Preview: Varsity Shield, Round Four
Log leaders and current high flyers, UKZN-Impi are coming off the back of three consecutive victories to remain the only unbeaten side in the competition. They made light work of Fort Hare in Round Three on Monday with a 61-10 victory.
They face a tricky trip to Pretoria to face the unpredictable TUT-Vikings with a fourth successive victory on their minds. TUT have not had the best start to their campaign, with two losses from their two matches – a humiliating 0-53 loss to Gauteng-rivals Wits in Round Two and a slender 15-21 loss to UWC in Pretoria in Round Three.
A victory for TUT would be considered a massive upset as they have managed to secure just one point from their matches while the Impi have amassed 13 to hold a five point lead over second-placed UWC, who enjoy a bye this round.
In the other match of the day, third-placed Wits can move within two points of the Impi with a bonus point victory over Fort Hare. Wits held their own against the Impi in the opening match of the competition before handing TUT a hiding the following round.
Like TUT, Fort Hare have endured a torrid start to the competition, suffering two successive defeats to UWC and UKZN respectively to find themselves second-from-bottom, tied on points with TUT.
We look at Thursday's action!
Fort Hare v Wits
(Davidson Rugby Stadium, Kick-off: 18.30)
Teams:
Fort Hare: 15 Vukile Novuka, 14 Aziyena Mandaba, 13 Luyolo Batshise, 12 Siphosethu Tom, 11 Asiphe Fihla, 10 Siviwe Bisset, 9 Elandre 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 Siphesihle Punguzwa, 20 Qhama Masiza, 21 Athiphila Mlotywa, 22 Akhona Matutu, 23 Lulamile Kama.
Wits: 15 AJ van Blerk, 14 Kwanele Ngema, 13 Joshua Jarvis, 12 Wade Worthington, 11 Sicelo Champion, 10 Warren Gilbert, 9 Ruan Cloete, 8 Constant Beckerling, 7 Connor Brocksmidt, 6 Ruan MacDonald, 5 Rhynou Herbst, 4 Graham Logan, 3 Luvuyo Papuma, 2 CJ Conradie,1 Tijde Visser.
Replacements: 16 Craig Hume, 17 Ameer Williams, 18 Mitchell Fraser, 19 Ayabulela Mdudi, 20 Luxolo Ntsepe, 21 Kyle Weseman, 22 Wian Coetzee, 23 Brandon Palmer.
Referee: Rodney Boneparte
TUT-Vikings v UKZN-Impi
(TUT Stadium, Kick-off: 18.30)
Teams:
TUT-Vikings: 15 Lisa Banzi, 14 Xavier Gaffley, 13 Arno Brits, 12 Ian Truter, 11 Tshepo Nyathi, 10 Lukas van Zyl, 9 Shawn Jaards, 8 Jason Johannes, 7 Francois de Villiers, 6 Percy Matlhoko, 5 William Thomson, 4 Calvin Maduna, 3 Nkateko Ngonyama, 2 Christo Lategan, 1 Ratsaka Modjadji.
Replacements: 16 Jurie Huyser, 17 Jacob Nelson, 18 George Letshuma, 19 Armand Marshall, 20 Litha Vumisa, 21 Dumsani Mthethwa, 22 Frank Abrahams, 22 Jonty Voogt.
UKZN-Impi: 15 Siphathisene Dube, 14 S'busiso Nkosi, 13 Grant Rattray, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Shayne Makhombe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Willem Badenhorst, 8 Michael Meyer, 7 Sanele Malwane, 6 Sizwe Puza, 5 Jean Drotse, 4 Jordan Martin, 3 Ntandoyenkosi Mpofana, 2 Mikyle Webster (captain), 1 Andrew Acton.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Lindokuhle Radebe, 18 Rikus Zwart, 19 Njabulo Zondi, 20 Langelihle Shange, 21 Tristan Tedder, 22 Tristan Blewett, 23 Pierre van der Walt.
Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi
