Preview: Varsity Shield, Round Nine
The team that wins the Shield division gets an automatic promotion into the Cup competition while the losing finalist will play a promotion/relegation match against the Cup team that finishes at the bottom of the log.
UKZN-Impi are in pole position and victory for them over TUT-Vikings on Saturday will guarantee them a spot in the Final. This will be the Impi's final round-robin fixture while TUT still has another match to fulfill.
The Impi have amassed 27 points from their six matches and are coming off the back of a morale-boosting 97-0 victory over Fort Hare. It was the perfect way to bounce back after going down 16-44 at the hands of UWC in Round Seven.
UKZN are currently three points ahead of second-placed UWC, who enjoy a bye this round, and five points clear of third placed Wits.
The Vikings have yet to taste victory in the competition, losing all six of their matches. However, they have managed to pick up three bonus points along the way.
In the other match of the round, Wits will targeting maximum points against Fort Hare which will put them in prime position to claim a spot in the Final with one game remaining in the tournament.
Wits have managed to bag 22 points from their six matches, picking up four victories and a bonus point in each of their matches. Victory for Wits will see them leapfrog UWC into second place, to set up an intriguing final round clash.
Fort Hare are coming off the back of some trouble, after they were docked two points for fielding an ineligible player in their Round One fixture against UWC in Alice. The Eastern Cape side will be looking to pick up their second victory of the competition and get themselves off the foot of the table.
However, their confidence will be at an all-time low as they suffered a 0-97 loss at the hands of the Impi in Round Eight.
We look at Saturday's action!
UKZN-Impi v TUT-Vikings
(Rand Stadium, Johannesburg; Kick-off: 09.00, 07.00 GMT)
Teams:
UKZN-Impi: TBC
TUT-Vikings: TBC
Referee: Sindile Ngcese
Wits v Fort Hare
(Rand Stadium, Johannesburg; Kick-off: 15.00, 13.00 GMT)
Teams:
Wits: TBC
Fort Hare: TBC
Referee: Ricus van der Hoven
