Varsity Cup
There will be all to play for in the final round of league action before the play-offs in the 2014 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
Log-leaders FNB NWU-Pukke are the only team assured of a place in the semifinals, and with five other teams in the running for the other three spots the play-off race is wide open.
At the other end of the log things will be just as tense, as although Johannesburg outfits FNB UJ and FNB Wits cannot make the semifinals there is still the threat of relegation looming this season.
The two games televised live on Supersport One on Monday will have the biggest influence on which teams make the semifinals as sixth-placed FNB UFS-Shimlas host third-placed FNB NMMU and fifth-placed FNB Maties square off with fourth place FNB UP-Tuks in Stellenbosch.
The coastal teams made a charge up the standings at the conclusion of Round 6 of the 2014 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International on Monday night.
There were important wins for FNB UCT, FNB NMMU and FNB Maties in an enthralling penultimate round of matches before the play-offs, leaving the competition wide open heading into the final week of league action.
The Ikey Tigers ran in four tries against FNB UFS-Shimlas to secure their first victory at home on the Green Mile this season and move into second place, just four log points behind pace-setters FNB NWU-Pukke.
The Cape team scored three tries playing into the wind in the first half and then went on to claim the bonus point after half-time as they romped to a 25-5 victory. This result leaves UFS-Shimlas down in sixth place after starting the round in third position.
Torrential rain in the northern part of the country had a big say in the other three matches, as FNB UJ and FNB UP-Tuks slumped to defeats at home, whilst NWU-Pukke were forced to work hard for their victory over FNB Wits in Potchefstroom.
Defending champions UP-Tuks suffered their second consecutive defeat at home, as the Madibaz ground out a crucial 19-9 win which saw them move past the Pretoria side into third place on the standings. It was NMMU’s second big scalp of 2014, having beaten the Maties back in Round 1.
UJ 8 / 24 Maties (Final Score)
FNB UJ (University of Johannesburg) and FNB Maties (University of Stellenbosh)
did battle in the Varsity Cup at Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosh at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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With the play-offs on the horizon, Round Six of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International will have a major bearing on which teams make the knock-outs.
The penultimate round of the league phase of the competition has served up some intriguing clashes, and with seven of the eight sides still in the running for the semi-finals there will be no shortage of intensity on Monday night.
The only team without a chance of making the semi-finals is winless FNB Wits who face another major challenge as they travel to Potchefstroom to take on log-leaders FNB NWU-Pukke in the first match to be televised live on SuperSport 1.
NWU-Pukke are coming off consecutive away wins against FNB NMMU and defending champions FNB UP-Tuks, so they will be aiming for a bonus-point victory in front of their home crowd to extend their lead at the top of the standings.
Down in Cape Town the third-placed FNB Ikey Tigers will be looking for their first home win of the season when they look to tame both the fourth-placed FNB UFS-Shimlas and the notorious wind on the Green Mile.
The Ikeys are unbeaten on the road this season but have not had as much success at home, and they will be tested once again by a UFS-Shimlas team that held FNB Maties to a draw in a windy Stellenbosch last week.
Maties have been very erratic this year and find themselves down in sixth position, but well within striking distance of the top four, and they are up against a desperate UJ side who have just one win to show for their efforts this season.
Despite their troubles this year, UJ’s hopes of making the semi-finals are not over so expect them to have a full go in front of their home crowd with their campaign effectively on the line.
UP-Tuks will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season to NWU-Pukke last week when they host the NMMU Madibaz in Pretoria.
The Madibaz find themselves in fifth place after their tough win over Wits last week, and they face another difficult assignment against a UP-Tuks team determined to bounce back from a defeat at home.
FNB NWU-Pukke handed defending champions FNB UP-Tuks their first defeat of the 2014 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International tournament on Monday to claim top spot on the standings.
Coach Robert du Preez’s team were ruthless in wet conditions Pretoria as they shut out the home side to claim a convincing 18-0 victory and leapfrog them on the log in the process.
FNB UCT recorded their third away win of the season in Johannesburg, scoring five tries on their way to a 37-29 victory over FNB UJ to move up to third position.
The Ikeys have lost both of their home games this season, to table-topping teams UP-Tuks and NWU-Pukke, but have won all of their games on the road, whilst the defeat leaves UJ down in seventh place and facing a tough road to make the semifinals.
The top four after five weeks of action is rounded off by FNB UFS-Shimlas who ended deadlocked at 13-13 with three-time champions FNB Maties in their clash in Stellenbosch.
UJ (16) 29 / 37 (29) UCT (Final Score)
FNB UJ (University of Johannesburg) and FNB UCT (University of Cape Town)
did battle in the Varsity Cup at UJ Stadium, Johannesburg at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Wits (4) 12 / 18 (5) NMMU (Final Score)
FNB Wits (University of the Witwatersrand) and FNB NMMU (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University)
did battle in the Varsity Cup at Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg at 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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There is little to choose between any of the teams in a mouth-watering set of fixtures in Round Five of the 2014 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
With two log positions the biggest gap between any of the teams in each match on Monday, the standings could get another serious shake-up with the play-offs getting ever-closer.
