The story about how the tortoise beat the rabbit in a race is well known.

Many might wonder why this is relevant to tomorrow's Carlton Cup semi-final clash between Tuks and Naka Bulls. If one goes according to the results, the Naka Bulls are the favourites to win. After all, they have done so twice already in the competition.

But results and numbers in sports will always be results and numbers. No race or match is ever won by playing around with numbers.

The Head of Programme at Tuks Rugby, Conrad Boshoff, believes the playing field will be level tomorrow afternoon. To him, playing in a semi-final is all about the now. Tuks will do the same as the tortoise, sticking to their game plan. Controlling the controllable, the team certainly doesn't lack motivation, as it will be about playing for the coveted "Stripes". 

As a manager, Boshoff believes in something other than being deskbound. To him, it is all about being hands-on. It is why he is helping coach Tuks's teams. He is no stranger to coaching. He has coached for five years in Poland.

"I am not the head coach. Dewey Swartbooi is our interim coach. I am part of a team that assists him."

One cannot help but wonder whether there was a feeling of being down and out at Tuks Rugby after the first team's disastrous Varsity Cup campaign. The team ended up losing all seven of their games.

"It was easy to assume that Tuks Rugby was in a crisis after the Varsity Tournament. But we are not. It was only our first team that lost. Tuks is actually having a great year. Our Under-20 team has won the Blue Bulls Cup Tournament. Our women's team, as well as the Fezelas and our third team, are all playing semi-finals this weekend. Our youth club's numbers are up. And there was outstanding rugby played during our hostel league.

"The biggest challenge we faced after the Varsity Cup Tournament was to get our first team players to rediscover their passion for rugby. They must enjoy playing. They are, after all, student-athletes, not athletes. It is essential that they graduate. This week, one of our players came to us and said that next week will be tough as he is writing three tests. He was immediately told to focus on his studies."

According to Boshoff, in the semi-final tomorrow, the aim will be to play good-running student rugby.

"Our backline players are not the biggest, but what some of them might lack in size, they make up for with skill. They could change the outcome of the game at any time."

Kick-off for the semi-final clash between Tuks and Naka Bulls is 16:00. It is an away game for Tuks.