Day two of the 2021 Varsity Cup will see NWU Eagles play against FNB Madibaz in the first match of the day. The match will be played at the TUKS rugby stadium @ 15h00.
This year, the FNB Varsity Cup and the FNB Varsity Shield will take place inside a secure bio-bubble in Pretoria from 4 April to 24 May. With the majority of matches set to take place at Tuks Stadium and no fans in attendance, this year’s stadium will feature something extra for FNB Varsity Cup fans watching live on SuperSport.
The North-West University (Eagles) head coach Andre Pretorius said that they are extremely grateful to Varsity Cup and SA Rugby for making this year’s tournament happen.
We will just be happy to be on the field again. Players won’t take any game for granted after what happened last year. When things get tough on the training field, the guys remember that they could always be doing online “training”.
This year’s tournament format will be challenging for players and coaches, and I think the teams that adapt the quickest to it – and accept it for what it is – will do the best.”
“We’ve lost [tighthead prop] Matimu Manganyi to Maties and [centre] Evardi Boshoff to UCT, but the guys we have from last year have gained valuable experience, even though we only played five matches.
Lincoln Daniels NWU Captain said that this Varsity Cup is going to be very different from what they are used to. "We are grateful for the opportunity to play again after more than a year. We just want to do our best and implement what we have prepared."
NWU Player Conan le Fleur is the player to watch in the Potchefstroom side. Le Fleur captained Free State in last year’s SA Rugby U21 Championship. The midfielder was one of the stars of the tournament, winning the Free State’s U21 Player of the Year award.
“He’s a complete rugby player. He has excellent skills, a good kicking game, is very physical and has that X-factor,” says FNB NWU Eagles coach and former Springbok flyhalf André Pretorius. “I played with [Wallabies back] James O’Connor when I was at the Western Force and regarded him as the most complete player I had seen. Conan is in the same category.”
Andre Tredoux, head coach of the Madibaz said that their guys are really keen to get back onto the field having not played rugby for a year.
"It is what they love doing, so they are excited to get going and make the step up from the Varsity Shield to the Varsity Cup. We’ve had to look hard at our fitness levels and the boys have worked really hard."
"We’re South Africans, so we want to win, but we also have realistic expectations. We want to be as competitive as possible in this year’s competition.”
“We have lost a few players from last season, including [fullback] Luvo Claassen, who is currently playing for the Eastern Province Elephants.
Our captain for this season is Luyolo Dapula, who was with the Southern Kings. He is a strapping 1.92m lock who can also play blindside flank, so he’s a great addition for us. [Centre] Aya Oliphant and [hooker] Temba Boltina will also be part of the leadership group.”
Madibaz captain Luyolo Dapula said as the format has changed because of Covid-19 it’s going to be very interesting to see what happens. There are a lot of games in a short period of time, so the depth of squads will be tested.
A player to watch is Aya Oliphant Oliphant. He can play both inside and outside centre, but is expected to start this year’s FNB Varsity Cup in the FNB Madibaz’s No 13 jersey.
He is an explosive player with senior rugby experience, having represented the Cheetahs in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
“Aya has an eye for a gap and is a very good playmaker,” says Madibaz coach André Tredoux. The 23-year-old is also a solid defender who doesn’t shy away from the midfield physicality.
FNB NWU Eagles – 15 Shane van Rooyen, 14 Keano Windvogel, 13 Lincoln Daniels, 12 Conan Le Fleur, 11 Andries van Niekerk, 10 Theodor Donges, 9 Caleb Louw, 8 André Fouché, 7 Sphephelo Mabuza, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 Jeandré Leonard, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Komape Moloto, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Ruben du Plessis. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Abraham Baumann, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Wihan Nel, 20 Ruben Dreyer, 21 Riaan Genis, 22 Keagan Fortune, 23 Meyer Kriel.
FNB Madibaz – 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Khakalethu Bophi, 13 Aya Oliphant, 12 Johan Lombard, 11 Kholiwe Konza, 10 Christiaan Schutte, 9 Yomelela Keswa, 8 Siyamthanda Jwacu, 7 Jaco van der Walt, 6 Arnouw Nel, 5 Hardus van Eeden, 4 Luyolo Dapula (c), 3 Le-Kleu Stokes, 2 Tembekile Boltina, 1 Hugo Pienaar. Replacements: 16 Duan du Plessis, 17 Robert Lyons, 18 Ruan Jonker, 19 Dylan Halgreen, 20 Laken Gray, 21 Gavin Mills, 22 Chadwyn November, 23 Kyle Cyster.