Day two of the 2021 Varsity Cup will see the University of the Western Cape play against the University of Free State (Shimlas) in the second match of the day. The match will be played at the TUKS rugby stadium @ 17h00.
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.
University of Free State (Shimlas) head coach, Pote Human said that his players have worked really hard during pre-season and are hungry to play rugby again. It’s not going to be easy to play three games in quick succession in a bubble, and in our last bubble, we play both Tuks and Maties.
All the teams will have the same challenge, though, and I think those that suffer the least injuries will do well.”
“We have a young squad, many of whom have previously played for our Young Guns team and the Free State U21 team. There is a lot of talent here and I’m really excited to see what they can do in the Varsity Cup. With most of the games being televised, they can make a name for themselves.”
Rewan Kruger Shimlas Captain said it is the first time that students will get to play rugby again [since March 2020] so every team is so hungry to play in this year’s Varsity Cup.
I think the tournament is wide open and every team will be competitive. I expect Shimlas to have a successful season. As a team, we strive to make a difference and the only way we can do that is if we play good rugby.
Super talented centre Shayne Bolton is the player to watch for the Shimlas. Bolton possesses an excellent skill-set and feel for the game. He can take a gap and create space for a teammate, while he is a hard worker on and off the field.
Bolton played for the Blue Bulls Country Districts at the U18 Academy Week and for Free State in last year’s SA Rugby U21 Championship. FNB Shimlas coach Pote Human believes he has the potential to become a top professional rugby player.
University of the Western Cape's head coach Paul True said that their immediate goal is to stay in the Varsity Cup, as the bottom two teams on the combined 2021-2022 log will be relegated to the Varsity Shield.
Our obvious concern is the tight five as UWC have traditionally been targeted at the set-piece by other universities. "It’s something we have worked on but it won’t be resolved in this campaign, we’re taking a long-term approach to bolstering our tight five."
"We have done as much as we can from coaching and scientific perspectives to prepare the players for this campaign. Player recovery will be important during the tournament and you don’t want to overload players with too much detail in between games.”
“We are very fortunate to have a good group of senior players, including [centre] Lyle Hendricks, [lock] Pieter-Steyl Swanepoel, [hooker] Jacques van Zyl, [prop] Justin Theys and [wing] Brandon de Kock."
"We also have two 19-year-old Western Province-contracted players who will start studying at UWC this year, [hooker] Lukhanyo Vokozela and [prop] Lamla Nunu. We’d like to get more youngsters like them to come to UWC so we can build a sustainable system and programme.”
Pieter-Steyl Swanepoel captain said, "I want us to show everyone the exciting brand and potential of UWC rugby. Going in as underdogs, it’s a priority for us to showcase what we have trained so hard for and to show what the game means to us."
"Due to the challenges of Covid-19, we also expect our team to follow safety guidelines and protocols to ensure everyone’s health is protected and the Varsity Cup can go ahead as planned."
Conwill Conradie, like his Springbok father, Bolla, Conwill Conradie is a quick and elusive scrumhalf with a good pass that will have to be given special attention by his opposition.
“His unpredictability is one of his biggest strengths,” says FNB UWC coach Paul Treu. “He has a wicked step, good spatial awareness and an ability to snipe around the edges."
"He’s one of those players who will create havoc if the opposition doesn’t keep an eye on him.”
Having played for FNB UWC in last year’s FNB Young Guns tournament, Conradie is eager to make his mark in the FNB Varsity Cup. “It’s an honour and privilege to play in the Varsity Cup,” he says. “I’m going to do my best for my team, coaching staff and myself. I just want to follow in the footsteps of the person who inspires me the most – my old man!”
FNB UWC: 15 Gilroy Lee Philander, 14 André Manuel, 13 Aydon Topley, 12 Lyle Hendricks, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Mikyle Vraagom, 9 Branden de Kock, 8 Bradman Grove, 7 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 4 Pieter-Steyl Swanepoel (c), 3 Justin Theys, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Luvo Bazi. Replacements: 16 Jason Alexander, 17 Riaan van der Merwe, 18 Johan Lamprecht, 19 Mauritz Swart, 20 Conwill Conradie, 21 Reece Bocks, 22 Tasriq Mynhardt, 23 Bronlee Mouries.
FNB UFS Shimlas: 15 Cham Zondeki, 14 Jorell Arries, 13 Shayne Bolton, 12 Janco Klinck, 11 Luthando Buthelezi, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger (c), 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Kamohelo Chabana, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Thabang Mahlasi, 4 Pierre Uys, 3 JW Meades, 2 William Moffat, 1 Daniel Wessels. Replacements: 16 Carl Wijburg, 17 Johan Schutte, 18 Henty Beukes, 19 George Rossouw, 20 Uzile Tele, 21 Hlumelo Klaas, 22 JP Duvenage, 23 Luyanda Mkhize.