The first semi-finalists of the 2024 Varsity Cup can be confirmed on Monday evening during the sixth round of the competition.

The log-leading Shimlas are at home to the Maties in Bloemfontein and a win will secure their spot in the playoffs. The Maties are third on the log, however, they are the five-time champions for a good reason and they won’t just roll over.

While the Shimlas are on a four-match winning streak, they will be targeting a complete performance against the team from Stellenbosch.

The Shimlas big-ball carrying centre, Jooste Nel, told OFM Sport it’s always a big one against the five-time champions.

“Playing against Maties excites us as they are one of the traditional rugby universities in South Africa, said Nel.

“Like playing against the Puk (NWU Eagles), it excites us to play against them.

“The focus is here for the game on Monday and we just want to give an 80-minute performance. Throughout the tournament we've shown bits and pieces. Against North West we gave a good 40 minutes and against CUT we gave a good 40 minutes.”

Over at the CUT Rugby Stadium in Bloemfontein, the Ixias are at home to the defending champions, the North West Eagles. The Ixias will head into the game super confident following their tremendous comeback effort against the Shimlas last week. The question remains whether or not they can do it for two weeks in a row.

Both of these games will get underway at 19:00 on Monday evening. At the same time, UJ will host Wits in a Joburg derby. The week's action does however kick-off at 16:45 with the UWC Caracals at home to the UCT Ikeys in a Cape Town derby.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport