The pressure will be on in the penultimate round (Round 6) before the FNB Varsity Cup play-offs the following Monday.
With 6 teams still in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals, Round 6 could have a major influence on the final Log positions and play-off venues this year.
Log-leaders FNB UP-Tuks face 4th-placed FNB UJ in a high-stakes Gauteng derby in Johannesburg, while the other big game will see the unbeaten FNB UFS-Shimlas host defending champions FNB UCT in Bloemfontein.
The other 2 matches will involve teams in the bottom half of the standings, with FNB NWU-Pukke looking to move into the Top 4 with an away win against newcomers FNB CUT and 3-times champions FNB Maties hoping to keep their play-off hopes alive when they host FNB NMMU.
The Stellenbosch side have only missed out on the semi-finals once in 2011, and they will know that defeat to the 7th-placed Madibaz will take their fate out of their hands.
Maties showed good character to fight back and beat UJ for their 1st win of the season in Round 5, but they will face an NMMU side that will be desperate to salvage something from a disappointing campaign.
In Bloemfontein the CUT Ixias will want to be more competitive after suffering 5 heavy defeats so far, but have their work cut out for them against a hungry NWU-Pukke side, while across town UFS-Shimlas will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak against a confident Ikeys team coming off a big win in Potchefstroom.
The final match of the evening will be in Johannesburg where UJ will be out to prove their play-off credentials at home against a rampant UP-Tuks side that has their eye on a home semi-final.
In the Varsity Shield the Top 2 teams will do battle when unbeaten FNB Wits host FNB UKZN in Johannesburg, while FNB UWC’s slim chances of catching them rest on their clash with FNB TUT in Bellville.
The winner in Johannesburg will go to the top of the standings, and the equation is simple for UWC who have to win their last 3 games to have any hope of sneaking into the final.
There will be a replay of last year’s epic Varsity Young Guns final on Monday when defending champions UFS take on the only other team to have won the title – UP-Tuks, while CUT face UJ in Bloemfontein and the Junior Maties host NMMU in Stellenbosch.
There will be just 2 matches in the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championship with Steinhoff Medies up against Steinhoff Stallions in a curtain-raiser to the main game in Stellenbosch and Steinhoff Bastion up against 3-time champions Steinhoff Vishuis in Johannesburg.
Varsity Cup Round 6:
FNB UFS-Shimlas vs FNB UCT:
(Shimla Park, Bloemfontein – Kick-Off: 16:45 SA Time – Live on Supersport 1)
FNB UFS-Shimlas: 15 AJ Coertzen (Captain), 14 Vuyani Maqina, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Mthokozisi Mkhabela, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Gerhard Olivier, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Niel Claassen, 4 Johan van der Hoogt, 3 Chase Morison, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Theunis Neuwoudt
Replacements: 16 Elandre Huggett, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Boela Venter, 19 De Wet Kruger, 20 Renier Botha, 21 JP Coetzee, 22 Refuoe Rampete, 23 Conraad van Vuuren.
FNB UCT: 15 Khanyo Ngcukana, 14 Richard Stewart, 13 Lihleli Xoli, 12 Nicholas Holton, 11 Dylan Sage, 10 Warren Seals, 9 James Alexander, 8 Guy Alexander, 7 Mark Prior, 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Jade Kriel, 3 Digby Webb, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Joel Carew
Replacements: 16 Michael Kennedy, 17 Robin Murray, 18 Luke Stringer, 19 Tinotenda Zakeyo, 20 Ryand Dugmore, 21 Guy Schwikkard, 22 Nathan Nel, 23 Kyle Whyte.
Referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: JJ Wagner
FNB Maties vs FNB NMMU:
(Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch – Kick-Off: 18:30 SA Time)
FNB Maties: TBC
FNB NMMU: 15 Jarryd Buys (Captain), 14 Tythan Adams, 13 Micheal Barnardt, 12 Devon Lailvaux, 11 Brian Skosana, 10 Steven Hansel, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Philip Odendaal, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 Robert Louw, 4 Stephan Zaayman, 3 Steven Robbeson, 2 Jody Reyneke, 1 Marzuk Maarman
Replacements: 16 Dane van der Westhuyzen, 17 Laurence Christie, 18 Elandre van der Merwe, 19 Ivan-John du Preez, 20 Ivan ludick, 21 Andile Jho, 22 Khaya Malotana, 23 Arno Ebersohn.
