Maties
15 Adriaan van der Bank (captain), 14 Mike Mavovana, 13 Waqar Solaan, 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Anton du Toit, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Simon Miller, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Matt Gray, 4 Juan Beukes, 3 Matimu Manganyi, 2 Sean Swart, 1 Vernon Matongo
Substitutes: 16 Chris Rossouw, 17 Rhynhardt Rijnsburger, 18 Corné Weilbach, 19 Jesse Johnson, 20 Siyabonga Matanda, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Jurie Mathee, 23 Marcqiewn Titus
UP-Tuks
15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Kabelo Mokoena, 13 Zander Reynders, 12 Lincoln Daniels (captain), 11 Tharquinn Manuel, 10 Walter Visser, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Orateng Koikanyang, 7 Stephan Smit, 6 Dian Schoonees, 5 Divan Venter, 4 Mihlali Stamper, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Allister Williams, 1 Ethan Burger
Substitutes: 16 Werner Fourie, 17 André van der Merwe, 18 Daniël Wessels, 19 Justice Nkombua, 20 Hilton Gie, 21 Chad-Lee Valentine, 22 Keane Galant, 23 Ambesa Zenzile.
HIGHLIGHTS: UP-Tuks v Maties (Round 1)
UP-Tuks have relied on the power of their pack and defensive line to win matches. The pressure exerted via their aggressive defence, and their accurate kicking game, has created scoring chances.
Last week, they kept a more fancied Shimlas side scoreless in the second stanza, and ultimately won the semi-final in Bloemfontein 29-20. Much like the Springboks, UP-Tuks have the game plan to win big playoffs and trophies
It will be interesting to see how Maties respond to that type of challenge. They have the pack to meet UP-Tuks head-on – hooker Sean Swart’s try tally of 12 is a testament to the potency of the Maties lineout and maul – but it remains to be seen how they will deploy their backs.
UP-Tuks boast a strong kicking game. Scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde, flyhalf Walter Visser and fullback Stefan Coetzee will work together to win the territorial battle for their side.
Nevaldo Fleurs has been retained at flyhalf despite the return of regular pivot Adriaan van der Bank – who has slotted in at fullback. Whether Maties decide to engage with UP-Tuks in a kicking battle or not remains to be seen.
When you speak to the players, all of them acknowledge the crowd – and the energy of the home supporters in particular – as a key factor.
The Danie Craven Stadium will be packed to the rafters with partisan fans on Monday night. While Maties will need to prevail in a series of mini-battles on the field to win the war, their campaign will be enhanced significantly by home advantage. As the stats suggest, Maties rarely lose big games at the DC.
That said, few people gave UP-Tuks any hope ahead of their semi-final showdown with Shimlas. They certainly have the personnel as well as the game plan to score another big upset – and a record-equalling fifth title.
Kick-off is at 19:00.
