Numerous of the players currently playing in the Varsity Cup caught the attention of Fourie and this includes the CUT Ixias trio of Cohan Jasper, Zinedine Booysen, and Eddie Davids.

With the recent retirement of the Cheetahs loosehead prop, Charles Marais, and outside back, William Small-Smith, it makes sense that Fourie is keenly watching Davids and Cohen Jasper.

While with Ruben de Haas having left for Saracens, the Ixias scrumhalf, Zinedine Booysen, can be a more than suitable replacement.

Fourie told OFM Sport that the Ixias trio impressed him and the number one player on his wish list is the UCT Ikeys flyhalf, James Tedder.

“Regarding the Varsity Cup there are a few guys that stood out for me, especially at the CUT. Guys like Eddie Davids, Zinedine Booysen, and Cohen Jasper. The three of them played well, and they played well as a team.

“At Wits, Henco van Wyk, the outside centre, impressed me. Obviously, there are quite a few guys at UCT who are playing well.  Neil Otto, the number six flanker, then Connor Evans and Gary Porter at lock.

“For me, the outstanding player of the Varsity Cup is James Tedder at flyhalf. So there are quite a few players that draw our attention, but we haven’t got open spaces for a lot of them.

“I would have liked to contract a guy like Tedder, but we’ve got enough flyhalves on our books, so I won’t be able to contract him.”

Recently, the Ixias scrummaging chef, Janu Botha, signed a contract that will see him play for the Tafel Lager Griquas until at least the end of 2022.

The former Maties coach, Fourie, is waiting for the finalised contracts before his new players can be revealed, hopefully by the end of the week.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport