Varsity Rugby locked and loaded

 

After two winless years in the Varsity Cup Wits return to the competition, but will be the only team not in action on Monday due to their bye in the first round.

 

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers’ UWC will host last year’s beaten finalists UKZN, whilst in Pretoria last year’s wooden spoonists the TUT Vikings will take on Fort Hare.

 

Last year was a disappointing campaign for UWC which saw them end in fourth place, and De Villiers knows how important it will be to start well if they are going to be a force in the competition this year.

 

“There is no way in the ten weeks of the competition that you can trip over anything, you have got one opportunity and you must take it,” he told varsitycup.co.za.

 

The Impi have parted ways with former All Black coach John Mitchell, with Sharks Under-19 coach Ryan Strudwick having taken over, and De Villiers is expecting them to build on the solid foundation from last year.

 

“UKZN was a different team last year because they got some help from the Sharks, so we expect them to build on the kind of structures that were put in place,” he said.

 

The former Bok mentor said that his players have been given freedom to express themselves this season, which should make for some exciting rugby.

 

“We are going to play total rugby, they are going to look at the situation and play what is in front of them.

 

“We have started to get the players to read the messages in front of them and to react to that. So we will play a brand of rugby that I have always loved,” said De Villiers.

 

In the other Varsity Shield clash hosts TUT will be looking to make a statement in front of their home fans under the guidance of new coach Sax Chirwa.

 

Their opponents the Fort Hare Blues are looking to build on last season which saw them finish in third position, although coach Elliot Fana has had to make something of a new start with many of his senior players no longer available.

 

He is confident that the new players have what it takes to step up, but knows that they face a stern test from what will be a determined TUT side.

 

“I think the new players are up to it, they will be no pushovers and they will be able to stand their ground.

 

“We also have to maintain where we were last year, so it is a huge challenge for us,” said Fana.

 

 

 

UWC: 15 Darian Hock, 14 Gavian Cloete, 13 Minenhle Mthethwa, 12 Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 Quaid Langeveldt, 9 Matthew Nortje, 8 Darren Luiters, 7 Jose Julies (captain), 6 Matthew Faught, 5 Stuart Austin, 4 Heynes Kotze, 3 Tahriq Allen, 2 Lifa Ghana, 1 Curtis Beukes.

Replacements: 16 Chadwin Robertson, 17 Wayron Losper, 18 Mitch Lingeveldt, 19 Brandon Beukman, 20 Damian Stevens, 21 Lubabalo Faleni, 22 Shane Pietersen, 23 Gustav Heydenrych.

 

UKZN Impi: 15 Spa Dube, 14 Hendrik Lategan, 13 Marcel Coetzee, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Shayne Makombe, 10 Inny Radebe, 9 Graham Koch, 8 Adam Wessels, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Lwazi Ngcungama, 5 Christie van der Merwe, 4 David Harel, 3 Sizwe Kubheka, 2 Chris de Beer, 1 Njabulo Mkize.

Replacements: 16 Mikyle Webster, 17 Ntando Mpofana, 18 Michael Hutton, 19 Sanele Malwane, 20 Langelihle Shange, 21 Gavin Nyawata, 22 Yandisa Mdolomba, 23 Matthew Mandioma.

 

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant referees: Local

TMO: Deon van Blommestein

 

 

TUT Vikings: 15 Paul Walters, 14 Tovhowani Nefale, 13 Vian Riekert, 12 Edwin Oliver, 11 Nelis Snyman, 10 Lee Roy Afrika, 9 Shawn Jaards, 8 Claude Johannes, 7 Attie Joubert, 6 Mandla Mdaka, 5 Jaco van Staden, 4 Armand Marshall, 3 James Frost, 2 Hamish Herd (captain), 1 Wian van Schalkwyk.

Replacements: 16 Jean Claude le Roux, 17 Ryan Sim, 18 Ross Middelcote, 19 Wessel Jordaan, 20 Deon Joubert, 21 Dylan du Buisson, 22 DK Mukendi, 23 RW De Wal.

 

Fort Hare Blues: 15 Akhona Matutu, 14 Hlubi Mvana, 13 Lundi Ralarala, 12 Lithabile Mgwadleka, 11 Aziyena Mandaba, 10 Sivakele Ulana, 9 Khaya Siqoko, 8 Athenkosi Manentsa, 7 Madoda Ludidi, 6 Siphesihle Punguzwa, 5 Sibusiso Sityebi, 4 Lwando Nteta, 3 Olwethu Mputla, 2 Sesethu Time, 1 Lwando Mabenge.

Replacements: 16 Lutho Klaas, 17 Zanoxolo Qwele, 18 Ntyatyambo Mkhafu, 19 Malusi Vula, 20 Elandre Sias, 21 Siviwe Bisset, 22 Khanyiso Komani, 23 Litha Labase.

 

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys 

Assistant referees: Local

TMO: Willie Vos