UKZN Scalp Targeted by Ambitious College

UKZN Scalp Targeted by Ambitious College. Newcomers Varsity College are eyeing a third consecutive win in the Varsity Shield as they gear up for a significant clash against Tuks in Round Four. After securing their spot in the Shield tournament by defeating Rhodes University last August, Varsity College has shown impressive form under the guidance of head coach Jeremy McLaren.

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A Strong Start to the Varsity Shield Journey

Varsity College has made an excellent start to their Varsity Shield campaign. They dominated the Tshwane University of Technology with a 27-0 victory and followed it up with a commanding 35-16 win over the defending champions, the University of Fort Hare.

Despite this promising start, McLaren believes his team is yet to reach its full potential. “The players have done well in spite of the challenges,” he said. “That attitude bodes well for the future, because the journey will only get tougher from here.”

Building a Winning Culture

The culture and belief within the team have been instrumental to their success. McLaren emphasizes that the team is not filled with individual superstars but consists of players who are committed to playing for one another. “We’ve built this culture over a two-year period,” he explained. “We started to see some results last year in the game against Rhodes. There are aspects of our game that still require work, but those two recent wins are so important and reflect the character of these individuals.”

Rising Expectations and Future Challenges

Varsity College’s early success has set high expectations. Currently, they sit in second place with a maximum haul of 10 log points from two games. A win against the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will further solidify their standing and prepare them for the crucial encounter against Tuks.

“We had a team meeting the other day, and I told the players that they’ve laid the foundation with those two wins. The time has come, though, to build the house,” McLaren stated. “We targeted the two home games against TUT and UFH, as well as the match against UKZN, which won’t involve that much travel – but we’re really building up to the big one against Tuks in Pretoria. That will be a great test for us.”

The Upcoming Durban Derby

Varsity College is not taking UKZN lightly. The Durban derby, scheduled to take place at Howard College Stadium, will be broadcast live on SuperSport. McLaren is aware of the pressures that come with televised matches and the tendency for players to overextend themselves in front of a larger audience. “I’ve noticed that in a few televised schools matches, where players lose their structure because they are trying so hard to impress. That’s why I say that we’re not focusing too much on UKZN, but on our own processes. It’s a big game, and it would be massive for Varsity College if we could pull off a win,” he noted.

Focus on the Process

McLaren also highlighted that UKZN rested some of their key players in their previous match to ensure they are fresh for the clash against Varsity College. “It’s fair to say that we’ll have a score to settle this Friday,” he said.

Conclusion

As Varsity College continues its journey in the Varsity Shield, the team’s focus on building a strong foundation, fostering a collaborative culture, and addressing areas of improvement will be crucial. With their eyes set on a potential victory against Tuks, the upcoming games will be a true test of their mettle and aspirations.