Preview: Varsity Shield, Round Five
There remains plenty to play for with the pick of the matches being the tussle for second-place in Johannesburg between Wits and UWC.
Wits are currently in second place, having amassed two victories from their three matches to contribute to their 11 points – their only loss coming at the hands of UKZN in the opening round of the tournament. UWC trail Wits by three points, having claimed the same record but their inability to bag bonus points along the way see them holding down third place.
Victory for either side will go a long way in their search of reaching the final on April 4, and having the chance to gain promotion to the Varsity Cup in the promotion/relegation fixture.
The other match of the night, sees the both winless sides duke it out to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon – both sides having played three matches.
It will certainly not be an easy task for fourth-placed TUT-Vikings as they face a tricky trip to Alice to take on Fort Hare. TUT suffered defeats at the hands of Wits, UWC and UKZN but were able to bag two bonus points along the way to keep them off the bottom of the table.
Fort Hare suffered defeats to the same sides and their solitary point came in their opening round fixture at home to UWC.
We look at all the Varsity Shield action!
Wits v UWC
(Wits Rugby Stadium, Kick-off: 18.30)
Wits: TBC
UWC: 15 Darian Hock, 14 Minenhle Mthethwa, 13 Courtney Cupido, 12 Ruan Mostert, 11 Byron Burgess, 10 Aidynn Cupido, 9 Clayton Daniels, 8 Jose Julies, 7 Matthew le Roux, 6 Philbrey Joseph (captain), 5 Brandon Valentyn, 4 Stuart Austin, 3 Kelvin de Bruyn, 2 Peter Wanjiru, 1 Wayron Losper.
Replacements: 16 Brandon-Lee Beukman, 17 Robin Paulse, 18 Matthew Faught, 19 Jeremy Papier, 20 Matthew Nortje, 21 Dean Herbert, 22 Marcus Kleinbooi, 23 Tahriq Allen.
Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi
Fort Hare v TUT-Vikings
(Davidson Rugby Stadium, Kick-off: 18.30)
Teams:
Fort Hare: 15 Sibongile Novuka, 14 Aziyena Mandaba 13 Luyolo Batshise, 12 Siphosethu Tom, 11 Asiphe Fihla, 10 Siviwe Bisset, 9 Alandre Sias, 8 Philisani Ncoko, 7 Zanoxolo Qwele, 6 Malusi Vula, 5 Athenkosi Makeleni, 4 Sibusiso Sityebi, 3 Olwethu Mputla, 2 Justin Antonie, 1 Bulelani Mdodana .
Replacements: 16 Mzingabantu Vitsha, 17 Lusindiso Nkomo, 18 Asiphe Fanele, 19 Siphelele Phunguzwa, 20 Qhama Masiza, 21 Athiphila Mlotywa, 22 Akhona Matutu, 23 Lulamile Kama.
TUT-Vikings: 15 Lisa Banzi, 14 Chestwin Gaffley, 13 Ian Truter, 12 Dumsani Mthethwa, 11 Tshepo Nyathi, 10 Lukas van Zyl, 9 Shaun Jaards, 8 Claude Johannes, 7 George Letshuma, 6 Calvin Maduna, 5 William Thompson, 4 Armand Marshall, 3 Jonty Voogt, 2 Christo Lategan, 1 Stanley Modjadji.
Replacements: 16 Jurie Huyser, 17 JJ Nelson, 18 Francois de Villers, 19 Percy Mathloko, 20 Litha Vumisa, 21 Frankie Abrahams, 22 Arno Brits, 23 Kevin Ngonyama.
Referee: Sindile Ngcese
