FNB UJ vs FNB CUT Ixias at UJ Rugby Stadium, 16:45
With a good start to its season thus far, FNB UJ is hoping to make it three out of three when its tackles FNB CUT in the third round of the 2016 FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, at UJ Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday, 22 February. A victory on Monday will see FNB UJ reach double figures in points on the log standings, and ascend up the table for playoff spots. Standing in their way is the FNB CUT side, which won its first Varsity Cup match last week. The team has the biggest deficit in terms of points difference in the division. However, FNB UJ coach Werner Janse van Rensburg feels that FNB CUT is no walkover.
FNB CUT Ixias may still be riding on a cloud after its shock win over FNB UCT, but the rampant FNB UJ will be a completely different kettle of fish waiting in Johannesburg. FNB UJ is one of three Varsity Cup sides still unbeaten this season, lying third on the log with eight league points. After FNB CUT’s win over FNB UCT last Monday, the Ixias are fifth on the log (four points) after the first two rounds of action, and would dearly love to upset the home side in Joburg in Round Three.
FNB UFS Shimlas vs FNB NMMU Madibaz at Shimla Park, 18:30
The defending champions of the Varsity Cup will be confident approaching their first home game of the season in Bloemfontein, after they won two matches away from home, showing character against FNB Tuks and the FNB Ikey Tigers. FNB Shimlas will be playing against the FNB Madibaz on Monday in their third Varsity Cup clash. FNB Shimlas is currently second on the Varsity Cup log on nine points, one point behind the FNB Maties team.
Meanwhile, FNB NMMU Madibaz is targeting an away win against the in-form FNB Shimlas in the third round of the Varsity Cup, after two heart-breaking losses in the first two rounds of the competitions.
FNB UCT vs FNB NWU-Pukke at UCT Rugby Fields, 18:30
The FNB Ikey Tigers are still in search of their first Varsity Cup win this season and have made five changes to the team that started their previous match against FNB CUT. The most noticeable exclusion from the team is captain Guy Alexander, who will not be able to play on Monday because of a concussion he suffered. In steps Jade Kriel, ready to fill the role of captain for the match against FNB NWU-Pukke.
FNB NWU-Pukke has licked its wounds and put its devastating loss against FNB UJ behind it, as members travel to Cape Town to stare down the eye of the Ikey Tiger. The loss against the boys from Joburg could have been avoided, although the lessons learnt may yet prove invaluable.
Coach Jonathan Mokuena has made only two changes to the starting lineup, one in the backs and one in the forwards. Schalk Hugo starts in the place of Barend Janse van Rensburg at flyhalf. The other change to the starting lineup is Joe Smith, who replaces Mashudu Mafela in the front row. There is only one replacement on the bench with Eswyn Heyns replacing AK Nel.
FNB Maties vs FNB Tuks at Danie Craven Stadium, 19:00
It is one of the biggest rivalries in the Varsity Cup. Commonly known as the ‘North vs South’ derby outside university quarters, when Western Province plays the Blue Bulls, the clash between the FNB Maties and the FNB UP-Tuks has the same ‘North vs South’ derby feel in the Varsity Cup, since the inaugural year of this magnificent tournament. The teams might sit at complete opposite sides of the standings, but on Monday evening both sides will be on the same level when they meet at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
FNB Tuks has played two really tough matches at home to FNB Pukke and FNB Shimlas, losing both, although the team would have been gutted, letting a 43-17 lead slip against the side from Bloemfontein. The FNB Maties recorded two bonus-point victories in their first two matches against the FNB CUT and FNB NMMU respectively. Maties is booming with confidence after its fine start to the tournament but will not underestimate the side from Pretoria. As the players have shown in the past, they possess championship qualities. It’s only a matter of time before those shine through.
FNB UP-Tuks have all to play for against FNB Maties as it tries to claw its way back from two home defeats in the opening rounds of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. The match is a mouth-watering one as top-of-the-table FNB Maties will look to continue their unbeaten run while FNB Tuks seeks its first win in 2016. Two-time champions FNB UP-Tuks is a proud team and its poor run of form will be a definite bee in its bonnet.
