Groundhog Day for Varsity Cup SFs

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.

It will once again be UCT versus Pukke and Maties v Tukkies at Groote Schuur and the Danie Craven Stadium, respectively, although the log positions were slightly different this year.

Last year, UCT topped the log, followed by Maties, Tukkies and Pukke – but those four teams played in the opening games (UCT v Pukke and Maties v Tuks) in the inaugural Varsity Cup and also featured in the final round of 2009. Ironically, the final round fixtures this year saw wins for the two sides playing away in the semi’s – Pukke and Tuks.

This year, Maties topped the log on 28 points, followed by UCT (25 points), Pukke (23) and then, finally, Tuks (20).

“I guess we couldn’t have scripted it better,” noted Bosman, who confirmed that the two matches would kick-off at 4.45pm and 6.45, respectively.

“Congratulations must go to all four teams that are in the semifinals for the second year running.”

Bosman continued: “The 2009 tournament has delivered four top-notch sides competing in the play-offs and if we get just half the drama from last year’s semifinals then I think we’re in for some very exciting rugby once again.

“Last year’s semifinals produced a total of 154 points; there were plenty of tries, excitement and drama and it effectively established the Varsity Cup on the local rugby scene. We’re confident that the semifinals, and final, this year will do exactly that.”

There was, of course, drama aplenty in Monday’s last round of league action, with UCT losing 13-17 to Pukke – but still securing a home semifinal in the process – and Tuks squeezing into the semifinals courtesy of a last-gasp win over the previously unbeaten Maties in Stellenbosch.

The home side ran into a 7-0 lead after just two minutes, but the visitors fought back to take a 25-23 advantage, before Maties missed a late try-scoring chance when captain Wesley Wilkins dropped the ball on the tryline.

Then, with time running out on the clock, Donald Stevens – the leading points-scorer in the Varsity Cup – missed a shot at goal that would have given his side a win.

Instead, Tuks won and they will head to the Danie Craven Stadium for the fourth time in two seasons of Varsity Cup rugby – no doubt hoping to repeat their shock win over the Men in Maroon.

Should Tuks beat the Maties, the winner of the UCT-Pukke match will be able to host the 2009 final – although last year UCT lost out on that right as their lights are not good enough to host a 6.45pm television match.

Tuks – who themselves lost out on two home matches this season because of their insufficient lighting for TV games – are actually something of a bogey team for Maties in the Varsity Cup.

Last season they drew 31-31 and 44-44 (Maties eventually won the latter match 47-44 – the semifinal – in extra-time) and then on Monday, Tukkies managed to end Maties’ unbeaten run in the 2009 tournament.

Bosman concluded: “There certainly is plenty to play for next week… We will, of course, announce venue of the final and the kick-off time(s), etc, once we know who will be in the final. And once we recover from what should be two high-quality semifinal fixtures!”

Varsity Cup semifinals line-up, March 23, 2009:

FNB UCT v FNB Pukke, 4.45pm
Groote Schuur fields, Cape Town
Referee: Ben Crouse

FNB Maties v FNB Tuks, 6.45pm
Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Referee: Archie Sehlako

* If the UCT-Pukke match ends in a draw after regulation time, extra-time will be played. The second semifinal in Stellenbosch will thus start a few minutes later.

Twenty minutes of extra-time will be played – ten minutes each half, with one minute for half-time in between.

If the scores are still equal at the conclusion of extra-time, a ‘kick-out’ will be held.

In the ‘kick-out’, each team chooses five players to place-kick from a designated point on the field as instructed by the Tournament Director, or referee. If the scores are still equal at that point; the kicks will then be done on a sudden-death basis.