Varsity Cup Previews – 8 February 2016
Oskar Calitz from FNB Tuks, is set to make his FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International debut against FNB NWU-Pukke in the opening round of South Africa’s ultimate student rugby competition and feels honoured to pull over the No.12 jersey worn by past players such as Handré Pollard and Dan Kriel.
Back in the Western Cape, the University of Stellenbosch (FNB Maties) will host the Central University of Technology (FNB CUT) at the Danie Craven Stadium in the opening round of the 2016 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
The FNB Maties haven’t had the best of runs in the previous few years of the competition, having last won the tournament back in 2010, but with strengthened additions to their squad and coaching staff, the men in maroon will be eager to start their season strongly on Monday in reach of Varsity Cup success.
Former Griquas head coach and Cheetahs Super Rugby backline coach, Hawies Fourie, replaced Chris Rossouw at the end of last year as the new head coach of FNB Maties, with Rossouw moving to assistant coach. Fourie’s coaching experience at provincial level will add benefits to an already strong FNB Maties side that is filled with experienced players, as well as young talented players who have earned their place in the squad for Monday’s match.
The FNB UJ side will kick off its “Back Your Boytjies” campaign with a home game against The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Madibaz, on February 8, 2016, and will be led by Kobus Porter, under the guidance of coach Werner Janse van Rensburg.
FNB Ikey Tigers playing host to FNB UFS Shimlas in a rematch of their semi-final clash from last season. Both teams have been crowned champions in the previous two seasons of the tournament and are undoubtedly prepared for the first test of their respective seasons.
The FNB UFS Shimlas are the defending Varsity Cup championships. They are quite happy with their pre-season preparation, and also feels that their conditioning and fitness are at a high standard.
Background information – Round 1
Varsity Cup ready to rock your Monday nights
But…what is the score?
It’s a question we’ll all be asking ourselves on Monday 8 February, when the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International kicks off and we get back to backing our boytjies. And this is how you’ll know the answer.
Fans and players saw the new scrum and maul laws in action for the first time, while many popular elements of the Varsity Shield returned, on 1 February when the 2016 tournament began.
The pink ball and pink shorts returned, along with the strategy break. The points scoring for Varsity Shield remains the same in 2016, where teams will be rewarded two points for penalty kicks, three for conversions and five for tries.
The Varsity Cup, however, will be implementing an entirely different set of points scoring rules.
Additional points will be awarded to tries, depending on where the play originated, allowing for nine- and seven-point tries. Penalties will be worth the traditional three points, conversions will be worth two points and drop goals will be worth three points.
Don’t forget the exciting pink elements that will be featured in all Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield matches in 2016.
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.
Fixtures – Monday 8 February 2016:
FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International
16:45 FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB NWU-Pukke (Tuks Stadium). Also live on SuperSport 1
18:30 FNB Maties vs FNB CUT (Danie Craven Stadium).
18:30 FNB UJ vs FNB NMMU Madibaz (UJ Stadium).
19:00 FNB UCT Ikeys vs FNB UFS Shimlas (UCT Rugby Fields). Also live on SuperSport 1
FNB Varsity Shield, presented by Steinhoff International
18:30 FNB UWC vs FNB UKZN (UWC Sports Stadium)
18:30 FNB WITS vs FNB TUT (Wits Rugby Stadium)
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