The ever popular Varsity Cup is in our midst as the 2015 season begins in just under a week.
There are some changes to how things will be conducted this year. Firstly, the scoring system has been altered slightly. While tries will continue to be worth five points, conversions with count three points while penalties and drop goals with each count two.
There will be two on-field referees officiating each game and there will be a new feature on the props’ jerseys, special gripping fabric panels along the sides that will hopefully ensure better binding and reduce the number of collapsing scrums which lead to unnecessary time wastage.
Lastly, the white card system will be reintroduced this year. Similar to the DRS system in cricket, each coach and captain will get the opportunity to review any incident and have it looked into. They can either be used to reverse incorrect decisions or refer incidents that the referees might have missed. There is one referral per half and if it is successful, they will keep them while unsuccessful reviews are lost.
In terms of the teams, each will be looking to overthrow defending champions UCT Ikey Tigers once the tournament begins. UJ captain Kobus Porter is confident in his team’s ability to improve on last year’s 7th position and hopes their new approach to play more running rugby with less kicking involved will help them avoid playing a relegation game again this year.
UFS Shimlas newly appointed coach, former Springboks utility back Franco Smith, will look to take each game as it comes in his fight to build a team that will be successful in the long run while providing entertaining rugby that will bring in the home spectators. Shimlas finished 5th in last year’s tournament, just missing out on qualification for the semi-finals.
Stellenbosch Maties, who are known for being a physically strong team, need to cash-in on their successful pre-season campaign to boost their mental game which will hopefully allow them to take their 4th varsity cup win and keep them as the most successful team in the tournaments history.
NMMU Madibaz coach, David Maidza, is hoping his young team will use their passion and determination to push them up the log in their battle for the top. Remaining realistic, selecting a completely young team is risky and it may take two or three seasons to develop their squad into winning material.
Newly promoted CUT Ixias, who won the 2014 Varsity Shield will be replacing Wits in the Cup competition this year. Wits were unable to record a single win in 2014 and were automatically demoted to the Shield league by finishing last on the log.
The opening round of the Varsity Cup (9 February 2015) will see all eight teams in action. Probably the biggest game of the day will be the Western Cape derby between defending champions UCT Ikey Tigers and Maties.
Fixtures
NWU Pukke v NMMU Madibaz
UCT Ikey Tigers v Maties
UFS Shimlas v UP Tuks
CUT Ixias v UJ Rugby Club
Teams
Maties
NMMU Madibaz
UCT Ikey Tigers
UFS Shimlas
UJ Rugby Club
UP Tuks
CUT Ixias
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