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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!

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.

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...

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Goal met, now for the final.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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 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.

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

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, 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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

rugby365's oracle, Paul Dobson, tells us why it is worth watching winners and when it is worth paying good money for a good game!

The Six Nations is under way. It started in unpromising fashion at Twickenham and then burst into life in Dublin and Edinburgh was lively as well. Perhaps if you gulp flat beer to start with, champagne is all the nicer!

The North West University (Pukke) opened their account in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, when they beat Free State University (Shimlas) 27-15 at Shimla Park, Bloemfontein, on Monday.

The European Nations Cup runs over two seasons and is still in the embryo stage but already there seems to be a serious divide between the three Eastern powers and their Western opponents.

The International rugby Board has announced that there will be two changes to the appointments of referees to Six Nations matches.

Jan de Koning has decided to play selector and help Ian McGeechan out by selecting his Lions team for him, based on the first round of Six Nations action. Silly man, we know.

The University of Cape Town (Ikeys) secured their first win of the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, when they trumped a haphazard Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria by 39-21 on Monday evening.

The University of Stellenbosch, with impressive centre Jean Stemmet in sublime form, retained their unbeaten record in the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, when they beat the University of Johannesburg 29-14 at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, on Monday.

The University of Pretoria (Tukkies) raced to the top of the standings in the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, when they defeated a spirited Nelson Mandela Metropole University 39-20 at Xerox NMMU Stadium South Campus on Monday.

The weather permitted some rugby in Europe but not all as even when the weak sun shone pitches remained frozen.

The ghost of Matt Proudfoot will be haunting Rudy Joubert when the Puk Rugby Institute face the Shimlas in a FNB Varsity Cup present by Steinhoff International fixture in Bloemfontein on Monday night.

Super 14 breaks out this weekend. With Six Nations, the weekend will be a busy one for players, spectators and, of course, referees.

The Six Nations is under way. It started in unpromising fashion at Twickenham and then burst into life in Dublin and Edinburgh was fill of life as well. Perhaps is you gulp flat beer to start with champagne is all the nicer!

North West University (Pukke) coach Rudy Joubert has named an unchanged team for his Round Two encounter with the University of the Free State in the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, on Monday.

University of Cape Town coach John Dobson has "tweaked" his team for their Round Two showdown with the Tswane University of Technology in the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, in Pretoria on Monday.

It may be early days yet, and with another six rounds after this there is time to catch up, but Round Two will be the first indication of who the front runners will be in the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International.

The inclusion of powerful Lions centre Walter Venter comes as a major boost to the University of Johannesburg team for their Round Two encounter with Stellenbosch in the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, on Monday.

It is a tradition in South Africa's judicial capital that all its rugby teams play open, running rugby. Shimlas are no exception and proved it in their 37-11 Varsity Cup win against NMMU this past Monday. Yet, to execute an expansive approach a team needs its general, and flyhalf Lionel Cronje seems just like the man for the job.

It's more Varsity Cup talk for rugby365.com's Robbie Fleck this week, after UCT's loss to Maties, whilst he's also been busy preparing for the Cape Town Tens.

There is a clip - Number 3 on the South African referees' site - www.sareferees.co.za, that is well worth talking about. And there are some other matters.

Tukkies have lost the right to host two of their home matches in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International because their floodlights are not up to the required standard for live broadcasting.

University of Stellenbosch centre Dabeon Draghoender, as been suspended for three weeks after his spear tackle on an a University of Cape Town rival in the first round of the Varsity Cup in Cape Town on Monday.

The University of Pretoria, Tukkies, have made four changes for their match against Nelson Mandela Metropole University in Port Elizabeth on Monday - in Round Two of the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International.

The fire that caused a lot of damage - and the postponement of an international hockey fixture - at Stellenbosch on Wednesday night did not damage the Danie Craven Stadium.

There isn't much that Pukke coach Rudy Joubert hasn't experienced in his coaching career.

The performance of 18-year-old Jean-Claude Roos in the University of Pretoria's nailbiting 29-27 win over their rivals from North West University epitomises what Day One of the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, was all about.

The European Nations Cup - popularly refereed to as the Six Nations B - gets going again this weekend. It is a competition of ecstasy and agony.

Top French referee Joel Jutge has been having a terrible time with his knee. He has been unable to referee since November 2007.

Six Nations starts. There are the big matches and other matches as the weekend becomes fascinating and the European Nations Cup (Six Nations B) is also in action. Weather permitting, of course.

Stellenbosch University beat Cape Town University 12-10 at UCT's Groote Schuur ground on Monday evening. It was a match which they Ikeys could and probably should have won.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) have filed a report against Shimlas' Drew van Coller for an alleged infringement in last night's Varsity Cup match at Groote Schuur.

Six Nations starts. There are the big matches and other matches as the weekend becomes fascinating and the European Nations Cup (Six Nations B) is also in action. Weather permitting, of course.

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) scraped to an undeserved 16-9 victory over Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in the opening round of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff on Monday.

With the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International upon us, do you predict a major fightback such as the one in the opening game last season when Tukkies and Maties played to a draw? Do you back the Ikeys for another giant-killing season, as they did in 2008, or do you favour the traditional powerhouses in Varsity rugby?

The University of Pretoria started their campaign in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International on a winning note, when they beat their rivals from the North West University by 29-27 in a nailbiter at Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom on Monday.

For many it was a tense final round of the pool matches of the Heineken Cup as decisions were made about the make-up of the quarterfinals - often terrible weather.

rugby365 columnist Robbie Fleck is back - read what he has to say about the Varsity Cup and the Cape Town Tens.

There was a great occasion at a packed Stade de France when Stade Francais played Perpignan, a surprise for log-leaders Toulouse in Biarritz and a great comeback for Gloucester to climb over London Irish to the top of the English Premiership.

At the courses for the National Panel of South African referees and for the Provincial panel with the top women referees, the three main topics of discussion were the breakdown, the line-out and the scrum.

Youngster Jean Claude Roos will start at flyhalf for the University of Pretoria in their Varsity Cup opener against Pukke in Potchefstroom on Monday.

Shimlas - the first team of the University of the Free State - will be competitive in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. They always have a good side.

World Cup-winning Springbok captain Francois Pienaar has given the ambitious University of Fort Hare team a glimpse of what it takes to be a winner and encouraged them to chase the dream of playing in the Varsity Cup.

Hooker Neil Visagie will captain the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in their 2009 Varsity Cup opener against TUT at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds (kick-off 4.45pm).

Exciting fullback Tiger Bax has been named in the University of Cape Town (UCT) starting line-up for Monday's Varsity Cup opener against Stellenbosch at Groote Schuur.

The Northwest University, Pukke, have named 10 players from last year's successful Under-21 team to face their Pretoria rivals, Tukkies, in the opening round of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom on Monday.

Kolie Brandt, the experienced coach of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, is hoping for a smoother ride than last year in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Now that all the pre-tournament hype has settle down, it is time for the second edition of South African rugby's latest competition, the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, to begin.

The University of Fort Hare and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) were both handed a pleasant pre-season boost with the news that they will be playing in a televised curtain-raiser to the Varsity Cup double header at UCT's Groote Schuur fields on Monday, February 2.

SARU has announced the referees for the first four rounds of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. The rest of the refereeing appointments will be announced as the tournament progresses.

It took a nail-biting 33-28 victory over Fort Hare University for the Men from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) to realise just how close they were to losing out on participation in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

The big occasion is 2 vs 3, Stade Francais vs Perpignan, at Stade de France before a full stadium. It will be brilliant, the best fun in France this weekend.

In their warm-up match before the start of the European Nations Cup Division 1 gets under way Portugal play England's Saxons at Edgeley Park in Manchester.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) are gearing up for a titanic Varsity Cup opener against arch-rivals Stellenbosch on Monday, February 2 (kick-off 4.45pm), with head coach John Dobson declaring a 'clean slate' for his Ikey Tigers in 2009.

For many it was a tense final round of the pool matches of the Heineken Cup as decisions were made about the make-up of the quarterfinals - often terrible weather.

Europe can catch its breath after the hectic round of pool matches in its top competitions, but not entirely as domestic competitions rumble on, often with great anxiety.

This business of awarding the scrum to the catcher from a kick is a relatively rare occurrence but here week after week we are discussing it. Perhaps it is not so rare. Perhaps it is less rare with all the kicking going on, blamed, it seems, on the ELVs.

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that the issue of uncontested scrums is already on its agenda for discussion.

SANZAR has announced the referees to the first four rounds of Super 14 and for the first time it will apply its recent decision that referees be appointed on merit regardless of country of residence.

There were a host of big names in attendance at Monday's launch of the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International - headed up by none other than Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.

It's the last round for Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup. Some quarterfinalists have already been decided. Some will be decided this dramatic weekend.

rugby365 brings you an interesting set of Super Rugby rankings, courtesy of our statistics partner Pick & Go, going back to 1996.

European giants Stade Francais crashed out of the Heineken Cup on Sunda, with a 17-31 Pool Four defeat at the hands of Nigel Davies' Scarlets in Wales. VISIT OUR DEDICATED HEINEKEN CUP SECTION

The 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International was officially launched at the SuperSport studios in Randburg on Monday afternoon, with guest speaker Francois Pienaar pledging an even more successful event after the outstanding success of the 2008 tournament.

He's coached South Africa to World Cup glory at Under-21 and senior level, so when Jake White speaks you listen. And when he says the Varsity Cup has a place in South African rugby, you listen even more carefully.

"Fair contest" is a regular cry in rugby football in these days of increased predictability.

After a long and great refereeing career, Didier Mene is about to end his career as an active referee and to take up an important position in refereeing.

It was cold in Europe last weekend but some matches got through and there is a point of law or two to make.

Europe's referees cross all sorts of borders for the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup and at the same time the aestivating giants of the south start flexing their muscles in warm-up matches.

rugby365's Jan de Koning takes a pre-season look at the Super 14, with a month to go to the start of the tournament and the first warm-up game less than a week away. He suggests that the playing field is 'level' for all the teams.

It seems there is a catch when the ball is caught that causes lots of confusion. It happened again last Friday when Bayonne played Castres in Bayonne.

Professor Tinkie Heyns, the most devoted of men, died suddenly on Tuesday, January 6, after suffering massive strokes - first on Christmas Day, then on Boxing Day. He was 84.

European clubs and regions continue to get stuck in as the decisive ending to the season gets nearer. Some battle for prizes, others to survive.

It's 2009 already and all the hopes that go with it. Let's hope that the New Year brings all referees around the world, regardless of their grading, only happy appointments and no disappointments.

Christmas time or not, peace or not, Harlequins against Leicester Tigers at Twickenham was still a tense contest. We have some law bits to talk about from that match and from the match at Vicarage Road between the Saracens and London Irish.

The match between Bath and Sale Sharks was tense and in the end thrilling. The match did not always remain within the boundaries which the game and its spirit find acceptable.

The European rugby Cup has announced the referees for Rounds 5 & 6 of the European Cup. It is noteworthy that Joel Jutge is making a comeback to refereeing after a long layoff.

Saturday saw a frustrating game for the die-hard Western Province fan in their loss to the Blue Bulls, writes rugby365 columnist Jon Harris.

It would not be pleasnt to trundle around the rugby field with plum pudding, turkey and wine sloshing around inside the reluctant body, and so we list below the referees who are likely to be circumspect in their festivities, but we also hope that for them and all other referees Christmas will be a happy and blessed time.

There is nothing new about losing teams' expressing unhappiness with referees. The French have been having a go of late - first about English referees, now about their own.

The holiday season is upon us and everything focuses on having a good time and completely over indulging. Christmas lunch is a biggie!

The International Rugby Board has announced the panel of eight up-and-coming match officials for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2009 in Kenya.

The IRB, has made known the referees for the two Sevens World Cups in Dubai on 5-7 March 2009.

French clubs in the Heineken Cup have complained of the severity of English referees and there is even a perception of bias. The website Le Site spoke to top French referee, Christophe Berdos, about this.

Again it was a Heineken Cup weekend with much to enthrall and entertain. How about that thriller at The Stoop when Harlequins scored the winning try after some 30 phases nearly 85 minutes in the match!

The Lions, who at one stage did not want South Africans to referee non-Test matches during their tour of South Africa in 2009, are now asking for merit-appointed referees which could include referees from South Africa and the Four Home Unions.

With the Southern Hemisphere's silly season in full swing, Jan de Koning thinks this is a good time to take a look at the role that controversial loose forward Luke Watson will play in the Stormers team next year.

Not for the first time top referee Steve Walsh of New Zealand could be in hot water - and not for any refereeing decision.

As Christmas arrives with its obligations and celebrations, the international matches shrink but still there are countries determined to send their men to Christmas dinner with aches and pains.

The three SANZAR countries - South Africa, New Zealand and Australia - have made known their merit panel of referee for the 2009 Super 14.

The International Rugby Board has announced the match official appointments for the Six Nations 2009, which kicks off on Saturday, 7 February.

Two referees leant on the bar talking shop. Their conversation went like this.

There are a few firsts for Craig Joubert next month when he referees the friendly in the desert - Cheetahs vs Sharks in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

rugby365 editor Jan de Koning gives the International Rugby Board a few hints on how to spread the 'rugby gospel', as they try to convince the International Olympic Committee that their game also deserves a spot on the Olympic stage.

There are no Tests this weekend. That is almost freakish but Europe again throws itself into hectic action with the reverse of last weekend's matches and there is the Varsity match at Twickenham.

The Barbarians played the Wallabies in midweek and then the Heineken Cup was in full force. Those events dominated the week.

England played New Zealand at Twickenham. At half-time the All Blacks led 12-3 and eventually won 32-6. We give some statistics from the match.

Heineken Cup and Challenge Cup break out again this weekend and before that there is the Barbarians' match at Wembley Stadium.

The South African Referees' Committee has announced the panels of referees for 2009, starting with the National Panel which has five new referees.

November is done and so, by and large, are its Tests. An exciting month ending with an exciting match in Cardiff.

In 2006 Mark Lawrence seemed dead and about to be buried as a referee. Like Gospel Lazarus, he came back. In 2008 he received both top refereeing awards in South Africa - the Referee of the Year and the Referees' Referee of the Year.

rugby365s Robbie Fleck looks back at the England Test and makes some of his own awards after an exciting 2008 rugby season...

It's quieter this weekend with several Tests fewer but, of course, the club stuff picks up again, and southern men head for the beaches.

In three weeks we had 18 Tests played by 12 countries, and we garnered some statistics from those Tests.

It was the third week involving top Tests amongst top nations. Things will be quieter (= less interesting) from next week.

At the grand IRB Awards Ceremony at Billingsgate in London on Sunday evening, Andre Watson received the Referee Award for Distinguished Service.

On Saturday in Zenica, and ancient town north of Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina play host to Azerbaijan in a match in Division 3D of the European Nations Cup and the referee is Ashley Morton of Norway. It is his very first Test.

Again we have some statistics from six Tests played over the third weekend of November - England vs South Africa, Wales vs New Zealand, France vs Australia, Ireland vs Argentina, Scotland vs Canada and Italy vs the Pacific Islanders with wins for South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Scotland and the Pacific Islanders.

Los Teros of Uruguay won the Copa Hermandad (Brotherhood Cup) by beating Los Condores of Chile 46-12 in Montevideo on Saturday.

Top panel South African referee Christie du Preez has decided to change his refereeing focus and concentrate on being an assistant referee from now on.

Chile play Uruguay in Montevideo on Saturday as part of the South American championship. They play for the Copa Hermandad.

South Africa's coach Peter de Villiers has complained about the referees, finding their rulings at the tackle incomprehensible.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell says that the Springboks are on a downward spiral under Peter de Villiers and that England will fancy their chances against South Africa on Saturday.

rugby365s Robbie Fleck is back from Bermuda and he looks ahead to this weekend's Springbok Test against England at Twickenham.

It's on again - especially in London, Paris and Cardiff where the interest will be huge. The referees there are Nigel Owens of Wales and the South Africans Craig Joubert and Jonathan Kaplan who recently established a world record for a Test referee.

There were Tests from Nagoya to Madrid with hundreds of thousands of people to watch them at the grounds and millions on television.

We have stats from six matches over the weekend - Scotland vs South Africa, Wales vs Canada, Ireland vs New Zealand, France vs Pacific Islands, Italy vs Argentina, and England vs Australia. We also have some averages.

At Murrayfield on Saturday in the rain the Scottish crowd repeatedly booed the mighty New Zealanders for dropping the scrums, seemingly with impunity. The falling scrum is a problem in rugby.

rugby365s Robbie Fleck reports back from the World Classics in Bermuda, whilst also looking at the Springbok tour of the United Kingdom.

The fixtures for the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International have been announced, with an explosive double header - in Port Elizabeth and Pretoria - set to kick-start the third edition of the tournament.

You cannot really fool friends and colleagues and clearly Kelvin Deaker admired him for many things, above all for being a good team man.

Kelvin Deaker, one of the world's top referees, has announced his retirement from all rugby at the age of 43.

SANZAR has announced that it will draw up a merit list of referees and appoint them regardless of their national connections. But Kelvin Deaker, the top New Zealand referee who has just retired, doubts that it will work.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell analyses the 'new' game-plan that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers keeps talking about.

November has come in with a bang. Tests everywhere. We have statistics on just six of them - Wales vs South Africa, Italy vs Australia, Scotland vs New Zealand, France vs Argentina, Ireland vs Canada and England vs the Pacific Islands.

It's another big November weekend with big matches showing off the rugby talent of the world. And there are the top referees of the world in action as well.

Connacht beat the touring Portuguese team 27-11 at the Showgrounds in Galway on Sunday.

What a Saturday! Tests from Padua to Salt Lake City, from Moscow to Santiago. Sadly the weather was not always cooperative - except of course at Millennium Stadium which makes its own weather. And there is more next week.

The United States easily beat Uruguay 43-9 in their one-off Test at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, marking the Eagles' first win of the year and a great start to a big month for the Americans.

Portugal have come to Ireland on a two-match tour, the first against Connacht in Galway on Sunday evening.

Since August this year, the Springboks have had their own law man in their management team.

The USA Eagles face the Teros of Uruguay in the brand new Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, a large suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday.

The International Rugby Board has again stressed the need for compliance in the application of the laws governing the tackle and the ruck and the scrum feed.

rugby365 columnist Robbie Fleck finds himself in Bermuda, but he has made time to look ahead to Saturday's Test between the Boks and Wales in Cardiff.

There is a change of referee for the match between France and Argentina at Stade Velodrome in Marseilles on Saturday.

Spain travel to Moscow this weekend to play Russia in the opening match of FIRA's European Nations Cup, Division 1 - the so-called Six Nations B.

He is a mobile man who has settled down. He has gone from Brisbane to Lisbon and become a rare bird in modern times - an international player who has become an international referee - Rohan Hoffmann.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell tells us why he feels that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is on the right track with his year-end tour planning.

In April this year Igotz Gallastegi refereed his first Test - Austria vs Norway in Vienna. This week he will hop into the Pyrenees and referee his second - Andorra against Lithuania. It is a long way from the sophisticated professionals in big stadiums, but he rejoices in what he does.

In sweaty Hong Kong, New Zealand had a strong second half in the fourth Bledisloe Cup match.

Bledisloe Cup Mark 4 may not have had any bearing on the destination of the Bledisloe Cup in 2008 but there was not less passion and endeavour because of that as the two great teams met in sweaty Hong Kong before a crowd of some 39 000. We give some statistics of the match.

University of Cape Town (UCT) head coach John Dobson has enlisted the help of some high-profile coaches and sports scientists as the Ikey Tigers attempt to go one better in next year's FNB Varsity Cup tournament.

The big international season in the Northern Hemisphere bursts into sudden life this weekend. Also starting this weekend is the Division 1 of the European Nations Cup when Spain visit Moscow.

Canada beat Portugal 21-13 at Estadio Universitario in Lisbon on Saturday afternoon, the first match of Canada's tour to Europe. Canada scored two tries to one.

Canada kick off their European tour with a match against Portugal in Lisbon on Saturday. It will be only the second time the two teams have met.

October is over and we are into November with All Saints and then All Souls to excite us about the last things. And the last things of the year are exciting, starting in Hong Kong.

SA Rugby and the SA Rugby Referees' Society will launch a national advertising campaign during November and December that aims to attract new recruits to the country?s refereeing ranks.

What a great Final in Durban on Saturday when the Sharks beat the Blue Bulls 14-9, two tries to nil! It was a match of high intensity.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell takes a look at the Currie Cup Final, the bolters in Peter de Villiers' Springbok team and most importantly, he explains why the Boks MUST win all their matches on the year-end tour.

In response to requests for a ruling on the maul made by the New Zealand Rugby Union, the IRB's designated members have issued a ruling dated 22 October 2008.

There were big winners in South Africa and New Zealand this weekend. Both of them were tense, intense encounters with low scoring - just three tries in two finals.

The Air Wellington Cup Final was played in wet Wellington on Saturday when Canterbury won 7-6. We give some statistics from the match.

JC Fortuin has announced his retirement from representative rugby. Colleagues have sent in tributes to this kind, thoughtful, courteous, honest man.

JC Fortuin, one of South Africa's top referees, has decided to withdraw from refereeing representative matches.

Former Bok star Robbie Fleck puts his money where his mouth is ahead of the Absa Currie Cup Final - Sharks all the way, says rugby365s columnist.

Jonathan Kaplan will referee his fourth Currie Cup Final in Durban on Saturday, one of 23 referees to referee a Final since the first Final in 1939.

Bryce Lawrence of the Bay of Plenty has been appointed to referee his second Air New Zealand Cup Final when Wellington host Canterbury. It is also the second time these two teams have met in a Final.

Cobus Wessels is a specialised referee's assistant. He loves it and it has brought rewards of its own.

South Africa's provinces have competed for a trophy since 1889. Since 1892 that trophy has been the Currie Cup. Playing Finals have been more recent and continuous since 1968. It is the big event of the domestic season.

The second weekend of Heineken Cup matches flew past. Inevitably there are some little aspects of law-in-action which are worth looking at.

It's final time in New Zealand and South Africa with Bryce Lawrence and Jonathan Kaplan - not for the first time - appointed to the big matches. This will be Lawrence's second final, Kaplan's fourth.

rugby365 columnists Steve Farrell takes a look at the Currie Cup Final and the Springbok team to be announced on Saturday. He tells us why he disagrees with Robbie Kempson.

Provincial rugby organised in a competition in New Zealand is relatively young and finals date back only to 1992 - not that anybody will be less enthusiasm as they head for Westpac Stadium in Wellington this Saturday when Wellington play Canterbury in the third final of the Air New Zealand Cup.

The Heineken Cup went into action over the weekend and inevitably there are just a few points of law discussion which are worthwhile.

South Africa and New Zealand head into their big provincial finals next Saturday and Europe's top competitions went into their second round.

rugby365.com columnist Robbie Fleck would like to see the Springbok selectors plump for youth on SA's upcoming tour of Europe.

The experimental law variations went universal on 1 August. The Southern Hemisphere would like more change, the Northern Hemisphere less.

It is easy to suppose that is always was and ever shall be. That is certainly not the case with the ever-changing Currie Cup system and certainly not the case with promotion/relegation matches.

The SANZAR nations - South Africa, New Zealand, Australia - met in Sydney on Wednesday and discussed the method of using the experimental law variations in 2009.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell says it's sad that all the off field shenanigans in South African rugby are getting more attention than a Currie Cup Final that has the potential to go down as a true classic in every sense of the word on October 25.

The two Currie Cup semifinals - Sharks vs Lions in Durban and Blue Bulls vs Cheetahs in Pretoria - both produced clear-cut winners and now we have two tense weeks before the final. We have some statistics from the two semifinals.

Steve Walsh and Bryce Lawrence will referee the semifinals of the Air New Zealand Cup. Also appointed are the match officals for the Meads and Lochore Cups.

Europe goes on with its two big competitions, New Zealand has semifinals and South Africa has the heartache of promotion-relegation matches.

rugby365.com columnist Robbie Fleck looks ahead to the weekend's Currie Cup semifinals - in Durban and Pretoria.

There is a 2011 World Cup qualifier to be played in Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad when Brazil play Trinidad & Tobago, and the referee will be David Smortchevsky from the far west of Canada.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell looks into his crystal ball and tells us what the future holds ...actually just for this weekend's Currie Cup semifinals.

The Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup get under way in the north while in the South New Zealand and South Africa are at the nail-biting time of knock-out.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell entertains us with his weekly contribution, this week looking at the stars of the Currie Cup and who of them will make Peter de Villiers' year-end Springbok squad.

Jonathan Kaplan has been appointed to referee his fourth Currie Cup Final. He was appointed to the match just ahead of Mark Lawrence, who refereed last year's Final. Saints sign two Currie Cup stars | Blue Bulls get the doctor's 'all clear'

The lucrative EDF Energy Cup for clubs from England and regions of Wales starts this weekend as does the All Ireland League but the biggest match may well be in Cape Town, the last match of the Currie Cup Round Robin for the last place in the play-offs.

Peter Fitzgibbon of Ireland has been appointed to the two Tests between Japan and the USA in November. He will then become a brand new Test referee.

Robbie Fleck looks at the Currie Cup, selects a new loose forward for the Boks and previews Saturday's Intervarsity clash in Stellenbosch.

There is an Under-19 champion in Europe and tough club and representative matches, especially in New Zealand and South Africa where competitions hot up.

The last match of the 2008 Tri-Nations was enthralling. It was heroic and romantic, full of adventure and the best effort that top players can extract from body and soul. I was so excited that I was keen to hear what the Australian experts had to say - Greg Clark and his team of Rod Kafer, Phil Kearns and Greg Martin.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell takes a look at the big conundrum facing the various provincial coaches - whether to rest their Springboks or in the coming weeks.

George Clancy of Ireland has been appointed to referee the Twickenham Test between England and the Pacific Islands on 8 November.

New Zealand star Dan Carter is the only Southern Hemisphere player on the IRB nominations for the Player of the Year awards - a list dominated by men from the north.   Email us your top five players of the year?

The following interesting piece was written by Brian Dick, the rugby correspondent of the Birmingham Post.

Peripatetic referee Carlo Damasco is in Cardiff this weekend as the IRB and others seek to promote the young referee from Naples.

Robbie Fleck reports back from his trip to Scotland, as well as paying tribute to a talented UCT player who lost his life at the weekend.

The European Cup has announced the referees appointed to the first two Rounds of the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup.

Following the Referee and Laws Selection Committee meeting, USA Rugby announced today the referee appointments to the National Panel, National Focus Group and Director?s Panel for the 2008-2009 competition season.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced details of an expanded trial of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) at an elite level of competition in the northern hemisphere.

The impossible is happening it seems - no Tests this weekend. It won't last, of course. There are some big matches this week with top referees to referee them.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell dissects the Tri-Nations tournament and tells us who the big winners and losers are. Yes, New Zealand are the champions, but are they truly the best?

The last match of the 2008 Tri-Nations was a thriller as the All Blacks held the Wallabies at bay to win 28-24 in Brisbane. We give some statistics of the match and also overall stats of the Tri-Nations.

England's Premiership has - as has the rest of the rugby world, adopted the experimental law variations, but just to keep the world guessing they are different from those used in the Tri-Nations whose last round match millions will be watching on Saturday.

The big one this weekend, a huge one, is the last match of the 2008 Tri-Nations which has all the air of a final, the third match in the Bledisloe Cup, and Jonathan Kaplan of South Africa is the man to referee it.

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell tells us why it is important for Springbok coach Peter de Villiers to get a proper minder, especially in time when he is in the firing line, to ensure he does not make matters worse.

There have been changes to Week 8 and there are new appointments for Weeks 9 and 10 of the Air New Zealand Cup.

Robbie Fleck is on the move again, but he remembered his laptop in order to make his prediction for the Tri-Nations finale.

