Varsity Cup and Shield Previews – 15 February 2016
In the opening match of Round Two FNB NMMU-Madibaz host FNB Maties at the NMMU Stadium. The last time the two sides met in PE was in 2014 and it was the FNB Madibaz who blew the FNB Maties away. The FNB Madibaz fell just short of FNB UJ in their opening match and will eye a first victory of 2016. Maties will hope to continue their fine start to the tournament following their 40-0 hammering of FNB CUT in Round One.
FNB NWU-Puk face FNB UJ at the Fanie du Toit Sport Fields on Monday, in a clash between two teams yet to be defeated. The boys from Johannesburg have proven to be a bit of an Achilles heel for the NWU-Puk in the past and the hosts will need to box clever. Coach Jonathan Mokuena is expecting an onslaught from FNB UJ and his team will need to be smart to breach their miserly defence.
Pote Human, coach of FNB Tuks will hope to put what he labelled a “disaster” behind him, following FNG Tuks’ opening round defeat to FNB Pukke. On Monday night his side hosts defending champions, FNB Shimlas. The defending champions got their title defence off to a perfect start when they defeated FNB UCT in Cape Town in their opening round. FNB Shimlas will hope to continue their success on the road.
FNB CUT Ixias need to put the FNB Maties match behind them and perform to their potential in their first home match, againstFNB UCT in Bloemfontein on Monday night. Both sides lost their first round matches last week and will be pushing to register their first victory of 2016. FNB CUT coach, Skillie Bester, believes that FNB UCT will provide a tough challenge.
In Varsity Shield action, the FNB UFH team will travel to Durban on Sunday, 14 February, ahead of their Monday night clash against champions FNB UKZN. On the previous visit to Durban, FNB UFH suffered a 42-0 loss. But that will mean little when the visitors arrive, aiming for their first victory of the campaign.
The FNB TUT Vikings head coach, Hennie Pieterse, believes that the result from Monday’s match does not determine their future in the Varsitry Shield. His men will host Chester Williams’ FNB UWC team on Monday night. In a bold statement, Pieterse claimed that his team will “play them [UWC] to the ground” when the teams meet on Monday night.
Fixtures – Monday 15 February 2016:
FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International
16:45 FNB NMMU-Madibaz vs FNB Maties (NMMU Stadium). Live on SuperSport 1
18:30 FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB UFS Shimlas (Tuks Stadium).
18:30 FNB CUT vs FNB UCT Ikeys (CUT Rugby Stadium).
19:00 FNB NWU-Pukke vs FNB UJ (Fanie du Toit Sports Ground). Live on SuperSport 1
FNB Varsity Shield, presented by Steinhoff International
18:30 FNB UKZN-Impi vs FNB UFH (Peter Booysen Sports Park)
18:30 FNB TUT vs FNB UWC (TUT Stadium)
FNB Young Guns and Steinhoff Koshuis Rugby Championships both kick off on Monday night, 15 February, adding five exciting fixtures to Monday night’s rocking rugby action:
Steinhoff Koshuis Rugby Championship
16:15 Steinhoff Mopanie vs Steinhoff Tornadoes (Tuks Stadium)
16:45 Steinhoff Patria vs Steinhoff Oppeiriff (Fanie du Toit Stadium)
19:00 Steinhoff Harlequins vs Steinhoff Rhinos (NMMU Stadium)
FNB Varsity Young Guns presented by Steinhoff International
14:00 FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB Kovsies (Tuks Stadium)
14:15 FNB NMMU vs FNB NWU-Pukke (NMMU Stadium)
Did you know…?
Pink Ball and the strategy break: The pink ball will be in play directly after the strategy break, for two minutes. Varsity Shield sponsors will donate R5,000 for every try scored by the home team in the Varsity Shield while the pink ball is in play. Varsity Cup sponsors will donate R10,000 for every try scored by the home team in the Varsity Cup while the pink ball is in play.
Pink shorts: Pink shorts will be worn by the players who earned man of the match awards in their previous match.
Pink laces: Pink laces are given to players who have completed an undergrad degree at university.
Photo: Anton Geyser / SASPA
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