Ref feared 'drowning factor' in Bloem derby
The storm proved too much and referee Rasta Rasivhenge had no choice but to cancel the encounter – citing 'players safety' as his main concern.
"After the assessment, we decided that for the players' safety it was best to abandon the match," Rasivhenge said.
"In [heavy rain] conditions like this, we are fearful of the drowning factor and the increased risk of injuries.
"However, the drowning factor played the crucial part in the abandonment of the match."
The referee further explained there are other factors that could cause the postponement of a match.
"We usually call off a match if there is a fear of a player being struck by lighting. Or if there are rocks and stones on the pitch. Obviously, you can't expect to play in that conditions.
"So it is very important that we look after the players' safety," he added.
The game is rescheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 21. With the kick-off scheduled at 13.00 (11.00 GMT) at a venue still to be determined.
UPDATE: the game has been rescheduled to tomorrow (21 Feb) with a provisional kick-off time of 1pm. Venue TBC. https://t.co/vW9I2L14BD
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) February 20, 2017
Teams:
CUT-Ixias: 15 Darren Adonis, 14 Ruan Wasserman, 13 Waldo Putter, 12 Louis Nel, 11 Olwethu Ndakisa, 10 Martin Jacobs, 9 Ruben Heymans, 8 Stefan Kruger, 7 Cornelius van Niekerk, 6 Dean Rossouw, 5 Pieter Venter, 4 Kian Skippers, 3 Hendrik Smit, 2 Stefan Jacobs, 1 Jean Volkwyn.
Replacements: 16 Andries Olivier, 17 Stefan van Schalkwyk, 18 Kyle Ess, 19 Mosoeu Maruping, 20 Dian Dry, 21 Dean Jacobs, 22 Denver Kleu, 23 Brendan Verster.
Shimlas: 15 Sechaba Motsoela, 14 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 13 Lihleli Xoli, 12 Stephan Janse van Rensburg (captain), 11 Frederick Mason, 10 Nicholas Naude, 9 Dian Badenhorst, 8 Wilhelm Kotzenberg, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Neil Claassen, 4 Raymond Woest, 3 Cornelius Kramer, 2 Hanno Snyman, 1 Kwenzokuhle Blose.
Replacements: 16 Albrecht Steyn, 17 Johan Kotze, 18 Thabisdo Msiza, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Musa Mahlasela, 21 Albertus Pretorius, 22 Vuyani Maqina, 23 Niell Stannard.
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: JJ Wagner
