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Stellenbosch - Stellenbosch University rugby coach Chean Roux, says he will need to prepare his all-conquering students for a "massive game" against defending champions Hamilton when the two Western Province heavyweight clubs clash in the semi-finals of the SAA National Club Championships at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday.
Roux, who has coached the Maties to a hat-trick of Varsity Cup titles, said Hammies have impressed in the tournament thus far and would not give up their title without a fight.
"I like the fact we got a good workout against Springs. Two years ago we won our first two games with big scores and we didn't know our weak points - then we played Pukke and were 30 points down at half-time," said Roux.
"Their previous game was a tight one against UJ and they were used to that pressure.
"This time around we've had the tight game, but it's not as if I'm going to have a good night's sleep. We've still got one or two things to work on and we must get it right because Hammies are looking seriously good."
Maties - whose last club title came in 2007 - and Hammies have met twice this season in the WP Super League, with both sides winning their respective home fixture.
But Roux said his team, who are aiming to win an unprecedented 13th national crown, would have to tighten up their approach if they wanted to challenge the champions.
"We've made some mistakes so far and I'd put them down to youthful enthusiasm," he said.
"We've perhaps tried too many offloads instead of being a little bit more conservative and then playing the game from there."
Should Maties beat Hammies and go on to win the title, the students will complete a rare league, Varsity Cup and Club Champs triple.
But Roux downplayed such an achievement. "Don't get me wrong, I want to win every game and we want to win everything, but we're amateurs," he said.
"If we don't win, the sun is still going to shine tomorrow and my family are still going to love me when I wake up. It's not the be-all and end-all but obviously we want to win."
"In Wednesday's other semi-final, 2009 finalists Pukke will face College Rovers of KZN.
The Potch students - champions in 2004, 2006 and 2008 - will be hoping their habit of claiming the title every second season continues.
