The problem with statistics, however, is that they can be very misleading as rugby is not an exact science. The old saying that you’re only as good as your last performance comes to mind immediately.

Tuks have been awesome in their last three matches, stacking up 30 tries to 6. They should therefore be the overwhelming favourites was it not for the fact that injuries and sickness have sidelined seven players who have all played in the starting line-up in the past three weeks.

They are Boeboes Coetzee (fullback), GD Kotzee, Dirk Dippenaar, JW Bell (wings), Gertjie Smith, Johan Booysen (centres) and Tjoppie Kruger (uitility back).

Boeboes, one of the big finds of the season, was destined to become the first Tuks 1 player to score 100 points in the 2010 season as he already has 95 to his name. The kicking duties will now be entrusted to fly half Renier Wiessener.

Tuks will therefore field a new look back line against TUT with the complete back three (Freddie Douglas, Dewald Pieters and Boon Kotzee) making their debut in the starting XV.

Only time will tell how to what extend the rhythm and flow in the Tuks backline will be affected.

The many changes will not be the only reason why Tuks will be treading with caution tonight. They face a desperate opponents since TUT is in danger of not qualifying for the play-offs. Their current fifth position on the log puts them in jeopardy.

Tuks’ team is:

Freddie Douglas; Dewald Pieters, Gerhard van der Merwe, Bennie Bester, Boon Kotzee; Renier Wiessener, Etienne Greeff; Marius Weber (c), Jacques Verwey, Louis van Biljon, Franco Mostert, Francois van Wyk, Gert Andries van der Merwe, Chris Crous, Ettienne Breytenbach. REPLACEMENTS: Henri Bantjes, Corne Fourie, Peet Botma, Berend Botha, Tertius Harmse, Hanno Botha, Drikus van der Walt.