The North-West University (NWU) hopes to bring the high-flying University of the Western Cape (UWC) down to earth when the two teams meet for the second time in the Varsity Football semi-final double header on Thursday 12 September in Cape Town.

Should the NWU’s Noble Boys manage to end the UWC’s run of wins, this will be their first ever Varsity Football final – something they’ve come close to three times before.

“I believe that lightning does not strike twice in the same place,” NWU coach Karabo Masehela says.

“Since having lost 2-3 in the round-robin game against UWC last week, revenge will definitely be on the minds of my players.”

The NWU is the only team of the four semi-finalists who are yet to lift the Varsity Football trophy. The University of Pretoria (UP Tuks) boast three titles (2013, 2014 and 2017), and Tswane University of Technology (TUT) are desperate to match them, having won in 2016 and last year. UWC held the trophy in 2015.

Having missed their chance of hosting a semi-final due to their loss last week, NWU captain Paseka Matsheka says they have learned a few lessons from their previous encounter. 

“We learned a lot from our last game, and I believe we will not repeat our mistakes again,” he says. “We are focussing on harnessing all the opportunities that come our way.”

Paseka is mindful of the pressure he and his team are under, especially considering their history in the tournament.

“We want to be successful at what our predecessors could not achieve the past seven years of Varsity Football. We want to do well and be victorious,” adds the fourth-year BCom Management student.

The NWU is expected to have a full-strength squad available for Thursday’s match, which will kick off second at 18:15.

“We do not have injuries or suspensions, but we will be making slight changes to the starting line,” reveals coach Masehela.

“The Noble Boys are psychologically and physically ready for this game. They are motivated and hungry for the opportunity to play in the Varsity Football final and to hoist the NWU flag high.”

The first-ever Varsity Football semi-final double header will take place on Thursday, 12 September at the UWC Sports Stadium. TUT will be taking on UP Tuks at 16:00, and then the NWU and UWC will be butting heads at 18:15. Both matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport channel 4.

 NWU defender Lesego Motsepe dribbles past UWC during their previous encounter in Cape Town.