Referees: Quinton Immelman, Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
FNB CUT vs FNB NWU-Pukke:
(CUT Rugby Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kick-Off: 18:30 SA Time)
FNB CUT: 15 Henry immelman, 14 Dean Kouprihanoff, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Lethole Makoena, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Christiaan Erasmus, 8 Jean Pretorius, 7 Jean-Claude Fourie, 6 Frans Sisita (Captain), 5 Fanie Coetzee, 4 JJ Nel, 3 Niel Schoombee, 2 Len Noort, 1 Gerard Baard
Replacements: 16 Juandre Roux, 17 Ian Smith, 18 Rayno Nel, 19 Victor Maruping, 20 Dean Jacobs, 21 Dean Rossouw, 22 Naude van Biljon, 23 Boetie Makethlo.
FNB NWU-Pukke: TBC
Referees: Francois Pretorius, Rodney Boneparte
Assistant Referees: Local
FNB UJ vs FNB UP-Tuks:
(UJ Stadium, Johannesburg – Kick-Off: 19:00 – Live on Supersport 1)
FNB UJ: 15 Ronald Brown, 14 Bradley Moolman, 13 Robert De Bruyn, 12 Adriaan Vermeulen, 11 Aphiwe Dyanti, 10 Jaco Fourie, 9 Chuma Faas, 8 Dylan Peterson, 7 Kyle Van Dalen, 6 Kobus Porter (Captain), 5 David Antonites, 4 Werner Lourens, 3 Nico Du Plessis, 2 Siphatho Qinisile, 1 Gareth Milasinovich
Replacements: 16 Jannes Snyman, 17 Raeez Salie, 18 Griffith van Wyk, 19 Wiaan Conradie, 20 Hilton Mudarika, 21 James Campbell, 22 Dominic Kroezen, 23 Brandon Landsberg.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Dewald Human, 14 Damian van Wyk, 13 Daniel Kriel, 12 John Jackson, 11 Jermaine Kleinsmith, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 André Warner, 8 Jannes Kirsten, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg (Captain), 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli
Replacements: 16 Jan Enslin, 17 Neethling Fouche, 18 Dennis Visser, 19 Clyde Davids, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Jacques Rossouw, 22 Adrian Maebane, 23 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Tahla Ntshakaza
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Johan Greeff
FNB Varsity Shield fixtures:
FNB UWC vs FNB TUT:
UWC Sports Stadium, Bellville – Kick-Off: 18:30 SA Time)
FNB Wits vs FNB UKZN:
(Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg – Kick-Off: 18:30 SA Time)
FNB Varsity Young Guns fixtures:
Steinhoff Junior Maties vs FNB NMMU Young Guns:
(Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch – Kick-Off: 14:00 SA Time)
FNB UFS Young Guns vs FNB UP-Tuks Young Guns:
(Shimla Park, Bloemfontein – Kick-Off: 14:15 SA Time)
FNB CUT Young Guns vs FNB UJ Young Guns:
(CUT Rugby Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kick-Off: 16:00 SA Time)
Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championship fixtures:
Steinhoff Medies vs Steinhoff Stallions:
(Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch – Kick-Off: 16:15 SA Time)
Steinhoff Bastion vs Steinhoff Vishuis:
(UJ Stadium, Johannesburg – Kick-Off: 16:45 SA Time)
PSDT’s 2015 rugby season is over (reportedly torn knee ligaments to the same knee as previously)
A tragedy for the Bokke, Sharks, rugby fans & the player …
@ Angostura:
Pretty depressing, heart is broken for the guy.
That’s pretty much a career ender.
Terrible news indeed.
Any suggestions for a logical replacement in the SA “pecking order”?
Not nice at all; seems like he has the same bad luck as David Pocock except PSdT is obviously quite a bit younger.
I feel for you, guys.
@ Scrumdown:
I think the thing that will upset the people (especially in SW) is that it means Matfield has nearly no other competition.
Surely people will come out and complain now that Matfield played and we didn’t give youngsters a chance, when in fact Matfield played because the youngsters were injured.
Flip has been successful at 5 in the past, but we are also short at nr 4.
Pecking order (for me)
Matfield
Eben
“paul” botha
Lewies
Albert can also slot in at 4, I wont be surprised in Paul Willemse comes into the extended RC squad.
Eben must still regain match fitness 😆
The Bokke are OK as far as locks are concerned.
Matfield schooled Pieter-Steph du Toit anyway a couple of weeks ago. One cannot have a player with massive potential but who is brittle, that unfortunately is a fatal flaw and Pieter-Steph seems to be one of those!
Flip van der Merwe should be back in April… then give him a few weeks to get his form up… think he could be adequate backup to both the No 4 & No 5 lock positions… he has not done badly when he had to fill in at No 5, when there was no Matfield.
Eben Etzebeth is there, and then a Ruan Botha or a Paul Willemse could come in as backup, neither will let the Bokke down.
