Local Clubs are taking a break from the United Rugby Championship, however, this does not mean that there will be no action during the coming week. The Varsity Cup kicks off today while the fourth round of the Carling Currie Cup will be played on Friday and Saturday.
Today, Monday 15/02/2022, excitement will start boiling at the universities as the 2022 Varsity Cup start at several universities countrywide.
17h00 - FNB NWU Eagles vs FNB Ikeys
Both teams played in the 2021 semi-finals while the Ikeys lost to TUKS in the finals. Potchefstroom is no easy place to travel to and the Eagles should test the Ikeys resolve to improve on their 2021 season.
19h00 - FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB Maties
Normally this would be the highlight of the season and seen by many as the early "final" of the Varsity Cup. Both teams lost several players to rugby unions and will be looking to start the season on a positive note. The Maties' new head coach Norman Jordaan will also want to make a good first impression.
19h00 - FNB UWC vs FNB UFS
Both teams are "candidates" to be relegated after this years' competition and a win will go a long way in avoiding it. FNB UWC currently has 20 log points while the Shimlas have 18 points.
The Shimlas disappointed in 2021 but with new head coach Andre Tredoux returning to his alma mater the excitement in Bloemfontein is apparently boiling over.
19h00 - FNB Wits vs FNB Madibaz
Again two of the front runners of operation relegation faces each other in Johannesburg tonight. Withs have 17 points while the Madibaz, who can not afford to lose is sitting on 5 points.
The Madibaz also have a new head coach in David Manuel, who replaced Andre Tredoux at the end of the 20211 season.
19h00 - FNB CUT vs FNB UJ
CUT who impressed in the first half of the 2021 Varsity Cup before player depth cost them momentum. CUT's head coach Pieter Bergh was appointed as the new head coach of the Tafel Lager Griquas and is replaced by ex Springbok Braam van Straten.
UJ who is currently second from the bottom with 15 log points also appointed Jonathan Mokuena on a short term deal to try and avoid relegation. Mokuena did coach FNB NWU Eagles to Varsity Cup glory in 2016 but will find 2022 a lot more difficult to survive.
Some exciting matches to be played this coming week
The 2022 Carling Currie Cup resumes this weekend after a rest of two weeks with the Vodacom Bulls enjoying a bye.
18/02/2022 - @ 19h00 - Tafel Lager Griquas vs DHL Western Province
Griquas will be on a high after convincingly beating the Pumas in their last match and will look to continue their form against Western Province.
The impact that newly signed Simon Westraad will add some extra grunt up front and we should see a strong scrumming Griquas trying to maul the visitors into submission.
19/02/2022 - @ 14h30 - Airlink Pumas vs Toyota Cheetahs
The Pumas will be looking to correct their discipline problems against a rampant and unbeaten Cheetahs in Nelspruit on Saturday.
It is well known that Pumas head coach targets his home games at the Mbombela Stadium and Saturday will be a big test for the Cheetahs. The Pumas should target their visitors upfront in order to starve the potent backline of the Cheetahs.
19/02/2022 - @ 17h00 - Sigma Lions vs Cell C Sharks
Cell C Sharks is still unbeaten and will travel to Johannesburg full of confidence to play the Lions who will still be looking for their first win. The Lions could just surprise if their "juniors" start to play according to their talent.