Varsity Football is certainly not a playground for the meek and mild. Last week Wits were involved in a titanic derby with the University of Johannesburg, and this week they are to face defending champions UP-Tuks.
The competition might just be three rounds old, but the games are coming thick and fast,” says Wits coach Mark Haskins. “We’re really looking forward to testing ourselves against a quality outfit like Tuks. They may have had a slow start to the season, but we know they class they possess being the most successful team in the competition.
After a perfect start to the season with solid victories over UKZN (3-2) and UWC (1-0) in the opening two rounds of the 2018 Varsity Football edition, Haskin’s team came back to the earth with a bump last week against UJ (1-2). The conditions were not easy for free-flowing football, and it is therefore that the Wits coach believes his team will get back on the winning track this week.
“My boys were real soldiers against UJ,” Haskins said. “We could hardly play in the second half. It was really tough conditions. I can’t fault the boys for effort and determination. Derbies are always tough. I think UJ deserved the win on the balance of play, but if we give the same amount of courage and determination this week against Tuks, I am confident that we can collect the points.”
Wits will have the advantage of playing at home with Tuks travelling down the highway to face their Juskei neighbours. The match starts at 6:30pm on Thursday.