“I expect only two things from the team: to regain the Carlton Cup title and go on to claim honours at the National Club Championships for the first time since 2003. I am in no way unreasonable or unrealistic in this. We finished the Carlton Cup knock-out round as the only unbeaten team and have the potential and determination to only become stronger as the season progresses,” said a confident Marius, who turns 25 on 26 June.

He also agrees, though, that Tuks will have their work cut out in the second round as “we have set the pace in the knock-out round and every other team will be out to become the first to beat the benchmark club. We can expect every opponent to lift it self when they play Tuks which in turn means that we will have to be at the top of our game every time.”

Marius takes over as captain from flanker Marnus Schoeman who will miss the second round because of his Blue Bulls u.21 duties.

Marius first played for Tuks in 2004 before having a long stretch with Centurion (2005 – 2009) in which period he represented the Blue Bulls at Vodacom Cup level – thus following in his dad, Hans’ footsteps. Hans, who died in August last year represented the former Northern Transvaal in 26 matches at prop.

“It was a sound rugby decision to accept an offer to represent Tuks in the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup Competition. Speaking from first hand experience I can truly say that the intensity, competitiveness, tempo and general standard of play in the FNB Varsity Cup exceed that at Vodacom Cup level by far.”

Marius says his best attributes as a No 8 are his positional play and defence.

The Tuks team to tackle Silver Valke is:

15 Boeboes Coetzee; 14 GD Kotzee, 13 Gerhard van der Merwe, 12 Gertjie Smith, 11 JW Bell; 10 Renier Wiessener, 9 SJ Bester; 8 Marius Weber (c), 7 Jacques Verwey, 6 Louis van Biljon, 5 Peet Bothma, 4 Francois van Wyk, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Henri Bantjes, 1 Corné Fourie. REPLACEMENTS: 16 Chris Coetzee, 17 Hein Viljoen, 18 Joe Walters, 19 Eugene Lubbe, 20 Hendrik Blignaut, 21 Freddie Douglas, 22 Devan Kruger.

Venue: Silver Valke A. Kick-off: 15:00.