The University of the Free State Shimlas will be targeting just their second-ever Varsity Cup title on Monday night when they face the University of Cape Town Ikeys in the final in Bloemfontein.

The Shimlas stunned Maties in Stellenbosch in the semi-finals a week ago, while the Ikeys in turn knocked out the then defending champions, the NWU Eagles, in Potchefstroom.

The Shimlas missed out on the final the two previous seasons when they lost in the semi-finals at home.

The Shimlas 8th-man, Kwezi Dlamini, who has been nominated at the Varsity Cup Forward of the Year, told OFM Sport they are ready.

“It's been a journey for the past couple of years in pushing the project to the final and then also the whole competition, ” said the loose-forward.

“To see the whole thing coming to fruition is very satisfying. We've put a lot of work in over the past couple of years, so it feels good to finally be in the final.”

They Ikeys will be a different beast to contend with and during round one they beat the Shimlas 38-32 in Bloemfontein.

The Shimlas coach, André Tredoux, told OFM Sport that they are geared for one more big push.

“The coaching staff of Melusi Mthethwa and Tiaan Liebenberg did a great job in analysing Maties and getting a plan to the players and the players executed,” said Tredoux.

“But, the attitude in which they executed was really amazing, so it was really pleasing.

“Now we've got a big 80-minutes left and hopefully the boys can bring that same passion and attitude that they had at the Danie Craven Stadium.”

Monday night’s big final at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein kicks off at 19:00.

UFS Shimlas – 15 Michael Annies, 14 Siviwe Zondani, 13 Nkoka Ngobe, 12 Zane Bester, 11 Asanda Kunene, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Pierre Uys (captain), 6 Sobe Ningiza, 5 Johnre Stopforth, 4 Reinier Viljoen, 3 Francisco Dos Reis, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 1 Ntokozo Hlophe

Replacements – 16 Vice Hofmeyr, 17 William Pieterse, 18 Riaan van der Merwe, 19 Henri van Heerden, 20 Neels Volschenk, 21 Khanyisa Joni, 22 Christiaan Genis, 23 Avuyile Mabece

UCT Ikeys – 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Joshua Boulle, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Alexander Vermeulen, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Laro Delport, 7 Taariq Kruger, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 Johan van Rhyn (captain), 4 Reynhardt Crous, 3 John Okonkwo, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Luthando Woji

Replacements – 16 Johan Lombard, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Bryan le Roux, 19 Mika Schubert, 20 Wandile Mlaba, 21 Riaan Genis, 22 Kian Davis, 23 Matthew Smith

Morgan Piek OFM Sport