Top spot will be on the line when defending champions FNB UP-Tuks host FNB NWU-Pukke who trail them by just a single point, whilst it will be a very similar scenario in Stellenbosch where FNB Maties will look to move past opponents FNB UFS-Shimlas into third place.
NMMU (0) 16 / 52 (23) Pukke (Final Score)
FNB NMMU (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) and FNB NWU-Pukke (North-West University)
did battle in the Varsity Cup at the Madibaz Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSNN on TV in SA.
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UCT (8) 16 / 26 (8) Tuks (Final Score)
FNB UCT (University of Cape Town) and FNB UP-Tuks (University of Pretoria)
did battle in the Varsity Cup at UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town at 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Just two log points separate the top four teams in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International ahead of Round Four on Monday.
Defending champions FNB UP-Tuks are the only team yet to lose a game this season, and they lead the way but not by much with the chasing pack breathing down their necks.
They will be up against the fourth-placed FNB UCT – who are coming off two big away wins against FNB Maties and FNB NMMU – in the first televised game (live on Supersport One at 16:45) in Cape Town on Monday.
Tuks (8) 26 / 0 (0) Shimlas (Final Score)
FNB UP-Tuks (University of Pretoria) and FNB-UFS Shimlas (University of the Free State)
did battle in Super Rugby at Tuks Rugby Stadium, Pretoria at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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UJ (24) 32 / 15 (2) Wits (Final Score)
FNB UJ (University of Johannesburg) and FNB Wits (University of Witwatersrand)
did battle in the Varsity Cup at UJ Stadium, Johannesburg at 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Three teams remain unbeaten in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, and they will all be on home turf in Round Three on Monday.
FNB NWU-Pukke lead the way after claiming bonus-point victories in both their matches, and they will host a desperate FNB Maties side that have just a single bonus point to show for their efforts so far this season.
The three-time champions are coming off a demoralising defeat to Cape rivals FNB UCT in front of their home crowd in Stellenbosch and now face a tough follow-up assignment against the well-drilled NWU-Pukke outfit in Potchefstroom.
Springbok captain Jean de Villiers on Wednesday became only the sixth player to be named South African Rugby Player of the Year more than once, while Eben Etzebeth was named the Young Player of the Year for 2013 for the second successive season at a glittering ceremony at the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg.
De Villiers led the Springboks to 10 wins in 12 Tests in 2013 and scored five tries in the process following an outstanding Vodacom Super Rugby campaign for the DHL Stormers. His first-class record now stands at 254 matches with 91 tries scored.
Round 2 of Varsity Cup 2014 was played on Monday.
UCT demolished Maties by 33 / 16, Tuks rumbled past Wits by 53 / 8, Pukke put Shimlas to the sword by 48 / 29 and NMMU scored a last gasp try to beat UJ by 21 / 15.
The Varsity Cup is certainly providing a few surprises in 2014, with NMMU the surprize package so far and Maties the most disappointing side to date.
Pukke (8) 48 / 29 (13) Shimlas (Final Score)
The North-West University (FNB Pukke) and University of the Free State (FNB Shimlas) did
battle in the Varsity Cup at Fanie du Toit Sports Ground, Potchefstroom at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Maties (8) 16 / 33 (15) UCT (Final Score)
The University of Stellenbosch (FNB Maties) and University of Cape Town (FNB UCT) did
battle in the Varsity Cup at Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch at 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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The second round of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International will feature two classic rivalries which will both be televised live on Supersport.
The action will kick off on Monday night with the clash between FNB Maties and FNB UCT from the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch and will be followed by the showdown between FNB NWU-Pukke and FNB UFS-Shimlas in Potchefstroom, with both matches broadcast live on Supersport One.
The other two matches will see defending champions FNB UP-Tuks travel to Johannesburg to face last year’s wooden spoonists FNB Wits, whilst just down the road FNB UJ will host the FNB NMMU Madibaz.
Four Varsity Cup matches were played on Monday 3 February in Round 1 of the 2014 season.
We were entertained by some good and interesting rugby, some surprise results and of course we had a chance to see some new innovations in action, the double referee-system, grip patches on prop jerseys and the Free Catch Rule.
The biggest upset of the day was the big loss by 2013 finalists, Maties… or should I say the big win by a spirited Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU Madibaz), by 45 / 29.
Defending champions, Tuks (University of Pretoria), were also lucky to escape with a 18 / 18 draw against UJ (University of Johannesburg).
In the 2 non-televised matches, Pukke (North-West University), comfortably dealt with UCT (University of Cape Town), beating them by 47 / 24, whilst in Bloemfontein Shimlas (University of the Free State) cruised past Wits and beating them 31 / 15.
Tuks (18) 18 / 18 (18) UJ (Final Score)
The University of Pretoria (FNB Tuks) and University of Johannesburg (FNB UJ)
did battle in the Varsity Cup at Tuks Stadium, Pretoria at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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NMMU (21) 45 / 29 (0) Maties (Final Score)
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (FNB NMMU) and University of Stellenbosch (FNB Maties)
did battle in the Varsity Cup at NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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The 2014 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International kicks off on Monday, giving fans their first taste of the new double referee system.
With the new prop jerseys and the ‘Free Catch’ rule enjoying successful debuts in the opening round of Varsity Shield action last week; all eyes will be on the innovation of having two whistlemen on the pitch in the Varsity Cup this season.
Aside from the new law innovations five of the eight teams are being guided by new coaches this season, giving the tournament an even ‘fresher’ feel this year.
It is 2 weeks prior to the kick off of 2 brand new Rugby Tournaments and just less than a month away from kick off of the 3rd Tournament – Super Rugby.
We will have SuperBru Widgets up in the Righthand sidebar for these 3 Pools, for easy access to make your PICKS, go to the POOLS and see an abbreviated version of the LOG in each pool (Top 10).
Rugby-Talk SuperBru pools are open to all REGISTERED RUGBY-TALK SUBSCRIBERS, so if you are not yet registered, get clicking man!
As is the custom and the excitement, Rugby-Talk will be taking part in rugby competitions on SuperBru in 2014 again, but at the end of last year we took it a step further, we also formed our own SuperBru Club, the Rugby-Talk.com Club. The Club gives us an added and combined interface, where messages are posted in the “Social Room”, where the current Rugby-Talk Bru Pools are detailed in the “Games Room”, where members are tabled in the “Members Wall” and where medal standings and tables are displayed in the “Trophy Room”.
So, firstly, join up to the 3 NEW POOLS and also join up at the Rugby-Talk.com Club!
The details are as follows:
John Mitchell says that it is time to put his ego aside as he starts a new chapter of his coaching career with UKZN in the Varsity Shield.
The former All Blacks coach has settled in Durban and said that although it is a significant step down from jobs he has held in the past, the decision to take the position was an easy one.
A lot of rugby will be played this weekend, with the much awaited friendly between Saracens and the Cell C Sharks, the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament in Las Vegas and the LV Cup, amongst others, happening.
The Referees & Match Officials have been named.
Hi,
After an Off-season which certainly drove me slightly more batty than I already was, the new Rugby Season is now close at hand.
The coming weekend sees some of Super Rugby’s warm-up matches, with the Lions playing the Leopards on Friday evening 24 January, the Cheetahs playing against NMMU and again against the Kings on Saturday and of course the Sharks playing Saracens on Saturday 25 January in London. In addition there is the HSBC Sevens World Series Las Vegas tournament on the weekend, Saturday and Sunday and slightly into Monday very early morning.
The 2014 Varsity Rugby season kicked-off in grand style at De Zalze Golf Club on Monday, with the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International moving into its seventh year of existence with some exciting innovations planned for this year.
And the 2014 season promises to be another jam-packed one, with the Varsity Shield tournament getting underway on Monday 27 January and the Varsity Cup starting a week later on 3 February.
Of course, the Young Guns and Steinhoff Koshuisrugby competitions will again complete the line-up this year – starting on 10 and 17 February, respectively.
John Mitchell, head coach of Varsity Shield side, UKZN Impi, has attained the services of former Springbok flyhalf Butch James.
According to the Varsity Cup website, the 35-year-old James will be the backline and kicking coach in 2014.
Die oud-Matie Reniel Hugo is gister aangewys as UP-Tuks se FNB Varsitybeker kaptein vir 2014.
David Maidza, who coached the Eastern Province Kings’ Vodacom Cup and First Division Currie Cup teams this year, will officially join the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University rugby coaching staff from January.
Maidza has already been assisting with the training of the Varsity Cup Madibaz at NMMU since mid November, but will officially take up the position of head coach next year, replacing Brent Janse van Rensburg.
The Varsity Cup matches in 2014 will be played with two referees on the field. It’s not a new idea but the use of it is moving up a notch with the Varsity Cup.
All the fixtures have been announced for the 2014 Varsity Rugby season, with a repeat of last year’s semifinal matches getting next year’s FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International tournament underway on February 3, 2014.
Former Springbok centre Gcobani Bobo has been appointed as backline coach of the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Maties lock Reniel Hugo has decided to join the University of Pretoria where he will represent Tuks in next year’s Varsity Cup.
Hugo has decided to enroll for an honours degree in accounting at Tuks and will therefore play his rugby in Pretoria next season, which means he could come into consideration for Blue Bulls honours.