There was consternation in Bloemfontein when Western Province wanted Conrad Jantjes to go back onto the field after he had been in the blood bin. Western Province management were upset when Jantjes was not allowed to resume playing.

Blink an eye and the season is over. In fact life's season is a short one. But here we are, after much head-banging, with our final Top 20 for 2008.

The Lions have requested that the referees for all their matches, not just the Test matches, be refereed by non-South Africans.

The November Tests in the Northern Hemisphere produce a flurry of matches with many top appointments - and welcome back Steve Walsh to Test refereeing.

Whilst impressed with last week's win over the Wallabies, rugby365s Robbie Fleck still has a few questions left unanswered.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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 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 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.

Coach Jimmy Watt has announced his TUT matchday 22 to face the University of Cape Town (UCT) on Monday in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing first week defeat when they host the University of Pretoria (TUKS) for their Varsity Cup clash on Monday night in Port Elizabeth.

The Shimlas' exciting flyhalf Lionel Cronje has been named at fullback for their FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International clash against the North West University (Pukke) on Monday.

Former Springbok captain Andre Vos was spotted on the sidelines on Monday as the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University took on Shimlas in Cape Town. We caught up with the NMMU technical assistant to find out what he thought of the game, his coaching role and his views on the Varsity Cup.

Shimlas prop Drew van Coller has been cleared to play following a disciplinary hearing on Thursday, and will be available for selection for Shimlas' upcoming Varsity Cup fixture presented by Steinhoff International against Pukke at Shimla Park.

Rugby365 columnist Ebrahim Moerat takes a look at the effects of the global economy has had on the rugby world so far.

A strong final fifteen minutes from Shimlas saw them come away from their Varsity Cup opening encounter with a comfortable 37-11 win over the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University at UCT on Monday night.

The University of Fort Hare beat the University of the Western Cape 31-6 in their exhibition match, at the start of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, on Monday.

University of the Western Cape (UWC) head coach Shamiel Boer has named his side for this Monday's big Varsity Cup curtain-raiser with the University of Fort Hare in Cape Town.

Lumumba Currie will captain the University of Fort Hare into battle on Monday afternoon as they take on the University of the Western Cape in a Varsity Cup curtain-raiser.

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) have been boosted by the return of Valke centre Johan Swartz for their Varsity Cup clash against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on Monday.

Ex-Ikey Tigers hooker JP Koster will come face-to-face with his former team-mates when Stellenbosch University takes on the University of Cape Town (UCT) in Varsity Cup action on Monday, February 2.

The University of Johannesburg's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, preparations received a major confidence booster after they convincingly beat Russia 36-15 at Milopark on Sunday.

rugby365 columnist Ebrahim Moerat believes keeping core players fresh during the Super 14 is crucial as the Springboks look to muffle the Lions' roar.

For years there's been calls for officials to consistently get the calls right due to the high stakes in rugby, even at amateur level in South Africa. But most of this criticism is based on opinion, emotion and not fact.

Saracens boss Eddie Jones looks ahead to the IRB's final decision on the Experimental Law Variations, and feels there is only one that's worth keeping. Wallaby lock re-signs with Bath | Tuitupou out for the season | Meyer dashes home

English referee Wayne Barnes will take charge of the French Top 14 game between Bourgoin and Biarritz on Saturday, as part of a referee exchange between the two countries' rugby union federations.

Professional rugby is a potentially lucrative career offering a variety of opportunities; however not all promising and talented players will be able to call it a real job for too long.

The fixtures for the 2009 Varsity Cup have been announced; with 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar declaring his intentions ahead of the second edition of this fantastic tournament by saying: "We're taking Mondays back!"

rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell pays tribute to South Africa's superb showing against England and expects more of the same in 2009.

SANZAR has taken the ground-breaking step of empowering their top match officials to referee more of the best matches in Super 14, ensuring the highest standard of refereeing in its 2009 competitions.

Centre sensation Sam Tuitupou makes his long awaited Guinness Premiership comeback as Worcester Warriors tackle newcomers Leeds Carnegie at Sixways Stadium on Friday.