Build-up..

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:07:00 +0200

UCT's Steinhoff Cobras are ready to open their account in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships, that after the Ikeys' representatives went down 28-43 to Majuba last Monday.

The Cobras will play against the Barbarians from NMMU this evening, with the Men from the Cape determined to make it one win from two in 2009.

"We're very disappointed after last week," Cobras team manager Warren Butler told varsitycup.co.za.

"Our match fitness let us down a bit, which is to be expected for a first game, but we're determined to win our first game tonight."

Butler singled out wingers Xhanti Nessi (UCT's club captain) and Sinako 'Snakes' Dunywa as the dangermen in the Cobras outfit, adding: "Sinako is a dangerous runner and Nessi's always a guy to watch.

"We're all looking forward to the game and we want to make up for last week!"
Of course, another factor spurring the Cobras on is that they will play a curtain-raiser to the UCT first team's Varsity Cup match against hosts, NMMU.

As an added incentive, the NMMU-UCT fixture will also double up as the first-ever Monte Taljaard Trophy match in memory of the club's outstanding young flanker Monte Taljaard, who lost his life in a car accident last September.

"Monts was a good friend of ours, so we'll also be going out there to honour him tonight," said Butler.

"It's a great idea to play for the Monte Taljaard Trophy, and when our game is over, we'll hit the stands and support the first team, before hopefully celebrating two wins for UCT afterwards!"