Academics before rugby pleasure
The FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International will put academics before pleasure for next month’s top-of-the-log clash between the FNB Maties and FNB UCT in Stellenbosch; with the kick-off for that much-anticipated match moving from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Stellenbosch University will be hosting its annual graduation function on Monday, March 8 (the day of the Maties-UCT fixture), which is why the match at the Danie Craven Stadium will now kick-off a bit later – in what is a prime-time slot.
The game will still be televised live on SuperSport One and, as a result, the other televised game that week – between FNB UJ and FNB NMMU in Johannesburg – has been moved to 6.30pm (from 4.30pm); followed, of course, by Maties v UCT at 8.30pm.
“The Maties-UCT Varsity Cup matches have all been crackers, so it’s great news that this match will still be played in Stellenbosch in front of our home crowd,” Maties head coach Chean Roux told varsitycup.co.za.
“8.30pm is also a great time slot for those people at home watching on TV, so it’s win-win as far as I’m concerned.”
UCT coach John Dobson added: “Playing against Maties is always a special fixture – especially in the Varsity Cup, given some of the epic battles we’ve had, and a later kick-off time means that we should be able to draw an even bigger crowd.
“There is a lot of excitement in our squad, given the great history between the Ikeys and Maties, and the slightly later kick-off is simply adding to the anticipation ahead of the clash.”
Click HERE for the full list of 2010 Varsity Cup fixtures!