I think Flip van der Merwe, as part of the old firm, is a bloody strong scrummager behind the props and is good enough in the lineouts. To me a lock MUST be able to be a strong scrummager, apart from his lineout duties and his role in other facets of play.
We’ve now seen how well the Stormers scrum performs, with proper scrum training and technique, which Proudfoot has provided… so there is no reason why Ruan Botha should not be adequate as a good scrummaging lock.
Forget Lewies and the other pretenders…
I’d seriously think about getting Proudfoot in to help the Bokke, the man knows his craft!
As far as props go, Doc Jannie seems to have scrummed well on the weekend and we now have a number of backup tightheads… Marcell van der Merwe, Ruan Dreyer, Coenie die Boef and the man from the Pumas (now with the Stormers) Vincent “van Koch”. The Stormers’ Frans Malherbe does not cut it I am afraid, and Julian Redelinghuys is also currently disappointing for the Lions!
Looseheads are not a problem anymore either… Beast, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk van der Merwe, Morné Mellett & the Ginger Ninja (Steven Kitskos).
I think the Bokke will have the forwards to do it!!
As far as backline players go, there are still a few gaps to fill in… scrummie, both centres, right wing. In this regard the next few weeks need to provide the answers…
@ grootblousmile:
As far as backline players go we will likely have to rely on 12-man rugby.
9 @ MacroBull:
Apart from the consumate scrummie (if Fourie du Preez does not come back and shapes properly) the rest of the backline could be filled in well… if they choose wisely and develope a style which suits THOSE players!
There are players like Kobus van Wyk just itching to play right wing, the centres… between Janneman, De Allende and a couple of others… should be OK. It’s all about choices AND applying them well!
Mmmm, great stuff… we have just been approached to use some of our Images (ones that we hold the rights on) by E-TV in a program they are making.
I have no problem with that, of course, I am not one to hogg stuff like that!
It is quite incredible how the cheetahs lost when you look at the stats:
Cheetahs/Sharks
Penalties conceded
6/15
Lineouts won
18/11 (sharks stole 3)
Scrums won
4/6
Scrums lost
1/2
Tackles
61/130
Tackles Missed
8/25
Defenders beaten
25/8
Possession
66/34
Territory
66/34
Offloads
16/9
Passes
182/88
Meters Run
397/356
Handling errors (I looked at the other games as well, this appears to be the average across the competition, Chiefs had 19)
18/17
Kicks from hand (also, pretty average)
21/28
Scoreboard
10/27
Stats is not all its meant to be, then again both teams were also just crap.
grootblousmile wrote:
is it that Facebook photo of yours?
I see Duane Vermeulen will be rested as per the SARU agreement vs the Highlanders,
This means that bye weekends does not count… hmmm
Will make for an interesting team selection for both the bulls and sharks this weekend.
13 @ MacroBull:
Nooooooooo
Hahaha
@ grootblousmile:
Goed so, ek het gelees Etv het n spot oop op die late night shows 😉
16 @ MacroBull:
Hahaha
Nee jong, dit gaan op ‘n program wees tussen 11:30 en 11:50 in die oggend. Gaan glo oor John Mametsa wat vir die Bulls gespeel het. Weet noggie watter dag volgende week nie… het gevra.
Flip
Ek het maar net geglimlag toe ek lees hoe heelwat ondersteuners nog steeds vir Vic afskryf en nie eintlik kan wag dat hy padgee sodat PSDT en die jonger brigade kan oorneem nie.
En nou is dit nog net die ooms wat staande bly en goeie rugby speel. Sal nie verbaas wees as Bakkies en oom Frik opgeroep vir hoër diens deur HM nie, want die jongmanne breek gou.
Daar is stories, en dan is daar feite, van Supersport:
The statistics for the season so far show how sorely Du Toit will be missed by the Sharks. He has taken more lineout ball than any other player in the competition thus far, with his only hiccup in the first five games being the first half of his battle against Bok veteran Victor Matfield two weeks ago.
Dit is daardie hiccup wat saakmaak in ‘n WB uitspeel wedstryd.
Weet nie wat ons gaan doen as Vic ook beseer word nie, en nou met PSDT se besering gaan hy nog meer gerus word deur Bulle.
PSDT en Eben of Willemse is die naaste wat ons weer aan ‘n Vic-Bakkies gaan kom, maar dit sal nie sommer weer gebeur nie, want nou met al die geld in Europa gaan die kombinasies nie lank opgebou word nie. Dink PSDT het ook groot fout gemaak om nie Bulle toe te kom om deur die beste slot afgerig te word nie.
Hoop dit gaan wees,
4) Eben en Willemse
5) Vic en Flip
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