The Students tackle last year's runners-up at Riawena Oval, and the winners will advance to the final four on Monday.

Merewether won the statewide knockout in 2002-03, 2006-07 and 2007-08, but University skipper Scott Tutton believes his young side will take a fearless approach to the winner-take-all showdown.

"A lot of our guys are in their first or second seasons of first grade and that might work to our advantage," he said.

"They are keen to learn and this is only going to help their development. We'll have nothing to lose."

University reached last year's one-day final, accounting for South Coast powerhouse Oak Flats and Illawarra rivals Helensburgh and Dapto on their way to the final eight, but will have their hands full with the Newcastle heavyweights.

Merewether eliminated the University of Newcastle last round, thanks to 108 from perennial NSW and Australian Country representative Simon Moore and a five-wicket haul by offspinner Trent Bush.

"Moore has scored piles and piles of runs in all forms of the game and with Bush it's a case of minimising the damage," Tutton said.

To that end, University will rely on a combination of suffocating pressure in the field and a balanced batting effort.

"We have everyone chipping in with the bat, (Illawarra representative) Kurt Miller is due for a big one and Wayne Livermore has been our best this year and York Statham is coming off a 90 not out," Tutton said.

"In the field, our game plan is to restrict teams as much as possible, field well and take our chances."

The two sides that emerge unbeaten from the two-day carnival will play the final at the SCG on January 17.