NMMU-Madibaz head coach Graeme Harrison says that defending champions UP-Tuks will most likely rely on set plays to reach the Varsity Football final.

 

Harrison was critical of the way the Pretoria side plays, but believes their experience will be too much for TUT in the first semifinal on Thursday.

 

"Both those teams have been quite even this season and it will be difficult to choose between the two teams," said Harrison.

 

"However, I think Tuks will take it because of their experience in play-off situations."

 

"Tuks rely on a few individuals to win their games like Jeremiah Nkwana and I don't think they play a good brand of football. They play direct and they take advantage of set plays to help them win games."

 

It will be a wet Cape Town for the second semifinal between UWC and Wits and Harrison feels the conditions will favour the home side in that game.

 

"UWC will be in the final. The field will be wet and Wits will struggle in those conditions. 

 

"We also caught UWC off guard in that final round robin game when we beat them. They were complacent and they underestimated us, but I think that loss will be a big wake-up call for them as well," he said.

 

After NMMU's disappointing run in this year’s tournament, Harrison said he will be looking to the future to try and turn his team into title contenders by 2017.

 

"We will be involved in the SAB League now and we will be out to try and win it.

 

"We also have some youngsters coming in we will be doing a recruitment drive right into next year to strengthen our team in certain positions so that we can challenge again in 2017," Harrison added.