A limited number of spectators will be in attendance for the first time since the popular tournament was halted in 2020 due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Shimlas captain, Thabang Mahlasi, told OFM Sport that they are raring to go.

“The boys are very excited and I can feel it in terms of the vibe that is going around.

“Everyone is just excited to play and even more so because there will be supporters. It's been such a long time since everyone has played with supporters around.

“We are going to play some good rugby and the cheering from the fans will definitely drive us.”

Kick-off at the UWC Sports Grounds is at 19:00. At the same time, the Central University of Technology Ixias will tackle the University of Johannesburg in Bloemfontein.

UWC – 15 Tiaan-Thomas Henecke, 14 Will Vraagom, 13 Aydon Topley, 12 Lyle Hendricks (captain), 11 Peter Williams, 10 Hanno van Biljon, 9 Conwill Conradie, 8 Shaine Orderson, 7 Godfrey Muzanarwo, 6 Nicholas Chipanje, 5 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 4 Reece Bocks, 3 Riaan van der Merwe, 2 Mauritz Swart, 1 Keon Links.

Replacements - 16 Andries Engelbrecht, 17 Keanuh Michaels, 18 Justin Theys, 19 Jacques Mostert, 20 Angelo Rossouw, 21 Bradman Grove, 22 Thandile Hoyi, 23 Gilroy Lee Philander.

Shimlas – 15 Litha Nkula, 14 Asanda Kunene, 13 Janco Klinck, 12 Janco van Heyningen, 11 Cham Zondeki, 10 George Lourens, 9 Chadd Adams, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Lourens Oosthuizen, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Thabang Mahlasi (captain), 4 Nathan Jordan, 3 Matthew Golden, 2 Carl Wijburg, 1 Johan Schutte.

Replacements - 16 William Moffat, 17 Melusi Mthabela, 18 Jan Meades, 19 Reinier Viljoen, 20 Kwezi Dlamini, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Jooste Nel, 23 Luyanda Mkhize.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport