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Torrential rain in the Mile High City, Denver, on Tuesday did not dampen the Georgia national team's preparations for the fast-approaching Churchill Cup.

Three Varsity Cup players have been named in a 16-man Emerging Sevens Training squad that will attend a training camp in Stellenbosch from June 10-13.

The excitement is in South Africa and France this weekend as the Lions' tour gathers momentum and the French Championship Final is played at Stade de France.

It seems that being second on the FNB Top 20 is the most vulnerable position of all. This year Paul Roos, Affies, Paarl Boys' High and Outeniqua have all been there and dropped down. Last weekend second-placed Paul Roos were the ones to come unstuck.

The University of Johannesburg were simply too strong for Raiders in their Grand Challenge fixture on Saturday.

FNB Maties bounced back from their home loss to Hamilton's last week to claim a bonus point win against a determined SK Walmers side on Saturday.

FNB Tuks recorded a crushing 94-0 Carlton League win over a hapless Eersterust team; confirming their place at the 2009 National Club Championships, which - of course - they will be hosting in September.

JBM Hertzog se eerste rugbyspan het Vrydagaand gewys hulle is die span om in vanjaar se Steinhoff Koshuisliga te klop.

www.varsitycup.co.za caught up with FNB Pukke captain and star No.8 Willem van der Wal and asked him ten questions.

'n Nuwe inisiatief deur Steinhoff-Internasionaal om koshuisrugby nog meer glans te gee is onlangs begin.

FNB UCT very nearly caused a shock at the weekend before eventually being denied what would have been a well-deserved WP Super League win over Hamilton's in Green Point.

The huge match was the Super 14 Final at a packed Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria which broke all sorts of records. And in Italy Benetton Treviso became the champions for the 14th time.

The people of Pretoria turned their city blue and so did their players in their first-ever home Super rugby final. We give some statistics for the match.

John Dobson, head coach of FNB UCT, has announced his strongest team possible for Saturday's Western Province Super League meeting against the top of the table Hamilton's.

FNB Pukke, with captain and star No.8 Willem van der Wal back in the mix, recorded a 36-12 Grand Challenge win over Vaal Reefs at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom.

Overcoming a stuttering first-half performance, a South African XV managed an unconvincing 36-7 win over a Namibian Invitation team at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Friday. Golden Lions to 'buy' winning team | LIVE COVERAGE

Charles Durand, a great referee in his active days and a powerful refereeing boss afterwards died on Tuesday 26 May 2009 at the age of 88.

It remains a matter of conjecture what Springbok coach Peter de Villiers hopes to learn from the match in Windhoek on Friday, when a South African XV meet up with a Namibian side bolstered by five Springboks.

The Blue Bulls have chosen three teams of schoolboys for the coming weeks - Craven Week, Academy Week and the Northvaal Under-19 Academy Week.

FNB UJ will be without star centre and captain Clinton de Klerk when they travel to Longdale to take on Raiders in a Grand Challenge fixture on Saturday.

Inspirational FNB Pukke captain Willem van der Wal is back at No.8 for his team's Grand Challenge meeting with Vaal Reefs in Potchefstroom on Thursday evening.

Ikey Tigers centre Pieter Engelbrecht has been drafted into the Golden Lions squad to play against the touring British & Irish Lions next week - yet another Varsity Cup player set to take the step up to a higher level this season.

FNB Maties' Morgan Newman will start at outside centre for the South African XV against a Namibian Invitation XV in Friday's one-off clash in Windhoek.

The inclusion of Earl Rose at fullback and Morgan Newman at centre are the big bolters in the South African XV, to play a Namibian Invitation XV in Windhoek on Friday, which was named on Wednesday. All your BRITISH and IRISH LIONS news

In 1993 when Super Rugby had its start, Freek Burger was the top South African referee and he refereed the first Final in South Africa with a South African team playing - Transvaal playing against Auckland.

It's the 17th Super rugby Final this weekend and, for the second time Jonathan Kaplan is the referee.

Maroela (Groep X), Boekenhout en Sonop (Groep Y) is steeds onoorwonne na die Tuks Steinhoff Koshuisliga wedstryde wat op Mei 19 beslis is.

There are two matches likely to demand greater attention - the Super 14 Final, refereed by Jonathan Kaplan, and the opening match of the Lions' tour refereed by Marius Jonker. The two matches are not far from each other.

There are changes this week with important wins for Monument and Wynberg, which have been the main reason for some changes.

We have just had all the excitement of the two semifinals, neither a cut-and-dried affair, both exciting, both, of course, demanding matches for a referee.

It was tense and took a brilliant penalty goal in the last 10 minutes to produce a three-point victory. We give some statistics from the match.

UCT's Steinhoff Internal League resumes this week for the last round of fixtures before the students head into exams and holidays. Wednesday's games will leave all teams with their final standings for Stage One and give us an idea of just where the 2009 competition is going.

Hendrik Conradie, JBM se sport-HK, se hy glo sy koshuis se eerste span kan in 2009 op sy vyfde plek van verlede jaar verbeter.

In a dramatic match in the Steinhoff Kovsies Koshuisliga, Vishuis recorded their first win of the season when they defeated Huis Armentum 28-27 on Friday night.

varsitycup.co.za spoke to FNB UJ star Earl Lewis about the Varsity Cup, his Seven-a-side skills and life away from the game!

FNB Tuks held out for a narrow, but important 14-7 Carlton League - and Varsity Cup 'derby' - win over TUT on Saturday.

FNB UJ fullback Earl Lewis was in fine form as his team romped to a 54-34 win over Impalas in Grand Challenge action on Saturday afternoon.

The Heineken Cup Final has come and gone before a huge crowd in Edinburgh and so has the European Challenge Cup. Two intense matches have decided the finalists for the Super 14. Italy has decided finalists. The Asian Five Nations has ended and the European championship for Women. It is crunch time - fewer matches but distilled.

Varsity Cup champions, FNB Maties, suffered a last-gasp 24-25 WP Super League loss to Hamilton's in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

FNB UCT made light work of SK Walmers in their Super League clash at the Green Mile on Saturday.

The addition of five players from the Blue Bulls has taken the Namibian Invitations XV, to play a South African selection in Windhoek next Friday, a step closer to completion.

The Argentinian Rugby Union has announced two teams of Jaguars, one to play against Uruguay this weekend, the other for the Churchill Cup.

FNB UJ will be looking to bounce back from last week's Grand Challenge loss to Pirates when they take on Impala on Saturday afternoon.

Varsity Cup and WP Super League champions, FNB Maties, will go head-to-head with Hamilton's on Saturday in a top-of-the-table Super League clash in Stellenbosch.

paultreusevens.com caught up with former Varsity Cup star Kyle Brown to find out about the step up to international rugby!

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that Fiji will host the Pacific Nations Cup 2009. The awarding of the key international tournament to the Fiji Rugby Union represents a further boost to the continued development of the sport in the region.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson is wary of the challenge his team will face against a 'different' SK Walmers outfit in Western Province Super League action at the Green Mile on Saturday afternoon.

The new laws will come into effect in South Africa on 1 June 2009, in time for the start of the Currie Cup as 10 of the 13 experimental law variations become law.

FNB TUT flyhalf Werner Pieterse will lead his team into battle against Tuks this weekend in a Carlton League fixture doubling up as a Varsity Cup derby game.

Die nuweling in vanjaar se Steinhoff K1-liga, Heimat, het reeds gewys hy gaan nie net die getalle opmaak nie, maar het ook die beker in die oog. Met seges oor Armentum en Veritas mik Heimat hoog in die rugbyliga.

Maties wing Lewellyn Winkler has been selected for the Namibian Invitation XV, ahead of next Friday's game against the South African training squad.

Saracens-bound Springbok Derick Hougaard heads a list of five Springboks included in a Namibian Invitation team that will face a South African XV in Windhoek next Friday, May 29. All your Super Rugby news! | LIVE COVERAGE - S14 & HC

Three good match-ups are expected in the Steinhoff Kovsies Koshuis League this weekend - the second last round of matches for the term.

Whew! It's over. The Round Robin part is over and it seems just yesterday that it began. Some of the totals we have now are completed - team with most tries, team most penalised, team that conceded most disciplinary sanctions - amongst other things. There is even a team without disciplinary problems.

FNB Tuks are still at the top of the Carlton League standings after their crushing 99-5 win over Brits at the weekend.

The number of matches may be thinning down but some are huge - the Finals of Europe's big two and the semifinals of the Super 14. There are top referees to do these matches with Nigel Owens at Murrayfield.

Maties ace Morgan Newman has been named in a 23-man South African training squad that will face a Namibian Invitation XV in Windhoek next Friday.

We have made only one change to our starting XV in our weekly Springbok selection and there's another switch on the bench.

Another round of exciting Steinhoff UJ Koshuisugby kicks-off tonight at Milo Park when a confident Oppierif side meets Afslaan and 'Drom' face Kanniedood.

It was an awkward week this for the FNB Top 20 because so many schools did not play. There were trials here and there and then there was some wet in the Cape that meant that three of our top schools did not have a game.

The Spanish Rugby Federation today announced that the Iberian Rugby Cup had been cancelled after the withdrawal first Spanish and then of Portuguese sides.

Defending champions Maroela are still on course for yet another title in Tukkies' Steinhoff Winter Hostel League.

Beaten 62-7 a week ago, Namibia lost their second encounter against the Jaguars 19-7 in Buenos Aires on Friday night.

FNB Tuks claimed a whopping 99-5 Carlton League win over a shell-shocked Brits outfit at the weekend.

SANZAR has announced the full complement of match officials for the semifinals which will be refereed by Stuart Dickinson and Bryce Lawrence, two of the refrerees appointed to the Lions' Tests in South Africa later this year.

Recently there have been two cases in South Africa of player assault on a referee in a lower league club match leading Andre Watson, South Africa's referee boss, to call for life bans for players who physically assault a referee.

Academics will take first preference at UCT this week, with the Ikeys' Steinhoff Internal League fixtures taking a backseat to exams.

Varsity Cup Managing Director Duitser Bosman recently hosted a hunting trip for the Varsity Cup club managers - a worthwhile and enjoyable excursion for all who attended.

FNB UJ suffered a 13-19 Grand Challenge loss to Pirates on Saturday - a result which has put paid to their chances of qualifying for the 2009 National Club Championships.

There was a huge final at Twickenham and the finalisation of semifinalists in Super 14 and in France while Italy's semifinals had their first round.

We caught up with UCT captain and German international, Bodo Sieber, to talk Varsity Cup, RWC qualifiers and Intervarsity...

Star scrumhalf Donald Stevens has been recalled to the FNB Maties starting line-up for Saturday's WP Super League clash against Helderberg.

FNB TUT backed up last week's Carlton Cup win over Silver Valke, with a 29-16 win over Harlequins at the weekend.

Varsity Cup champs, FNB Maties, maintained their unbeaten record in the 2009 Western Province Super League with a 41-20 win over Helderberg on Saturday.

FNB Pukke recorded a convincing 41-16 win over Roodepoort in Pirates Grand Challenge action at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

This is it - the last round of the league matches before the play-offs. Some major decisions have been made - semifinalists and relegatees. Who plays whom in the semis and who will get to the Heineken Cup still need to be decided.

The Jaguars, and Argentinian selection, play Namibia at La Plata Rugby Club on Friday night, the second of the two-match tour.

The SA Vipers Sevens squad, despite having a strong Varsity Cup influence in their playing group, went down to 21-26 to Tunisia in the semifinals of the hotly-contested Tangiers Sevens last weekend.

Star fullback, and Sevens specialist, Earl Lewis has been named in the FNB UJ team for Saturday's Grand Challenge game against Pirates.

Saturday's Western Province Super League match between UCT and Kraaifontein - at the Green Mile - has been postponed due to the severe weather conditions expected in the Mother City.

Varsitybeker span Shimlas kan vandag reeds tot eerste posisie op die puntelys van die Stadsbeker-kompetisie skuif.

The referees for the semifinals and the Final of the Super 14 competition have been announced by SANZAR, easier to do now that referees are appointed on merit regardless of their residence.

New WP backline coach Robbie Fleck continues his build-up to the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa by selecting his Bok halfbacks...

FNB Tuks have announced their starting line-up ahead of Saturday afternoon's Carlton League game against Brits, with lock Johan de Bruin set to captain the students.

Things are getting really hot in the Super 14 now as we approach the last round of the league matches. We give some statistics.

In another exciting week of Steinhoff Koshuisrugby action at the University of Johannesburg, Bastion had to work hard to win their first division clash against Oppierif, whilst Dromedaris beat Afslaan.

There were some interesting Steinhoff Internal League clashes on the Green Mile last night, as several of the top contenders were in action - including last year's finalists.

Pukke coach Rudy Joubert has announced his starting line-up for Saturday's Pirates Grand Challenge clash against Roodepoort at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom.

The International Rugby Board had appointed South Africans to two World Cup Qualifiers and to the Women?s Under-20 Nations Cup.

The match that will be most watch this weekend is the Final of England's Premiership with Wayne Barnes to referee it.

The International Rugby Board Council unanimously approved the recommendations made by the IRB Rugby Committee at its meeting on 13 May 2009 and approved 10 of the 13 global Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for adoption into the Laws of the Game. They come into operation on 23 May 2009.

Karee kan hom vanjaar uit die staanspoor in 'n sterk posisie bevind met presies dieselfde groep spelers as verlede jaar.

Heimat recorded a somewhat unexpected win over Armentum in a Kovsie Steinhoff Koshuis league match on Friday night.

The past two weeks of Steinhoff Internal League rugby have certainly set quite a precedent with some fast paced, try-rich games being plentiful in the first two rounds of competition. This week spectators will be hoping for more of the same as some of the top sides square up against each other on the Green Mile.

This week there is an important change to our Bok team, with the arrival of the British & Irish Lions team now less than three weeks away.

FNB Shimlas were made to fight by the Crusaders but the students from Bloemfontein still managed a more-than-useful 29-13 'Stadsbeker' win at the Clive Solomon Stadium in Heidedal.

2009 Varsity Cup finalists, FNB Pukke, top the Pirates Grand Challenge log after the latest round of league action - but all the teams below them have at least one game in hand.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson has admitted to being disappointed by his team's 16-16 draw with archrivals Stellenbosch in their Intervarsity fixture at Newlands on Saturday.

FNB UJ romped to a 46-6 Grand Challenge win over Alberton at Milo Park on Saturday.

It may not be tough at the top but it's certainly tough near the top when you have to take on the top side in the FNB Top 20.

FNB Tuks confirmed their position at the top of the Carlton Cup log with a comprehensive 45-11 win over the Naka Bulle at the weekend.

Craig Joubert will blow the final whistle on the league part of the Super 14 when he takes charge of the last match - between the Sharks and the Bulls, a match of no small significance.

FNB Maties and FNB UCT played to a 16-16 draw in a thrilling Intervarsity - and WP Super League - clash at Newlands on Saturday afternoon.

In England the championship finalists have been decided, and the Super 14, Italy's Super 10 and France's Top 14 are heading for the final showdowns, but there were also teams who won competitions in South Africa, Spain, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Romania and Spain play off in Madrid to see which of the two will be crowned Under-21 Champions of Europe - neighbour battling neighbour for the title. The last round will be played at Estadio Universidad Complutense on Saturday, 9 May

FNB TUT fought back from 6-8 down at half-time to record a well-deserved 24-8 Carlton Cup win over Silver Valke on Friday evening.

The Jaguars, a new Argentinian selection, beat the touring Namibian team 62-7 at Club Atletico San Isidro in Buenos Ares on Friday night. It was the Jaguars' first match and the Namibians first match in Argentina.

Bastion Manskoshuis het Woensdagaand in die Universiteit van Johannesburg (UJ) se Steinhoff Koshuisliga gewys dat hulle hierdie jaar met niks minder as die beker tevrede gaan wees nie, toe albei hulle spanne Kanniedood gemaklik met 59-5 en 42-0 oorrompel het.

Round Two of the Steinhoff UCT Kohsuis League got underway on Wednesday night with reigning champions, the Cobras, taking on Kopano res on the Green Mile. The match was not going to be one for the underdogs though, as the Cobras dominated from the outset with some very physical rugby.

Namibia meet the Jaguars in Buenos Aires on Friday, 8 May 2009 at 21.00 at Club Atletico San Isidro.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson is backing the smooth and wide Newlands playing surface to help deliver an entertaining Intervarsity clash between his side, UCT, and Stellenbosch on Saturday afternoon.

FNB Pukke continued their fine form in the 2009 Grand Challenge with a dominant 65-10 win over Randfontein on Thursday evening.

UCT's Varsity Cup captain, loose forward JJ Gagiano, has been called up to train with the Western Province Currie Cup squad.

FNB UCT backline coach Robbie Fleck, who has coached at Varsity Cup level for the past two seasons, has been snapped up by Western Province for the 2009 Currie Cup.

Injuries have upset the balance of Robbie Fleck's Bok selection, but rugby365.com's columnist takes a look at the make-up of his Bok midfield this week...

TUT have announced their team that will do battle with Silver Valke in Carlton Cup action in Blue Bulls country this evening.

FNB UJ have announced their side for Saturday's Grand Challenge meeting with Alberton.

These long weekends do not make things easier as many schools have breaks or play at different times. Gathering scores is less easy.

The Steinhoff Koshuis League at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) kicked off with a bang last Wednesday.

Vishuis het dit die afgelope paar jaar nie altyd maklik gehad in hierdie Steinhoff Koshuis liga nie en kon verlede jaar die eerste keer in die nuwe millennium 'n beker wen toe hy die plaat met sy sege oor Karee (34-17) in die plaat-eindstryd ingeoes het.

FNB Maties and FNB UCT have both announced powerful starting line-ups for Saturday afternoon's mouth-watering Intervarsity clash at Newlands.

The SA Vipers - strengthened by the inclusion of several Varsity Cup stars - departed for Morocco on Wednesday to play in the annual Tangiers Sevens tournament.

The Super 12 going down to the wire and there are all sorts of ifs and buts, possibilities and disappointments. Here we give just some statistics for each match plus some match and team totals. You can then see the most and fewest, best and worst of each match and team.

Yes, our team is showing some dramatic changes, most notably in the front row and the back three. And the bench also has a different look.

There are tough matches this weekend for the referees - semifinals in England, crunch matches in Super 14, finals in Ireland, South Africa, Wales and Spain.

FNB Maties coach Chean Roux is looking forward to Saturday's Intervarsity clash against archrivals UCT at Newlands, a match that will see two of the Western Cape's - and the Varsity Cup's - top clubs go head-to-head.

FNB Pukke have made two injury-enforced changes to their side for Thursday's Grand Challenge meeting with Randfontein.

This week's Steinhoff Koshuis fixtures at UCT are set to produce a fantastic night of rugby. With six rugby games to be played on Wednesday evenings, fans should be treated to quite a spectacle.

Al die eerste spanne in Groep Y van Tuks se Steinhoff-Koshuisliga speel Dinsdag (Mei 5) hul eerste wedstryde nadat die deelnemers in die ander afdeling reeds almal hul staal begin wys het.

SANZAR has announced the referees appointed to the matches of Week 13 in the Super 14, the penultimate weekend with sides jockeying for top positions for semifinals, preferably at home.

Phillip Bosch of Eastern Province has been appointed to referee the Final of the Vodacom Cup at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Varsity Cup finalists, FNB Pukke, took another step closer towards qualifying for the 2009 National Club Championships after beating Vaal Reefs 22-8 in Orkney on Saturday afternoon.

When people complain about the deleterious effect of the experimental law variations point them at two matches - The Hurricanes vs the Blues, which was played under Super 14 laws, and that thrilling, agonising, compelling semifinal between Leicester Tigers and Cardiff Blues.

The Western Cape's Varsity Cup representatives, the Maties and the Ikey Tigers, both recorded big victories in Western Province Super League action on Friday.

The Super 14 is building to a climax with a tight contest for semifinal places. We give some statistics with totals from some facets of the game. You can then see the most and fewest, best and worst of each match and team.

Round 3 was the last of the pool rounds of the IRB's Junior World Trophy being played in Nairobi, Kenya. It was the round that would decide how the final round would be played.

Die Steinhoff Kovsie-rugby-koshuisliga het verlede Vrydagaand byna met 'n groot opskudding begin.

The Steinhoff UCT Koshuis League got underway on Wednesday night in typically wet and windy conditions on the Green Mile.

No.8 Nelis Nel will captain FNB Pukke against Vaal Reefs in Grand Challenge action on Saturday afternoon.

Huis Armentum's triumph in the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championship has breathed new life into the Kovsie Koshuisrugby League.

Jaco Swanepoel's FNB Shimlas side romped to a 90-3 win over Collegians in 'Stadsbeker' action in Bloemfontein on Wednesday evening, despite leading by just 24-3 at half-time.

Talented Western Province scrumhalf Conrad Hoffman has been named on the FNB Maties bench for Friday night's WP Super League clash against Kraaifontein.

rugby365.com columnist Robbie Fleck has started to assemble his Springbok squad for the upcoming Lions tour, with fullback and wing coming under discussion...

WP Vodacom Cup star Jody Burch will captain FNB UCT in their tricky Western Province Super League clash against Helderberg on Friday afternoon.

FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International champions, FNB Maties, continued on their winning ways in the WP Super League with a hard-fought 19-9 win over NNK at the weekend.

Varsity Cup semifinalists, FNB Tuks, are heading up the club league in Blue Bulls country - having won four of their first five Carlton Cup matches to date.

Yoh! We have had a big weekend behind us in which several of the country's top schools have been playing against each other. This has had a seismic effect on the FNB Top 20.

By SANZAR's rules, a citing must be done within 12 hours of the match. In exceptional circumstances a late citing is allowed. The citing of Sione Lauaki was out of time and the judicial officer found no exceptional circumstances.

The Rugby Board has announced the match officials for matches in mid year, a huge number of them, starting with Canada vs Ireland at Thuderbird Stadium in Vancouver and ending with Australia against New Zealand in the Tri-Nations.

The 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International has produced yet another Super 14 player, with UCT lock forward Martin Muller joining club mate and utility back Tiger Bax on the Stormers' bench.

The International Rugby Board has announced its new panels of referees - 17 of them at the top, a development panel, a panel of specialised assistant referees and TMOs.

It is the third last round and with many people jockeying for a semifinal berth and home-ground advantage it is a hectic time for teams. That means the pressure on the referees increases.

FNB Shimlas should have little trouble retaining their unbeaten status in this year's 'Stadsbeker' competition when they lock horns with Collegians in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night (kick-off 8.15pm).

We have named an unchanged starting XV this week, but our 'bubbling under' bench does show a few changes.

John Dobson's FNB UCT side bounced back from their shock midweek loss to Victorians, beating a strong Villagers side 26-7 in WP Super League action at the Green Mile on Saturday afternoon.

Bryce Lawrence, Christophe Berdos and Stuart Dickinson have been confirmed as the three referee's for the three test matches during the British and Irish Lions' 10-match Tour of South Africa, starting on 30 May, 2009.

The ineptness of South African administrators have succeeded, yet again, to let somebody off the hook - this time, head-hunting Chiefs and All Black loose forward Sione Lauaki.

FNB UCT will be looking to bounce back against southern suburbs foes, Villagers, when the two teams go head-to-head at the Green Mile in WP Super League action on Saturday.

In Ireland, finalists were decided, in England semifinalists. It's an exciting time.

After some time out of the game 'for personal reasons' Steve Walsh has announced that he is to quit refereeing in New Zealand. One of the best referees in the world in his time, he is now only just 36 years of age.

The University of Johannesburg upset the form book in Grand Challenge action this week, beating Varsity Cup finalists, the Pukke, 25-20 in a hard-fought match on Thursday night.

FNB UCT assistant coach Robbie Fleck believes Tiger Bax's elevation to the Stormers bench is a great moment for the Varsity Cup competition.

Because there has been a lot of talk about the penalty try that wasn't in Durban last weekend, we talk about it here.

Things are getting tense now as the top sides jockey for the top places. There are match and individual totals at the end.

For the first time in 2009, tentatively, knowing just how fallible the process is, we produce our first FNB Top 20 for 2009 in the certain knowledge that there will be changes.

FNB UCT backline star Tiger Bax has been called up to the Stormers squad and will join the side ahead of their final Super 14 match on tour - against the Highlanders in Dunedin this Friday.

There's just one change to our starting XV this week, as we also believe in consistency. But there is plenty of movement on the bench. Jan de Koning brings you this week's picks!

Things are tight amongst the Four Home Unions where Magners League and England's Premiership play their last round before the play-offs. There are semifinals in Ireland and then France and the Super 14 are building towards a watershed.

The Junior World Trophy kicked off in Nairobi on Tuesday with a disappointment for the host nation when Namibia beat them.

Freelance writer and rugby365 contributor Drew Maclean tells us why the Stormers are on a slippery slope into a mire of mediocrity.

The University of Western Cape (UWC) and Fort Hare, both of whom are pressing hard for FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International qualification, were handed a welcome cash injection this week.

Australian referees dominate Round 11 of the Super 14 in this new age of merit appointments. But the "big" matches fall to Bryce Lawrence and Craig Joubert while Jonathan, Stuart Dickinson, Mark Lawrence and Marius Jonker cool their heels.

The top two on the Varsity Cup log this year - and last year, FNB Maties and FNB UCT, both made bright starts in the Western Province's competitive Super League A with comfortable wins.

This is the time of final decisions. Cups were won at Twickenham this weekend. In Spain CRC Madrid are the champions and Getxo Artea demoted.

The Pukke have not had a lot of rest since the 2009 Varsity Cup Final. And they certainly won't get it this weekend...

FNB UCT will make a busy start to their 2009 Super League campaign with three games in the space of just one week, starting with this Saturday's clash against Durbanville/Bellville ('Durbell').

rugby365.com's Robbie Fleck looks ahead to this weekend's Super 14 action, tipping the Sharks to avenge last week's shock loss to the Cheetahs...

Agreement on the most contentious of rugby's experimental laws is close and will produce the "perfect game", says Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

The Disciplinary Commission of the Romanian Rugby Federation (FRR) has handed down tough suspensions to players involved in a brawl earlier this month between rivals Farul Constanta and Dinamo Bucharest.

FNB UJ became the third South African team to win the famous Melrose Sevens tournament in the last six years, after a fine 35-21 victory over the hosts, Melrose, in the final at the Greenyards at the weekend.

The Super 14 ploughed on through the Easter Weekend with a shock result in Bloemfontein on Easter Saturday. We again have statistics for the weekend with some totals down below which will tell you which team has scored most tries and which team has been naughtiest.

There are three finals at Twickenham this weekend and competitions getting more and more crucial in the south as well as the north.

SANZAR has named the referees for Round 10 of the Super 14, in which Stuart Dickinson and James Leckie will be involved in eager Derbies.

There are some dramatic changes to our Springbok team this week, with some players having literally played themselves out of contention.

Nine players were hurt Saturday in a violent punch-up which erupted in a match pitting Dinamo Bucharest against Romanian league rivals Farul Constanta, local media reported.

Apart from the runaway victory at Thomond Park the Heineken Cup quarters were tense affairs.

The Churchill Cup will take place in Colorado this year, marking the first time North America's premier XV-a-side tournament has been staged solely in the United States.

FNB Tuks' Freddie Grobler lives a double life... You see, aside from his Varsity Cup duties - as the Tuks head coach - the likeable 38-year-old will once again be looking after the SA Students' Seven-a-side squad.

Playing selector is fun, so much more so when your team doesn't have to play. We here at rugby365 enjoy having fun so we will play selector again.

Things are really hotting up as we pass the half-way mark for the round robin. And the clash in Durban was really a hot one.

Europe's top competitions get to the quarterfinals this week - big occasions, testing matches for players and referees.

SANZAR has announced the match officials for Week 9 of the Super 14. The principle of merit selection is not immediately obvious.

The FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International tournament has once again come and gone - but it is clear that it is going from strength to strength and will be an important part of the South African rugby calendar for many years to come.

Retired All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick has joined the growing band of critics of the Experimental Law Variations, saying it is encouraging players to "cheat".

The third last in the IRB's Sevens Series took place in Adelaide and we have cup winners in Ireland and Spain.

Ok, so rugby365.com columnist Robbie Fleck called the Crusaders-Bulls match incorrectly. But you can get his other weekend predictions and Super 14 views here, too!

FNB UCT assistant coach Robbie Fleck has praised the Varsity Cup organisers for yet another successful hosting of the tournament, whilst he also believes the event can only continue to get "bigger and better" in the future.

The 9th AER-FIRA Under-18 European Cup kicks off in Toulon on Saturday, 4 April 2009 with 32 countries taking part.

It seems just yesterday the Super 14 started and here we are half way through the round robin stage. We give statistics for the six matches and then match and team totals.

FNB Maties head coach Chean Roux was understandably elated with his team's successful defence of their Varsity Cup title, but he did not have much time to celebrate Stellenbosch's victory.

The IRB's working party that met in London on Monday and Tuesday have so far rejected everything seriously different that the experimental law variations tried.

English chiefs were in buoyant mood after leading what appeared to be a successful European challenge to the permanent implementation of the most drastic Experimental Law Variations.

The experimental law variations (ELV's) have been a topic of discussion at a two day conference in London this week and, while they have done no more than make recommendations, it does seem some of the new laws could be on their way out.

April is upon us already, described by a poet as "the cruelest, cruelest month". We hope that it will be a happy month for all referees, especially in Europe where so many competitions are coming to a head - and a sad bottom in some cases. It willk be a cruel month for some clubs.

Shimlas' Huis Armentum are the best hostel rugby team in South Africa. This came after a convincing 30-16 win over Dromedaris (UJ) in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final in Stellenbosch on Monday.

Maties are the champions. Again. This time, and for the second time, they have won the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International. Maties, the University of Stellenbosch, beat Pukke, the University of the North West, 11-6 in the final on Monday night at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

Dromedaris (UJ) have made one change ahead of tonight's Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final clash with Shimlas side, Huis Armentum.

The FNB Maties made a clean sweep in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International; with one of their players walking off with the Player of the Tournament Award, the Men in Maroon being crowned as the most exciting team of the tournament and, of course, also successfully defending their title on Monday evening.

SANZAR has released the referees appointed to Round 8 of the 2009 Super 14.

Nothing but a win will be good enough for Huis Armentum this afternoon. Of course, Armentum, from University of the Free State, will clash with Dromedaris (UJ) in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuis Championships Final (kick-off 5pm).

It's South Africa's best university rugby side against the country's best club team; it's the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final between Maties and Pukke at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

Fiji won the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens in a thrilling Final, decided when South Africa missed the last kick of the match.

FNB Shimlas assistant coach Dougie Heymans believes the Maties deserve to start the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final as firm favourites.

There is plenty at stake for both teams during Monday's 2009 Varsity Cup Final between FNB Maties and FNB Pukke in Stellenbosch, but even more to gain for those not involved in the final!

Na vier oortuigende seges in die 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Kampioenskap, le slegs een hekkie nog in die pad van Huis Armentum en beker-glorie.

The kick-off time for Monday's Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final between Huis Armentum and Dromedaris has been changed.

Lock Jaco Nepgen has been named in the FNB Maties starting line-up for Monday evening's Varsity Cup Final clash against the FNB Pukke at Stellenbosch's Danie Craven Stadium.

It's not often a UCT 'boytjie' backs a Stellenbosch team, but Ikey Tigers assistant coach Robbie Fleck has doffed his cap at the Maties ahead of Monday's 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final.

Dromedaris, the University of Johannesburg's all-conquering koshuis team, would love nothing more than winning the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships and thereby finishing the season unbeaten.

FNB Pukke head coach Rudy Joubert has named an unchanged starting XV for Monday's 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final against the Maties.

Gareth Lloyd-Jones will referee the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final between Maties and Pukke at Stellenbosch's Danie Craven Stadium on Monday, March 30.

A quick glance at the latest 'You be the Ref' poll on varsitycup.co.za shows that 52% of the readers feel that FNB Pukke will walk away with the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International title this year.

rugby365.com columnist Robbie Fleck believes the 2009 Super 14 has been the most unpredictable of all Super Rugby tournaments...

FNB Tuks head coach Freddie Grobler has little doubt that Maties will retain their FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International title.

The 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final between Huis Armentum and Dromedaris will be played at Stellenbosch's Danie Craven Stadium on Monday, March 30.

He was once a World Cup-winning Springbok renowned for his astute decision-making on the field. But it's not an ability Hennie le Roux has lost since retiring from the game, in fact, his rugby-brain is still vividly showcased by the strident views he gives as a Varsity Cup commentator on SuperSport.

Making a good, solid start in any big final is a given - but FNB Maties captain Wesley Wilkins believes it is absolutely non-negotiable when the defending champions host Pukke in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final in Stellenbosch this coming Monday.

Matt Goddard, who refereed the sad match between the Hurricanes and the Bulls last weekend, will not be refereeing this weekend. He has been stood down.

It can be argued that any rugby tournament worth its salt is characterised by the very thin line between defeat and triumph. Monday's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International semifinal between FNB Pukke and FNB Ikeys was a case in point.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson was a bitterly disappointed man after his side's 17-19 semifinal loss to a fired-up Pukke team at the Green Mile on Monday afternoon. Disappointed - and naturally so, one might add - but yet also upbeat after another thrilling season of Varsity Cup rugby from the Ikey Tigers.

The defending champion Maties will host their second successive FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final, after finishing top of the log and then beating FNB Tukkies 38-14 in Monday night's semifinal in Stellenbosch.

The Six Nations has rushed to its thrilling end. Thirty matches, 2 400 minutes and it all came down to the last kick in the last minute.

Week 6 already and some sort of statistical record in Wellington when the Hurricanes played the Bulls and a much happier statistical record in Hamilton when the Chiefs played the Blues.

Suddenly, after all the excitement of the final weekend of the Six Nations, everything looks so ordinary, but ordinary is also wholesome and there will be referees out there giving their best to do ordinary really well - and there will be the ordinary number of moans and groans.

UJ's Dromedaris nailed down a place in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final with a come-from-behind 35-16 win over the Barbarians from NMMU in Johannesburg on Monday night.

Stellenbosch head coach Chean Roux praised his team's defence after their 38-14 Varsity Cup semifinal triumph over FNB Tuks in Stellenbosch on Monday evening.

Huis Armentum (Shimlas) recorded a comprehensive 45-26 win over Maroela (Tuks) at Shimla Park on Monday night to progress to the final of the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships.

And then there were four... That is the situation that the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International finds itself in, with the defending champion Maties, UCT, Tukkies and Pukke set to fight it out for a place in next Monday's final.

FNB Tukkies have made a late change to their starting line-up for this evening's Varsity Cup semifinal clash against the defending champion Maties in Stellenbosch.

A penalty goal with four minutes to go gave the Pukke a thrilling 19-17 victory over the University of Cape Town in the first semifinal of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Defending champions Maties will meet Pukke in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, next Monday.

rugby365.com editor Jan de Koning stumbled across some interesting statistics as he researched the most successful Super Rugby runs and found that the Bulls have overtaken the Sharks in at least one department.

SANZAR has announced the match officials for Round 7 of the Super 14.

Maroela centre and captain Adriaan Bornman will be a major role-player in his team's Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships semifinal against Huis Armentum (Free State University) in Bloemfontein tonight (kick-off 7pm).

There were big winners this weekend, especially Ireland who won the Six Nations Cup, the Triple Crown and the Grand Slam - the first Grand Slam for the Irish since 1948.

Georgia and Portugal took a step closer to realising their ambitions when they beat Russia and Romania in European Nations Cup matches over the weekend.

Dromedaris (UJ) have made three changes to their starting XV for Monday's 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships semifinal against the Barbarians (NMMU) at Johannesburg's West Sports Grounds.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson has made three changes to the Ikey Tigers' starting XV for Monday's Varsity Cup semifinal clash against FNB Pukke in Cape Town.

Groot opwinding heers in Huis Armentum voor sy eerstespan Maandag tuis in 'n halfeindstryd-kragmeting teen Maroela van Tukkies te staan kom.

In the European Nations Cup, the top four teams will be in action this weekend for Georgia and Russia meet and so do Romania and Portugal.

There is no doubt that the 78-22 pasting they dished out to FNB TUT represented an excellent finish to FNB Shimlas' campaign in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. Unfortunately, it also highlighted a slightly wayward and inconsistent campaign.

It's the decisive round for the Under-20 Six Nations with three teams as possible winners - France, Ireland and Scotland, each team beaten once this year.

The four semifinalists for the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships have been confirmed and so, too, the dates and kick-off times for these thrilling fixtures which will decide the best koshuis - or residence - team in the country.

Varsity Cup MD Duitser Bosman must have felt like Bill Murray in the hit movie Groundhog Day on Monday night when Tukkies scraped into the semifinals of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International - with both of this year's semifinal fixtures a repeat of last year's exciting Last Four matches.

FNB Pukke head coach Rudy Joubert has named an unchanged starting line-up for Monday's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International semifinal clash at UCT.

The NMMU Barbarians team to play UJ in the semifinals of the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships in Johannesburg on Monday shows four changes and a few positional switches.

After a no-show in Round Five, rugby365s Robbie Fleck is back on deck this week with his Round Six predictions...

FNB Maties head coach Chean Roux does not believe his team's 23-25 loss to Tuks this past week will have any bearing on next week's Varsity Cup semifinal clash against the same opponents.

FNB Pukke coach Rudy Joubert is keeping his cards close to his chest as the Men from Potchefstroom prepare for their FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International semifinal against the FNB Ikeys next Monday afternoon.

SA Referees have announced the referees for the Varsity Cup semifinals next Monday. They are Pretoria schoolmaster Ben Crouse and Durbanite Archie Sehlako.

FNB UJ fulfilled their part of the bargain in the quest for a semifinal spot in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International by beating NMMU in Port Elizabeth on Monday evening.

Although Shimlas' 2009 Varsity Cup campaign ended on Monday, as they finished just short of reaching the semifinals, many of their players stood out right throughout the competition.

As the eight coaches of the eight universities in the Varsity Cup look back at the league stages of the 2009 tournament, we caught up with them to find out if this Rugby really does Rock!

Former Springbok centre Eben Olivier believes the FNB Maties will retain the Varsity Cup rugby title they won last year, despite the unexpected defeat suffered against Tuks on Monday night.

Winger Kruger van Heerden will remember his 50th cap for FNB Tuks for all the right reasons.

If you're good enough to reach the semifinals, you're good enough to clinch the title - irrespective of your log position. Those are the wise words of FNB Tuks coach Freddie Grobler ahead of next week's Varsity Cup semifinal clash against the defending champion Maties.

Goal met, now for the final.

Wayne Barnes has the massive one - the Six Nations decider. He has come in the place of Steve Walsh who is not refereeing at present. At Twickenham there is the oldest Test match in the world, and Marius Jonker, for the second time in his career, will referee that.

Maroela (Tuks) are through to the semifinals of the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships after beating Monitor - from TUT - 24-13 on Monday in Pretoria.

Dromedaris (UJ) beat the Pukke's koshuis side, Over de Voor, 22-15 in Potchefstroom on Monday afternoon, knocking the Men from Potch out of the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships.

Huis Armentum from the Free State University gained a home semifinal spot in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships by virtue of their fine 29-0 win over the NMMU Barbarians at the PE campus on Monday night after leading 15-0 at half-time.

England had a first half to dream off at Twickenham, Ireland stayed unbeaten at Murrayfield and Italy's made Wales work at Stadio Flaminio. We give some statistics from the matches.

In Tblissi on Saturday afternoon Georgia beat neighbours Romania 28-23 in a European Nations Cup match which doubles as qualifier for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson is not normally one to settle for a loss, but even he was adamant that it was a case of "job done" against FNB Pukke in Varsity Cup action in Potchefstroom on Monday afternoon.

rugby365 editor Jan de Koning expresses his approval and admiration for the Stormers' performance in what was the one shining light on a dismal South African weekend.

SANZAR has announced the match officials for Round 6 of the Super 14.

Baie is Maandag in Port Elizabeth op die spel wanneer Armentum (Kovsies) en Barbarians (NMMU) mekaar aandurf in die Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Kampioenskap.

The 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International heads into its final round of league action on Monday, March 16; with six teams capable of qualifying for next week's semifinals. Semifinal places aside, however, all eight teams in the Varsity Cup have something to play for; home-ground advantage, survival and - well - plain old pride!

There is an interesting stoppages statistic from a match this weekend - just 59, surely a record for a match of this kind and certainly so in the context of the many stoppages in this year's Super 14. Have a look at the totals to see for yourself.

What an enormous change in the England side. For one thing they scored five tries and early in the second half led 34-0. All is now set for the decider in Cardiff - Wales vs Ireland.

Wesley Wilkins will lead the FNB Maties into battle in their final league match of the 2009 Varsity Cup - against Tukkies at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

Huis Armentum (Shimlas) coach Willem Kruger has made two changes to his matchday 22 for the Free Staters' last encounter in the league stages of the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships.

FNB Pukke were dealt a body blow on Friday when it was revealed that experienced prop Jaco Koch would miss the rest of his team's 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International campaign.

The International Rugby Board has decreed that unattached referees would referee the three Tests between the British & Irish Lions and South Africa. That excludes referees from South Africa, England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The protagonist in M-Net's new crime drama, The Mentalist, notes that psychics don't exist, merely individuals who pay very close attention. It would seem that FNB Tuks coach Freddie Grobler falls in that same category.

Star FNB UJ flanker Frikkie Maartens has been named at No.6 for his team's must-win Varsity Cup league match against NMMU in Port Elizabeth on Monday evening.

Powerhouse FNB UCT wing Marvin Christians has been handed the No.11 shirt for Monday afternoon's mouth-watering Varsity Cup clash against FNB Pukke in Potchefstroom (kick-off 4.45pm).

The guys from Dromedaris - at the University of Johannesburg - are confident and motivated to end their 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships league campaign with a win; a result that will see them finish top of the log in the Northern section.

Varsity Cup Chairman Francois Pienaar has described this coming Monday's last round of league matches as "quarterfinals rugby", with all eight teams having something to play for - be it semifinal places or simply survival in this exciting tournament.

With one match still to play, Huis Armentum are already assured of a semifinal place in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships.

FNB Pukke coach Rudy Joubert has a special tone when he talks, a certain calmness that would inspire huge amounts of confidence.

FNB Shimlas head coach Jaco Swanepoel has swapped his hookers around ahead of Monday's crucial Varsity Cup clash against TUT at the TUT Stadium (kick-off 6.45pm).

FNB Tuks head Freddie Grobler has announced his team for Monday's all-important FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International fixture against the unbeaten Maties in Stellenbosch.

The NMMU Barbarians are riding high in the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships, following their success - thus far - in the highly-competitive 2009 series.

FNB NMMU might be down following their heavy 3-58 defeat to the mighty Maties in the FNB Varsity Cup competition earlier this week, but they are certainly by no means out.

There are two derbies this weekend in the European Nations Cup as neighbour meets neighbour.

FNB Pukke coach Rudy Joubert has named an unchanged 22 for Monday afternoon's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International clash against UCT in Potchefstroom.

Over de Voor (Pukke) coach Wilbur Kraak has made a few changes to side that beat Monitor by 34-18 this past Monday.

Judging by their current log placing, it would seem that FNB NMMU (seventh on the log, with four points) have nothing more than pride to play for in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

On Saturday Jonathan Kaplan will run out onto great Murrayfield for his 50th Test, the first referee in the history of the game to do so. Often Murrayfield fires a salute of guns. There should be salutes for Jonathan Kaplan with a firing of guns and fireworks, a blast of trumpets and a skirl of bagpipes. It is a great achievement.

Stellenbosch head coach Chean Roux is well aware of the various permutations facing some of the teams in the final round of league action in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. However, all Roux is worried about at present is how his team performs.

Ginger-haired and young, Andrew McMenemy is off to Tblissi this weekend to referee a top European Nations Cup match between Georgia and Romania.

The vultures might already be gathering, but FNB Tuks will still not be side-tracked in their determination to beat Maties - in Stellenbosch - next Monday as they look to secure a place in the 2009 Varsity Cup semifinals.

With three of the four participants in the Northern section of the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships still in the hunt for just two semifinal places, there is everything to play for in the last group matches on Monday, March 16.

"We need to learn to adjust to the referee's interpretations." Those were the words of FNB Shimlas head coach, Jaco Swanepoel, after his team's 20-23 loss to the University of Cape Town in Monday's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International fixture.

Pukke's contestants in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships, Over de Voor, are oozing with confidence - especially after their 34-18 victory over Monitor (from TUT) on Monday afternoon in Pretoria.

The European Rugby Cup has announced the referees for the quarterfinals of the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup.

The NMMU Barbarians recorded their second successive win of the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships season, beating Majuba - from Maties - 31-29 in Stellenbosch on Monday evening.

The in-form Huis Armentum - from Shimlas - kept up their awesome form in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships, beating the Steinhoff Cobras (UCT) 48-10 at Groote Schuur on Monday.

FNB UJ coach Hugo van As was a very happy man after his team beat a strong Tuks side 9-3 in the pouring rain last night. This victory, of course, has left the Men from Johannesburg in with a very decent shout of qualifying for the semifinals of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Steinhoff Majuba het net 'n wen sonder 'n bonuspunt aan die Barbarians gekort om deur te dring na die halfeindstryd van die Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Kampioenskap.

Die padjie is baie steiler na Saterdag se 15-30 nederlaag teen Dromedaris (UJ), maar Maroela se afrigter, Etienne van der Merwe, glo steeds dat sy span die uitspeelronde van die Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Kampioenskap kan haal.

Yes, a win is a win and FNB UCT have four points to show for their 80 minutes against FNB Shimlas on Monday evening, but Ikey Tigers head coach John Dobson was not a happy man on Tuesday morning.

The big occasion for a referee is Jonathan Kaplan's 50th Test at Murrayfield on Saturday. He is the first Test referee in the history of the game to reach this milestone.

The Men from the University of Johannesburg, Dromedaris, remained unbeaten in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships - after convincingly beating Maroela from Tuks 30-15 on Saturday.

Just three universities have announced late changes to their line-ups for today's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International action - Round Six in the 2009 competition.

Utility back Tiger Bax has been included in the FNB UCT starting XV for tonight's Varsity Cup clash against FNB Shimlas, after not being required by the Stormers at the weekend.

The top two teams in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International are both at home this week - in this Round Six - but everyone's attention will be elsewhere as the scrap for third and fourth place continues in the run-in to the semifinals.

rugby365 columnist Ebrahim Moerat takes a look at SANZAR's proposed expansion of the Super Rugby tournament after the southern hemisphere governing body met in Dubai last week.

Huis Armentum have been forced into making four late changes to the team they announced last week for tonight's Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championship meeting with the Steinhoff Cobras in Cape Town (kick-off 4.45pm).

There were six matches in Week 4 of the 2009 Super 14 as the Brumbies and the Lions had byes. We give some statistics of being punished, getting possession and scoring tries, with some match and team totals.

The University of Cape Town, the FNB Ikeys, beat FNB Shimlas 23-20 on the Groote Schuur fields at UCT on a windy Monday evening.

The Men from Dromedaris, at the University of Johannesburg, are relying on many of their first-year students to win Saturday's Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships match against Maroela from Tuks.

Two world champions were crowned in Dubai at the Sevens World Cup - Wales for men and Australia for women.

Last Monday, the Steinhoff UCT Cobras took to the field in Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships action against the Steinhoff Barbarians from NMMU in Port Elizabeth.

Lock Jaco Nepgen will lead the FNB Maties into battle against NMMU in Varsity Cup action this coming Monday afternoon, with regular captain and loose forward Wesley Wilkins still on the sidelines.

Steinhoff Majuba, from Stellenbosch, have announced their starting XV for Monday night's Steinhoff Koshuis Championships clash against NMMU's Barbarians.

FNB UJ will go into their crucial Varsity Cup match against FNB Tukkies this coming Monday without the services of hooker and regular captain Neil Visagie.

Chanley Williams will start at flyhalf for FNB TUT in their FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International meeting with Shimlas next Monday.

The Rugby Football Union, the governing body of English rugby, has announced that Brian Smith of England's coaching set-up has apologised for public remarks he made about Jonathan Kaplan's refereeing of England's match with Wales in Cardiff last month.

Steinhoff Majuba pak Maandagaand die Barbarians van PE, in wat sonder twyfel gesien sal word as 'n beslissende uitspeelwedstryd vir 'n plek in die semifinaal van vanjaar se Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Kampioenskap.

Star Stellenbosch flank JP Mostert will miss the rest of the 2009 Varsity Cup season after picking up serious injuries in a car accident on Tuesday evening.

FNB Tukkies coach Freddie Grobler has made a whole host of changes to his Tuks team for Monday's crucial Varsity Cup meeting with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) at the UJ Stadium.

Regular Ikey Tigers vice-captain Stuart Commins - who is back to full fitness after suffering a wrist injury against the Maties in early February - has been handed the No.9 shirt for FNB UCT's Varsity Cup clash against Shimlas on Monday, March 9.

Since the inception of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in 2008, it has become a common occurrence for loose forwards to be among the top try-scorers in a particular competition.

The stakes involved in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International have proven to be so high since its inception that there is consensus among its participants that weekly improvements in play are needed.

FNB UCT lock Michael Passaportis has escaped further censure after being shown a red card during his team's 36-17 Varsity Cup win over FNB NMMU this past Monday night.

Kovsies' finest hostel rugby team, Huis Armentum, began their challenge in the Steinhoff Koshuis Championships to become the best hostel team in the country on a sound note this past Monday.

It was the first time in his coaching career that he has been at a complete loss for words.

The Barbarians - from NMMU - remain on cloud nine following their fine 8-5 win over their more illustrious opponents, the Steinhoff Cobras (UCT), in Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships action this past Monday.

Huis Armentum coach Willem Kruger has made three changes to his matchday squad for their encounter with the Steinhoff Cobras, from the University of Cape Town, next Monday afternoon.

Johnny Schoeman, puik agtsteman van Huis Armentum, glo sy span beskik die vermoe om vanjaar die Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Kampioenskap in te palm.

Vuyolwethu 'Oscher' Mazaka is back from suspension and has been named in the FNB NMMU team to face the defending champion FNB Maties in Varsity Cup action in Stellenbosch this coming Monday.

Gerhard van den Heever se 2009 Varsitybeker is dalk verby! Want hy trek Saterdag 'n Bulls Super 14-trui oor sy kop teen die Stormers en staan groot skoene vol wanneer hy niemand anders nie as Bryan Habana se plek inneem.

FNB UJ coach Hugo van As was understandably disappointed with his team's 9-19 home loss to Pukke this past Monday - a result that has left their 2009 Varsity Cup semifinal hopes in tatters.

Round Three wasn't the best of Super 14 weekends for rugby365s Robbie Fleck. Check out his Round Four predictions...

Rugby, like so many other sports, requires self-confidence from its players in order for teams to be successful.

"It is a tough competition and we have not yet gained much success from it. However, the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International competition has proved a major injection throughout the entire NMMU ranks."

There is no doubt that FNB NWU Pukke's 19-9 win over UJ on Monday was a big moment in this year's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. But by taking some extra knowledge into account, it is not that surprising.

Exciting FNB UCT back Tiger Bax has been placed on standby for the Stormers ahead of their Super 14 clash against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday (kick-off 5pm).

Five points on the road in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International represents more than just a good day out. In fact, for FNB Maties coach Chean Roux it was just what the doctor ordered after a tough week in Stellenbosch.

Former Springbok captain, Dr Hannes Marais, believes the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International has brought a new lease of life to varsity rugby in South Africa.

FNB Shimlas coach Jaco Swanepoel has made just two changes to his starting XV for next Monday's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International clash against FNB UCT in Cape Town.

Russia had a good win over Romania in Bucharest on Saturday and are well placed to be one of the two sides going directly to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, which would be a first for Russia.

The Steinhoff Cobras - who hail from UCT - have promised to "fight back strongly", after suffering their second successive loss in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships this past Monday.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson, whilst pleased with his team's 36-17 Varsity Cup win over NMMU on Monday night, was even more thrilled in which the whole occasion in Port Elizabeth honoured the late Monte Taljaard - the man whose name is on the trophy that Ikey Tigers captain JJ Gagiano held aloft at the Xerox NMMU Stadium.

Andre Vos - who is serving as the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's technical advisor - was understandably disappointed with his team's 36-17 Varsity Cup loss to FNB UCT on Monday, but the former Springbok captain had nothing but praise for the 80 minutes of rugby on offer.

No Tests. What an odd weekend! But there is still lots of top rugby which needs top referees.

Round 3 of the Six Nations produced its share of hectic activity, not without controversy as England seek to set records for the number of yellow cards they can garner. We give some statistics from the matches of the third round of the 2009 Six Nations - France vs Wales in Paris, Scotland vs Italy in Edinburgh and Ireland vs England in Dublin.

Even though the defending champion Maties came to Pretoria with almost an entire new team, they still managed to beat FNB TUT 24-14 at the TUT Stadium on Monday night.

Maroela (Tuks) captain Adriaan Bornman led from the front in a 26-10 win against Over de Voor (Pukke) in Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships action at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

A combination of provincial call-ups and tactical changes have resulted in 10 changes to the FNB Maties team for their Varsity Cup encounter with FNB TUT in Pretoria on Monday.

Well, well, what a surprise in the Varsity Cup! Shimlas, with only one win so far, thrashed Tukkies, with only one defeat so far, and they did so at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein 39-22 on a hot Monday afternoon.

UCT's Steinhoff Cobras are ready to open their account in the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships, that after the Ikeys' representatives went down 28-43 to Majuba last Monday.

