Preview: Varsity Shield, Round One
Williams will have a tricky start to his tenure as UWC's head coach when they travel to Alice to face the University of Fort Hare. Williams took over the reigns from former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and is looking to take the Bellville-based students into the Cup competition.
Bosch, who signed a lucrative deal to join the Sharks while he was still a pupil at Grey High, is expected to live up to all the hype surrounding him as he runs out for defending champions UKZN-Impi against last year's losing finalists Wits.
The 18-year-old was the talk of the town in the 2014 Craven Week in Middelburg. His performance led him to being chosen in the SA Schools side where he played at fullback and flyhalf. Besides the hype, Bosch will have massive shoes to fill as he replaces current Sharks flyhalf Innocent Radebe.
Radebe who stole the show in the 2015 Shield final as he controlled the pace of the match like a seasoned professional. His exploits earned him a call up to the Junior Springboks, however, injury ruled him out of contention for a spot in the World Cup squad.
The Impi claimed the Shield title with a 29-24 victory over Wits in Johannesburg. Wits ended the round-robin phase of the competition in first place, winning six matches and claiming two draws. UKZN finished runners up after their eight matches, with six victories and two losses.
The other match of the day sees Williams' UWC face a tricky trip to Alice to face Fort Hare, who also has a new coach. Elliot Fana, who had been at the helm for a number of years has been replaced by Lumumba Currie.
Fort Hare will want to turn things around in this campaign after ending the 2015 season with just two victories from their eight matches, finishing second-last on the log. UWC, on the other hand, were one match away from claiming a spot in the final but fell at the final hurdle to finish four point off the Impi.
We look at the Round One fixtures!
UKZN-Impi v Wits
(Pietermaritzburg – Kick-off: 16.45, 14.45 GMT)
Teams:
UKZN-Impi: 15 Morne Joubert, 14 S'busiso Nkosi, 13 Grant Rattray, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Thobekani Bhuthelezi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaywinn Juries, 8 Adam Wessels, 7 Zwela Zondi, 6 Kerron van Vuuren, 5 Jean Droste, 4 Rikus Zwart, 3 Ntandoyenkosi Mpofana, 2 Mikyle Webster, 1 John-Hubert Meyer.
Replacements: 16 Elrich Konkowski, 17 Andrew Acton, 18 Christiaan van der Merwe, 19 Michael Meyer, 20 Langelihle Shange, 21 Tristan Tedder, 22 Tristan Blewett, 23 Lindokuhle Radebe.
Wits: 15 AJ van Blerk, 14 Kwanele Ngema, 13 Joshua Jarvis, 12 Wade Worthington, 11 Thato Marubela, 10 Warren Gilbert, 9 Luxolo Ntsepe, 8 Aya Mdudi, 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 Constant Beckerling, 20 Ruan Cloete, 21 Kyle Weseman, 22 Sicelo Champion, 23 Brandon Palmer.
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Marius Jonker
Fort Hare v UWC
(East London – Kick-off: 19.00, 17.00 GMT)
Teams:
Fort Hare: 15 Akhona Matutu, 14 Aziyena Mandaba, 13 Luyolo Batshise, 12 Athiphila Mlotywa, 11 Asiphe Fihla, 10 Siviwe Bisset, 9 Qhama Masiza, 8 Philisani Ncoko, 7 Zanoxolo Qwele, 6 Siphesihle Phunguzwa, 5 Lwando Ntetha, 4 Sibusiso Sityebi, 3 Olwethu Mputla, 2 Mzingabantu Vitsha, 1 Lusindiso Nkomo.
Replacements: 16 Justin Antonie, 17 Lukho Jongizulu, 18 Athenkosi Makeleni, 19 Malusi Vula, 20 Alandre Sias, 21 Misubukhosi Pieenar, 22 Ntsika Kula, 23 Lulamile Kama.
UWC: 15 Marcus Kleinbooi, 14 Byron Burgess, 13 Courtney Cupido, 12 Ruan Mostert, 11 Wilbre van Wyk, 10 Aubrey Wana, 9 Matthew Nortje, 8 Darren Luiters, 7 Jose Julies, 6 Philbrey Joseph, 5 Matthew le Roux, 4 Brandon Valentyn, 3 Tahriq Allen, 2 Brandon-Lee Beukman, 1 Wayron Losper.
Replacements: 16 Peter Wanjiru, 17 Kelvin de Bruyn, 18 Alwyn Carstens, 19 Matthew Faught, 20 Jason Marcus, 21 Minenhle Mthethwa, 22 Dean Herbert, 23 Keenan Douw.
Referee: Sindile Ngcese
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Christie du Preez
