The FNB Varsity Shield kicks off on Friday, 4 March and fans are in for a treat as most matches will be broadcast on SuperSport.
The format of the FNB Varsity Shield tournament will differ slightly from FNB Varsity Cup, as rounds one to six will be played over three bumper weekends at select venues, with all the action kicking off at Rhodes University.
In the first of three bumper weekends, defending champions FNB CPUT will play FNB Rhodes at Rhodes Great Field (19:00 kick-off), while 2015 FNB Varsity Shield winners the FNB UKZN Impi face a spirited FNB WSU All Blacks onslaught at 17:00. The earlier kick-off, at 15:00, sees the FNB UFH Blues play the FNB TUT Vikings, with FNB DUT having a bye on day one.
‘The return of FNB Varsity Cup to the universities has been received really well, and through our amazing and excellent partnership with SuperSport every single match of the first six rounds of the Varsity Shield competition will be broadcast live,’ said Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi, Varsity Cup Tournament Manager. ‘We’re equally excited to welcome fans back in the stadiums and at our bumper weekends.’
At the end of the 2022 season, the team at the bottom of the combined 2021-2022 FNB Varsity Shield log will be relegated from the tournament altogether. The 2023 FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield titles will both be contested by eight teams.
‘FNB CPUT have held the trophy since 2019, with 2020 being an incomplete season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are expecting all seven FNB Varsity Shield teams to bring their A-game throughout the competition,' Nesi continued. 'The FNB Varsity Shield has always prioritised innovation, pushing the boundaries and changing the lives of those who form part of the community.'
At the end of the round-robin phase, the top four teams on the log will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be played on 14 April, with the final on 22 April.
Recent Posts
- Autumn Series – Ireland’s Ill-Discipline Deny Revenge Against The All Blacks
- Outgoing Tour – Scotland Name Team To Host Springboks
- Outgoing Tour – Springboks Shock With Team Named To Face Scotland
- Springbok Women Sevens – “Job Is Not Done Yet” – Mathrin Simmers
- Schools – Nelspruit High School Looking For New “Rugby Specialist”
- Currie Cup – 2024 Audience Soars Despite Trends
- Schools – A Few Exciting Surprises At KES 2025 Easter Festival
- World Rugby Rankings – Springboks Need The All Blacks To Reclaim “Best In The World” Title
- Schools – Hoër Landbouskool Marlow Appoints Head Of Rugby
- Schools – Monnas Appoints Ex “Wit Bul” As Head Of Rugby
- Bulls Daisies – Six Players Bid Farewell By Mutual Consent
- Outgoing Tour – Jean Kleyn Replaces Injured Ruan Nortje
- HSBC Dubai 7s – Fixtures Released, Can Blitzboks Secure Fourth Title In A Row?
- Outgoing Tour – “I Have Always Made Fun Of Being A ‘Universal Plug'”- Jordan Hendrikse
- Outgoing Tour – “We Are Really Looking Forward To The Weekend” – Makazole Mapimpi