The Barbarians - who hail from NMMU - made a successful start to their Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships campaign when they registered a narrow, but deserved, 8-5 win over UCT's Steinhoff Cobras on Monday night.

Huis Armentum sent out a clear message to the other hostel teams in the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships, as they thumped Steinhoff Majuba 61-19 at Shimla Park on Monday.

Tonight will see the playing of the first-ever Monte Taljaard Tropy match between NMMU and UCT - in the fifth round of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International - a fixture that will honour UCT flanker Monte Taljaard, who passed away in September 2008.

The University of Johannesburg's Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships team, Dromedaris, started their 2009 campaign on a high with a 35-25 win over Monitor (TUT) at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday afternoon.

rugby365 editor Jan de Koning takes a look behind the scenes of the decision to replace Eddie Jones, an Australian, with Brendan Venter, a South African, as the Saracens Director of Rugby. He highlights a few interesting facts about the deal.

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and NWU-Pukke will go head-to-head tonight in a match that could go a long way towards deciding fourth place in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

The various team line-ups for today's (Monday, March 2) FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International fixtures have been confirmed, with a few last-minute changes occuring.

The third week of Super 14 had surprises all right. We have given some statistics which inlcude totals. It may be of interest that the most penalsied team is also the team which has scored fewest tries.

FNB NMMU, winners for the first time ever in the Varsity Cup last week, have kept the changes to a minimum for Monday's big game against FNB UCT (kick-off 6.45pm).

Stellenbosch University have not named their starting line-up for Monday's Varsity Cup clash against FNB TUT at the TUT Stadium.

FNB UCT backline star Tiger Bax is down to start at flyhalf for the Ikeys in Monday's Varsity Cup fixture against the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) if he passes a late fitness test Saturday afternoon. If Bax is not fit, he will be replaced by Sean van Tonder.

Strong-running outside centre Tjaart Kleu has been recalled to the FNB TUT side for this Monday's home Varsity Cup clash against the table-topping FNB Maties.

FNB NMMU fullback Vuyolwethu Mazaka has been suspended for one week, after he picked up a red card for a dangerous tackle during his team's 28-18 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International win over TUT on Monday.

There are two more Six Nations B matches this weekend, all of them so important in determining who will go to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Andre Smit will once again wear the No.10 shirt for FNB UJ in their crucial Varsity Cup meeting with FNB Pukke at the UJ Stadium on Monday evening (kick-off 6.45pm).

Log points will obviously be the main priority for FNB UCT when they travel to Port Elizabeth to face up to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Varsity Cup action this coming Monday, but the Men from Cape Town will also be playing for something - or rather somebody - else.

FNB NMMU coach Kolie Brandt remains as realistic as ever but the truth remains that his charges made Varsity Cup history against FNB TUT on Monday. Their 28-18 victory was their first ever in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Andre Watson, South Africa's refereeing boss and an outstanding referee in his day, has again been honoured, this time by being inducted into South Africa's Sport Hall of Fame.

rugby365s Robbie Fleck looks ahead to Round Three in the 2009 Super 14 - a tough weekend for the Sharks, who are now overseas.

When North Walian Gwyn Morris flies from Heathrow airport on Friday, he will be on his exciting way to his very first Test and it is a big one.

FNB Shimlas have made just one change to their starting line-up for next Monday's Varsity Cup clash against FNB Tuks, despite suffering a heavy loss to FNB UJ this past week.

It's been quite a big fortnight for FNB UCT flyhalf Matt Rosslee. In between picking up successive Man of the Match awards in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, the gutsy No.10 also celebrated his birthday.

Armentum will go into their opening match of the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships - on Monday - with plenty of confidence.

Maroela (Tuks) have named their side to play Over de Voor (NWU Pukke) in the first round of the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships.

Freddie Grobler, the coach of FNB Tukkies, has made five changes to his team for their crucial Varsity Cup Round Five match against FNB Shimlas in Bloemfontein on Monday.

FNB NWU-Pukke coach Rudy Joubert has made several changes to his squad ahead of their crucial Varsity Cup Round Five match against the FNB University of Johannesburg on Monday.

Like any quality side, FNB Tuks will resist the temptation to blame someone else for their failure to beat FNB UCT at the LC de Villiers Stadium this past Monday.

Maroela, Tuks se verteenwoordiger in die Varsitybeker-koshuisliga, begin Saterdag met hul aanslag op die kampioenskapskroon wat hulle verlede jaar net-net misgeloop.

What a difference a half of rugby makes. After Week Three of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, FNB UJ were languishing in the lower half of the log with a paltry four points from their first three games.

The FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International is putting its teeth deeper into university rugby in South Africa once again - this after the national launch of the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships took place on Monday, February 23 at Stellenbosch University.

Last week, varsitycup.co.za noted that individual excellence (read TUT No.8 Wikus Botes) could vividly rear its head in a team that is not performing well. Conversely, when a team is riding on a crest of a wave, individual excellence can be shifted to the background - particularly in a superstar-team such as FNB Maties.

The referees have been appointed to the last round robin matches - rounds five through to seven - of this year's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Portugal beat Germany 44-6 in sunny Lisbon, a most impressive performance by the Lobos who ran in five tries. There was a good crowd all around the field with its excellent surface in a well-presented match.

It wasn't pretty and it certainly wasn't perfect, but FNB UCT head coach John Dobson was a relieved man after his side's drama-filled 24-22 win over FNB Tukkies in FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International action on Monday night.

Former Springbok star and current FNB UCT assistant coach, Robbie Fleck does not support the permanent introduction of the 'white card' to the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Stellenbosch might be on top of the log after four pulsating rounds of action in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, but the job is by no means done according to FNB Maties head coach Chean Roux.

In the fourth round of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International the University of Johannesburg rampaged through the Shimlas of Bloemfontein in the second half, scoring 26 unanswered points to win 44-8, scoring six tries to one.

Internationals are in full swing again this weekend and two South Africans have wonderful appointments - Mark Lawrence in Paris and Craig Joubert in Dublin. And there is a big clash in Bucharest.

FNB NMMU moved off the bottom of the Varsity Cup log when they produced an impressive performance in beating FNB TUT 28-18 at the Xerox NMMU Stadium, South Campus, on Monday.

rugby365.com's Jan de Koning takes a look at what can be expected from the Super 14 and uses the first two weeks of the competition as a pointer. He admits that he has had to make some adjustments to his pre-season predictions.

Flyhalf Matthew Rosslee made amends for a vital miss in Round One, when he landed a late penalty to secure a 24-22 win for FNB Ikeys over FNB Tukkies in a crucial Varsity Cup Round Four match in Pretoria on Monday.

The University of Stellenbosch (FNB Maties) retained their unbeaten record with an emphatic 31-10 win over their Potchefstroom rivals (FNB Pukke) in their Varsity Cup Round Four match at the Danie Craven Stadium on Monday.

Week 2 was not as sparkling as week one but there were some close encounters with a great fightbacks in Canberra and Cape Town. We give statistics for each match and each team. This includes some totals which are already becoming interesting.

Week Four of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International is shaping up as the most exciting round of fixtures, with the FNB Tukkies-FNB UCT clash set to produce some entertaining rugby with top four places up for grabs.

Kolie Brandt, coach of the FNB Nelson Mandela Metropole University, has shuffled his entire backline for their Varsity Cup Round Four encounter with FNB Tshwane University of Technology in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

One round down, 'just' 13 more to go... Read Robbie Fleck's exclusive and hard-hitting views on the 2009 Super 14...

FNB NWU-Pukke coach Rudy Joubert has made four changes to his starting XV and nine to his matchday 22 for their Varsity Cup Round Four encounter with the unbeaten FNB Maties in Stellenbosch on Monday.

The University of Pretoria (FNB Tukkies) have been boosted by the return of teenage flyhalf Juan-Claude Roos for their Varsity Cup Round Four encounter with FNB UCT at the LC de Villiers Stadium on Monday.

Buoyed by their fine performance in Tblissi last weekend, the Portuguese must go with great confidence into their European Nations Cup ('Six Nations B') match with Germany at Estadio Universitario de Lisboa, Lisbon.

This is perhaps the hardest job a referee has, but we have some advice from Balie Swart, a World Cup winner in 1995 as a player and in 2007 as a coach of the forwards, in his playing days a prop.

Within the context of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, FNB Tuks fullback Johan Jackson arguably falls into the 'veterans' category. The 22-year-old from Rustenburg has a CV studded with achievements that most pundits would rubber-stamp as "impressive".

FNB Pukke prop forward Jaco Koch, a senior member of the Rudy Joubert-coached side, believes his side nearly paid the price for not concentrating hard enough in their Varsity Cup clash against FNB NMMU on Monday evening.

One of rugby's virtues is its dual emphasis on teamwork and individual excellence. In some instances they are complimentary, in others they are mutually exclusive. FNB TUT's Wikus Botes, is the perfect example of the latter notion.

The FNB Shimlas' iffy start to their 2009 FNB Varsity Cup campaign presented by Steinhoff International bears an uncanny resemblance to the Free State Cheetahs team of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

After the excitement of the opening matches of the 2009 Super 14, we give some of the match statistics, as we hope to do each week, in some cases developing totals.

