Varsity Cup action today and all team have something to play for

Mar 28 • General News, Varsity & Club, Varsity Cup • 3075 Views • Comments Off on Varsity Cup action today and all team have something to play for

On Monday 28 March, the final round of FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International matches will take place at Cape Town Stadium. And every single one of the eight teams has something to play for.

FNB Maties:
The men from Stellenbosch may have secured top spot on the log, however they are yet to lose a match in 2016 and will aim to keep their perfect record and maintain momentum entering into the semi-final.

FNB UJ:
Although they are sitting pretty in second place, FNB UJ will need to defeat FNB Maties in their final match. Not just to secure their number two spot, but mathematically they could drop as low down as fifth and out of a semi-final place, should FNB Tuks get a bonus-point victory and surpass FNB UJ’s points difference, while FNB UJ lose without a bonus point. It is a long shot, as FNB Shimlas would need to win, while FNB Pukke would need to lose by seven points or less and score four or more tries. But this is the Varsity Cup, anything is possible!

FNB Pukke:
The Potchefstroom outfit’s semi-final spot hangs in the balance. They currently rest in third spot, but have to face FNB Shimlas in their final match. They could finish anywhere from second place to fifth, depending on their own result, FNB Tuks’ result as well as FNB UJ’s result.

FNB Shimlas:
The defending Varsity Cup champions currently hold the last semi-final spot, but while they have lost two in a row, FNB Tuks are hot in their heels, having won three on the trot. FNB Tuks face an FNB UCT side that are yet to win a match this season and will fancy their chances. The FNB Shimlas versus FNB Pukke match is shaping up to be a cracker, with a quarter-final feel to it.

FNB Tuks:
It was the worst possible start to 2016 for FNB Tuks, as they lost the opening three matches of the season. But a remarkable turnaround has seen the FNB Tuks team win three matches in succession and move to within two points of a semi-final place. They face a demoralised FNB UCT side, who haven’t registered a single victory in 2016. In theory, FNB Tuks could finish as high as second place, but they would need a lot of results to go their way. They’ll be satisfied with a top four finish and should get it.

FNB Madibaz:
The Madibaz are out of contention for a top four finish, but have put themselves in a good position to avoid relegation. Their destiny is firmly in their hands, needing just two points to be safe, but even a loss may be enough, depending on FNB UCT’s result. Their match against FNB CUT is set to be another colossal clash.

FNB CUT:
The surprise package of FNB CUT will fancy their chances against FNB Madibaz on Monday. They’ve gone toe-to-toe with sides such as FNB UJ and FNB Shimlas and come up agonisingly short. They too could be safe despite a loss, depending on FNB UCT’s result. But facing FNB Madibaz is the perfect opportunity to move up the log, as every point scored will effectively count double, as their points difference rises while FNB Madibaz’s simultaneously drops.

FNB UCT:
The Ikeys will be rubbing their eyes when they look at the log. Six matches ago nobody would have banked on them ling winless, bottom of the log. If ever there was a test of character, it’s now. They’ll need to overcome a spirited FNB Tuks side with all the momentum in their favour in order to avoid facing the second-placed Varsity Shield team in a relegation playoff.

There isn’t a single dead rubber match on Monday at Cape Town Stadium, as eight teams, with eight different goals, give it their all. For some it will be the final Varsity Cup match of their careers. For others it may just be the beginning of a special run to the 2016 Varsity Cup final, and who knows, perhaps even greater heights.