The FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International returns to action today Monday (2 February) with two clashes in Cape Town and Pretoria.
Both fixtures will be live on SuperSport 201 at 4.45pm and 7pm respectively.
The first round sees FNB UWC take on FNB UKZN Impi in Bellville while FNB TUT Vikings and FNB Fort Hare slog it out in Pretoria.
UWC had a disappointing campaign last year and coach Peter de Villiers knows it is vital to get off to a good start, especially in front of the university’s home fans. The team finished fourth last season and the former Springbok coach knows how important it is to seize every opportunity.
“We are going to play total rugby, they are going to look at the situation and play what is in front of them. There is no way in the ten weeks of the competition that you can trip over anything, you have got one opportunity and you must take it,” De Villiers said.
UWC came from behind to beat UKZN when the sides met last year in Durban, and the visitors will be looking to return the favour in what will be the first game on the 2015 Varsity Rugby calendar.
UKZN Impi, meanwhile, will look to build on their strong season which saw them reach their first-ever Varsity Shield final and play a promotion/relegation play-off against UJ. The Durban-side parted ways with former All Blacks coach John Mitchell and recruited Sharks Under-19 coach Ryan Strudwick and De Villiers expects a tough challenge.
“UKZN was a different team last year because they got some assistance from the Sharks, so we expect them to build on the kind of structures that were put in place,” De Villiers said.
In the other Varsity Shield match, hosts TUT Vikings will begin life under new coach Sax Chirwa.
Their opponents the Fort Hare Blues are looking to build on last season which saw them finish in third position, although coach Elliot Fana has had to make something of a new start with many of his senior players no longer available.
He is confident that the new players have what it takes to step up, but knows that they face a stern test from what will be a determined TUT side.
“I think the new players are up to it, they will be no pushovers and they will be able to stand their ground.
“We also have to maintain where we were last year, so it is a huge challenge for us,” said Fana.
All of Monday’s teams and match details:
FNB UWC v FNB UKZN Impi
Venue: UWC Stadium, Bellville
Time: 4.45pm
Live on: SuperSport 201
FNB UWC: 15 Darian Hock, 14 Gavian Cloete, 13 Minenhle Mthethwa, 12 Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 Quaid Langeveldt, 9 Matthew Nortje, 8 Darren Luiters, 7 Jose Julies (captain), 6 Matthew Faught, 5 Stuart Austin, 4 Heynes Kotze, 3 Tahriq Allen, 2 Lifa Ghana, 1 Curtis Beukes.
Replacements: 16 Chadwin Robertson, 17 Wayron Losper, 18 Mitch Lingeveldt, 19 Brandon Beukman, 20 Damian Stevens, 21 Lubabalo Faleni, 22 Shane Pietersen, 23 Gustav Heydenrych.
FNB UKZN Impi: 15 Spa Dube, 14 Hendrik Lategan, 13 Marcel Coetzee, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Shayne Makombe, 10 Inny Radebe, 9 Graham Koch, 8 Adam Wessels, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Lwazi Ngcungama, 5 Christie van der Merwe, 4 David Harel, 3 Sizwe Kubheka, 2 Chris de Beer, 1 Njabulo Mkize.
Replacements: 16 Mikyle Webster, 17 Ntando Mpofana, 18 Michael Hutton, 19 Sanele Malwane, 20 Langelihle Shange, 21 Gavin Nyawata, 22 Yandisa Mdolomba, 23 Matthew Mandioma.
FNB TUT Vikings v FNB Fort Hare Blues
Venue: TUT Stadium, Pretoria
Time: 7pm
Live on: SuperSport 1
FNB TUT Vikings: 15 Paul Walters, 14 Tovhowani Nefale, 13 Vian Riekert, 12 Edwin Oliver, 11 Nelis Snyman, 10 Lee Roy Afrika, 9 Shawn Jaards, 8 Claude Johannes, 7 Attie Joubert, 6 Mandla Mdaka, 5 Jaco van Staden, 4 Armand Marshall, 3 James Frost, 2 Hamish Herd (captain), 1 Wian van Schalkwyk.
Replacements: 16 Jean Claude le Roux, 17 Ryan Sim, 18 Ross Middelcote, 19 Wessel Jordaan, 20 Deon Joubert, 21 Dylan du Buisson, 22 DK Mukendi, 23 RW De Wal.
FNB Fort Hare Blues: 15 Akhona Matutu, 14 Hlubi Mvana, 13 Lundi Ralarala, 12 Lithabile Mgwadleka, 11 Aziyena Mandaba, 10 Sivakele Ulana, 9 Khaya Siqoko, 8 Athenkosi Manentsa, 7 Madoda Ludidi, 6 Siphesihle Punguzwa, 5 Sibusiso Sityebi, 4 Lwando Nteta, 3 Olwethu Mputla, 2 Sesethu Time, 1 Lwando Mabenge.
Replacements: 16 Lutho Klaas, 17 Zanoxolo Qwele, 18 Ntyatyambo Mkhafu, 19 Malusi Vula, 20 Elandre Sias, 21 Siviwe Bisset, 22 Khanyiso Komani, 23 Litha Labase.
