Varsity Cup preview: Let the games begin

Now that all the pre-tournament hype has settle down, it is time for the second edition of South African rugby’s latest competition, the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, to begin.

And what better way to start off with a re-run of last year’s drama-filled, thrill-a-minute Final – when defending champions Stellenbosch face runners-up Cape Town University at the famous ‘Green Mile’ – the Groote Schuur fields.

The 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok captain Francois Pienaar has repeatedly stated that one of the key aspects that made Year One the success it was, has been the strength-versus-strength system.

And on Monday it will be that very formula – No.1 against No.2 – that will ensure the season gets off to a cracking start.

The Day One action starts with a tantalising teaser – when the University of the Western Cape (UWC) play Fort Hare, beaten in a two-match promotion-relegation battle by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University late last year. The UWC versus Fort Hare game becomes the first televised Varsity Cup curtain raiser, giving the teams a taste of what it would be like to play in the spotlight.

Ironically NMMU is up next at the same ground, Groote Schuur in Cape Town, where the curtain raiser takes place.

NMMU, determined to avoid the promotion-relegation struggle this year, will be tested by the Free State’s very own rugby nursery, Shimlas (University of the Free State). For both universities it is an opportunity to show if they can compete with the big guns this year.

Despite being competitive in most of their games, neither side really got into their stride and failed to reach the play-offs.

Next up is the repeat of last year’s Final, UCT versus Maties, which takes place at the same time as the game between the University of Johannesburg and the Tswane University of Technology.

While the first three fixtures are all at the ‘Green Mile’, the latter game is being played as part of the double header in Potchefstroom, at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds.

UJ and TUT, also two very powerful teams, would have been disappointed at not reaching the play-offs last year and they too get an early chance to show that they are championship material this year.

The first day’s action is completed when the two beaten semifinalists of 2008, North West University (Pukke) and Pretoria University (Tukkies) face off.

All five games, including the curtain raiser in Cape Town, will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

* For all your latest Varsity Cup news visit the official website: www.varsitycup.co.za

FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International – Week One fixtures:
12.45pm: UWC v Fort Hare – Groote Schuur Rugby Field, Cape Town
2.45pm: Shimlas v NMMU- Groote Schuur Rugby Field, Cape Town
4.45pm: UCT v Maties – Groote Schuur Rugby Field, Cape Town
4.45pm: UJ v TUT – Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds, Potchefstroom
6.45pm: Pukke v Tukkies – Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds, Potchefstroom