UJ coach Therlow Pietersen says his side can play with freedom in Monday night’s Varsity Cup semi-final against Tuks in Pretoria.
Tuks topped the log with 31 points after winning six of their seven matches, while UJ finished fourth on 21 points – two ahead of defending champions UCT – to secure a playoff spot.
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UJ are back in the semi-finals for the first time since 2018, and Pietersen feels last week’s 51-22 defeat to Tuks in Joburg could work in their favour.
“I think it was a good thing because we now know exactly what to expect from them. We can now pay attention to a few things,” he told Netwerk24.
“We can go on the field on Monday and express ourselves. I think the players were under a lot of pressure this past Monday. They have not been in such a situation before.
“For the semi-finals, the pressure is a bit less on us and more on Tuks. Tuks have to show that they can win the tournament.”
UJ’s turnaround has been remarkable after flirting with relegation last season.
“It’s a big deal for us to get to the semi-finals. There are quite a few of our players who played in the promotion-relegation game last year,” said Pietersen.
“I think for a lot of those guys it’s a feeling that they can’t believe that we were able to turn the ship around so quickly.”
The match in Pretoria kicks off at 7pm following the first semi-final between the NWU Eagles and Maties in Potchefstroom (4:45pm).
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Asem Engage
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