There is a chance for the Six Nations sides to catch their breath but not for the Super 14 teams who probably all still have ambitions of reaching the semifinals. In the Super 14 the principle of merit appointment, regardless of nationality or domicile, continues.

We give some statistics from the matches of the second round of the 2009 Six Nations - France vs Scotland in Paris, Wales vs England in Cardiff and Italy vs Ireland in Rome.

FNB TUT have filled in the 'blanks' ahead of tonight's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International match against the University of Pretoria (FNB Tuks).

Flying All Black wing Joe Rokocoko put an indifferent couple of international performances behind him, to bag two tries as Auckland recorded their first win of the season. rugby365 brings you all the ANZ Cup Round Three drama.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson was full of praise for his side after their 32-12 Varsity Cup win over the University of Johannesburg - with the Ikeys boss pointing to the trying conditions at Groote Schuur on Monday afternoon as the main reason for his happiness.

Played three, won three, no bonus points. That is the current scenario that defending Varsity Cup champions, Stellenbosch University, face. But head coach Chean Roux could not be happier, especially after his team's second away win of the season, this time over Free Staters, FNB Shimlas.

The FNB Maties kept their unbeaten record in this year's Varsity Cup when they defeated FNB Shimlas 26-5 in their clash at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Monday.

Puk inside centre Wouter Watermeyer scored a hat-trick of tries as the home side bamboozled the FNB Nelson Mandela Metropole University on their way to a 41-13 Varsity Cup victory at the Fanie du Toit on Monday.

All eight team line-ups for today's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International action have been confirmed, with a few last-minute changes occuring in four of the eight sides.

FNB Tuks stayed top of the Varsity Cup standings when they smashed a hapless FNB TUT 45-9 at the TUT Stadium in Pretoria on Monday.

The 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International moves into Round Three on Monday, with yet another appetising set of fixtures in wait as log-leaders FNB Tuks travel away once again, this time to FNB TUT in a bid to keep up their early-season momentum.

Call-ups to the national Under-20 team have forced the FNB Shimlas to make changes to their team for their Varsity Cup Round Three encounter with FNB Maties at Shimla Park on Monday.

What a weekend - Six Nations, Super 14, Sevens in California - and other matches to keep us out of mischief.

The University of Johannesburg will travel to Cape Town to face FNB UCT in their Varsity Cup fixture without skipper and No.7 flank Hennie Killian.

Andre Watson, as the manager of South Africa's professional referees, has a big role to play in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. We caught up with him to find out his thoughts on the tournament.

FNB Maties captain Wesley Wilkins will start in the No.8 jersey when the defending champions travel to Bloemfontein to take on FNB Shimlas in Varsity Cup action at Shimla Park on Monday evening.

FNB Tukkies are the surprise frontrunners of the Varsity Cup thus far, but coach Freddie Grobler remains cautiously optimistic about his team's fortunes.

Discipline will be key for the FNB Nelson Mandela Metropole University as they seek their first win in the Varsity Cup when they face FNB Pukke at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds on Monday.

FNB Tuks have beefed up their pack for what should be a physical onslaught from FNB TUT when they meet in Varsity Cup action at the TUT Stadium on Monday.

It's a tired, but proud Robbie Fleck writing for rugby365 this week; talking Cape Town Tens, Varsity Cup and Super 14!

FNB UCT coach John Dobson is not shouting from the roof-tops yet, but he admitted to being "pleased" with his team's 39-21 Varsity Cup win over the Tshwane University of Technology on Monday evening.

Recent referees' courses in South Africa discussed the refereeing of the line-out where principle of fair contest applied, as in all rugby's contests for possession.

The Varsity Cup has already produced some startling talent since the tournament's inception in 2008. It is arguable perhaps that one of the most promising stars on show in 2009 so far has been the Ikey Tigers' main prowler, the aptly named Tiger Bax.

With all the hype surrounding the arrival of the British & Irish Lions, rugby365 columnist Ebrahim Moerat believes it's time to re-introduce a lost tradition...International Rugby Tours.

The Namibian Invitation team due to face a South African XV in Windhoek next Friday is struggling to confirm players for the fixture, after the Sharks, Cheetahs and Western Province refused to release invited players.

With the Super 14 entering its final fortnight, rugby365 columnist, Ebrahim Moerat, takes a look at which of the SANZAR nations stand to benefit most from Super 14 success.

Following formal representations from European Challenge Cup finalists Bourgoin and the French club's body, the LNR, ERC has agreed to move the Challenge Cup final from Gloucester's Kingsholm to the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, 22 May.

rugby365.com columnist Robbie Fleck tries to get inside the head of British & Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan... and he also makes his Super 14 picks for the upcoming weekend's action.

With the IPL set to hit South African shores, rugby365 columnist Ebrahim Moerat thinks rugby needs similar spice to rev up the game.

New Zealand Rugby Union boss, Steve Tew has rubbished claims that the SANZAR nations have campaigned for the Experimental Law Variations'(ELVs) introduction, to negate traditional forward strength.

Rugby's Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) look set to be scrapped.

There has been a South African team at the top of the Super 14 standings since Week One - the first six weeks the Bulls sat in first place and at the weekend the Sharks moved to the No.1 spot.

FNB Tuks coach Freddie Grobler has named a new-look centre pairing for Monday's Varsity Cup semifinal clash against the FNB Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

FNB Maties coach Chean Roux has opted for a front row-loaded bench for his side's Varsity Cup semifinal against Tuks at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Monday.

FNB Pukke beat the Ikeys 17-13 in their Round Seven Varsity Cup clash in Potchefstroom on Monday - but it was not enough to get them a home semifinal, which is what they wanted.

The University of Johannesburg (FNB UJ) recorded an impressive 36-10 win over FNB NMMU in Port Elizabeth on Monday, but it was not enough for them to win a place in the 2009 Varsity Cup semifinals.

FNB Tuks booked their place in the Varsity Cup semifinals after handing FNB Maties their first loss of the season with a 25-23 victory at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Monday.

The University of the Free State (FNB Shimlas) annihilated the Tshwane University of Technology (FNB TUT) 78-22 in a one-sided Varsity Cup game at the TUT Stadium on Monday night, scoring 12 tries in the process.

Flank Wikus Botes has been named as captain for the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) Round Seven FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International clash against Shimlas on Monday.

Pukke kept their chances alive for a place in the semifinals of this year's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International with a 56-14 win over the TUT in Pretoria-West on Monday.

FNB Maties continued their unbeaten run in this year's Varsity Cup after they thrashed NMMU 58-3 in Stellenbosch on Monday afternoon.

In a FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International match of varying fortunes, and many handling errors due to incessant rain, UJ kept alive their chances of a Varsity Cup semifinal spot when they beat visitors Tukkies 9-3.

FNB Pukke coach Rudy Joubert has made one change ahead of Monday's Varsity Cup match against the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).

FNB UJ will be under pressure to qualify for the semifinals of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, after going down 9-19 to FNB Pukke on Monday evening.

The University of Cape Town (FNB Ikeys) secured a 36-17 bonus point win over the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (FNB NMMU) to claim the Monte Taljaard Trophy in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

England's selection headaches are giving me a headache; and not only the conundrum that is the No. 10 jersey.

It?s the eternal debate, the great hemispheric schism, the hardest to decide and the least relevant argument in rugby.

FNB Pukke boss Rudy Joubert believes his team could have avoided their tough road of trying to make it into the Varsity Cup play-offs this season.

The Lions beat Western Province at a partially filled Newlands at the weekend, with a penalty four minutes from time. rugby365 gives some match stats.

University of Johannesburg (FNB UJ) head coach Hugo van As has made two changes to his starting line-up for Monday?s Varsity Cup clash with FNB Shimlas at the UJ Stadium.

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson has made some changes to his side for Monday's mouth-watering Varisty Cup clash against Tukkies at the LC de Villiers Stadium in Pretoria.

The undefeated FNB Maties have made just three changes to their team for this Monday's Varsity Cup clash with FNB Pukke in Stellenbosch.

FNB TUT captain and lock Wouter Moore has been named in the starting line-up to face FNB NMMU for Monday's Varsity Cup clash in Port Elizabeth.

Shimlas coach Jaco Swanepoel has re-shuffled his squad significantly for next Monday's Varsity Cup clash against the University of Johannesburg (UJ), after suffering a consecutive home defeat at Shimla Park this week.

rugby365's Ebrahim Moerat takes a look at the rookies who are poised to make an impact in this year?s Super 14.

Two tries from FNB UCT wing Dane Johnson helped the Ikeys to an impressive 32-12 Varsity Cup win over FNB UJ in Cape Town on Monday afternoon.

FNB TUT coach Jimmy Watt has been forced to name a provisional squad for their Varsity Cup clash against the University of Pretoria (FNB Tuks) on Monday.

FNB UCT coach John Dobson has made just one change to his side for their Varsity Cup clash against the University of Johannesburg at Groote Schuur on Monday.

FNB Pukke coach Rudy Joubert has made a number of tactical changes to his side that will face FNB NMMU in Potchefstroom in Varsity Cup action on Monday.