Picking a VC 'Baa-baas' side!
The FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International tournament has once again come and gone – but it is clear that it is going from strength to strength and will be an important part of the South African rugby calendar for many years to come.
So much so, that many knowledgeable critics believe that some sort of recognition should be given to the sponsors and the players involved in the tournament following their splendid efforts over the past two months.
Many international teams will be visiting South Africa over the next few months, with the highlight, of course, being the tour by the British & Irish Lions.
It would surely be a fine gesture on the part of the South African Rugby Union to acknowledge the efforts put into the game by FNB, Steinhoff and the Varsity Cup’s other sponsors by inviting them to field a team, made up of players who took part in this year’s Varsity Cup, as a curtain-raiser to an international match involving South Africa. Preferably, of course, one where the Lions and Springboks are involved.
That leads us to the question of a possible squad for such an auspicious occasion.
Former Springbok centre Eben Olivier – who served on the EP selection panel for many years, and is highly-regarded in rugby circles – has come up with an interesting squad should something like this materialise.
It is dominated by players from the Maties ranks, but this is understandable considering their excellent efforts in retaining the trophy in fine style.
Olivier and a few friends, who followed the Varsity Cup intensely, have put together a squad that may not be to the satisfaction of all concerned, but it will be a point of discussion in the varsity rugby ranks.
There are, of course, the usual surprises. But that is the norm for any team selection!
The biggest probably is the omission of Maties scrumhalf Donald Stevens, who scored 105 points during the competition and was named the official Player of the Tournament. Shimlas scrumhalf Jaco Colyn has received the nod, with Stevens amongst the replacements.
The Varsity Cup XV (put together by Olivier and co.): 15 Tiger Bax (UCT), 14 Therlow Pietersen (UCT), 13 Paul Bosch (Maties), 12 Wouter Watermeyer (Pukke), 11 Morne Jooste (Maties), 10 Matthew Rosslee (UCT), 9 Jaco Colyn (Shimlas), 8 JJ Gagiano (UCT), 7 Willem van der Wal (Pukke), 6 Wesley Wilkins (Maties, captain), 5 Jaco Nepgen (Maties), 4 Andre Tredoux (Shimlas), 3 Lourens Adriaanse (Maties), 2 Mathew Dobson (Maties), 1 Johan Roets (Maties).
Replacements: 16 JP Koster (Maties), 17 Dylan Rogers (UCT), 18 Wouter Moore (TUT), 19 Cameron Peverett (Maties), 20 Donald Stevens (Maties), 21 Johan Jackson (Tukkies), 22 JJ Engelbrecht (Maties).
By Stan Terblanche
