup level. They will be up to it as well and on a definite high after demolishing Shimlas in the other semi-final,” added Marais.

“We, on the other hand, will try and stay below the radar as we like to go into the final as underdogs,” concluded Marais.