FNB Tuks 1 know it will take their best performance of the 2011 competition to beat the reigning FNB Varsity Cup champions.

The FNB Tuks 1 coaching staff has beefed up their front row for this reason. With the inclusion of Frik Kirsten (tight head) and Morne Mellett (loose head) Tuks have gained substantial weight and experience in the front row.

The team was only finalized yesterday after the captain’s run.

Fullback Jurgen Visser was not cleared to play, but Mellett and winger Hayden Groepes were both given the green light.

One of the most notable changes is in the midfield where Hammel (Jean) du Plessis makes his comeback after being suspended for three weeks for a spear tackle in the match against TUT on 14 February. It is believed that the combination of Du Plessis and inside centre Dabeon Draghoender, an ex-Matie, could be one Tuks 1’s biggest trump cards.

Tuks 1 head coach, Nollis Marais said if ever there was a time fir his team to ‘stand up and be counted’, their 2011 FNB Varsity Cup slogan, it was tonight.

“We need to beat Maties in order to make it to the play-offs on own steam. The win against UJ (38-23) was very good for our confidence and momentum, but we have still to play to our true potential. We owe our supporters a performance true to the classy outfit we are,” remarked Marais.

The Tuks 1 team is:

Boeboes Coetzee; Deon Helberg, Jean du Plessis, Dabeon Draghoender, Hayden Groepes; Wesley Dunlop ©, Danie Faasen; Jono Ross, Franco Mostert, Nqubeko Zulu, Frik Kirsten, Robbie Coetzee, Morne Mellett. REPLACEMENTS: Chris Crous, Vincent Koch, Sthembiso Mlongo, Willie Nel, Clayton Stewart, JC Roos, GD Kotzee, Steph Pretorius.