Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
Our panel discusses the first day's two matches that were played at the Tuks stadium. We identify several outstanding players and are excited to follow the Varsity Cup/Shield Tournament.
We state in no uncertain way that the rugby at UJ is in serious trouble. After losing all five of their matches in last year’s FNB Varsity Cup, FNB UJ were hoping to make a winning start to the 2021 tournament. However, it was FNB CUT Ixias who made an early statement with a six-try, bonus-point win (46-13). UJ are completely out of their depth in this competition while the growth at CUT has to be admitted. CUT is going to cause a few major upsets in this tournament.
FNB UP-TUKS powerful and direct play overpowered their opponents which showed in the second half when they switched gears to record a bonus-point win against FNB Wits (48-25). FNB Wits made several mistakes at crucial stages of the attack which not only cost them points but also momentum.
Listen as we discuss the teams as well as the outstanding players.
Several players impressed with TUKS fullback Alex-Zander du Plessis and CUT's loosie Johannes Terblanche our pick of the day. The players that impressed is in bold.
FNB UP-Tuks – 15 Alex-Zander du Plessis, 14 Johannes Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe (co-c), 12 Louis van der Schyff, 11 Enrique Oranje, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Clyde Lewis, 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout (co-c), 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Lindokuhle Luthuli, 5 Thomas Meyer, 4 Mihlali Stamper, 3 Etienne Janeke, 2 Llewellyn Classen, 1 Cebolenkosi Dlamini. Replacements: 16 Werner Fourie, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 Damien Swartz, 19 Stephan Smit, 20 Orateng Koikanyang, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Wian van Niekerk, 23 Jaylen James.
FNB Wits – 15 Jimmy Mpailane, 14 Wian de Lange, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Yanga Hlalu, 11 Sthsaba Mqhatu, 10 Christian Humphries, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Cal Smid, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Constant Beckerling, 5 William Thomson, 4 Kevin du Randt, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Morné Brandon, 1 Jason Cloete. Replacements: 16 Justin Brandon, 17 Bhekisa Shongwe, 18 Ebot Buma, 19 Junior White, 20 Phillip Krause, 21 Runaldo Pedro, 22 Kurt Webster, 23 Ngia Selengbe.
FNB CUT: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Tsepo Malumane, 13 Niell Stannard, 12 Heino Bezuidenhout, 11 Ricoman Titus, 10 Charles Williams, 9 Zinedine Booysen, 8 Ulrich Stander, 7 Luvuyo Ndevu (c), 6 Johannes Terblanche, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Brendon Fortuin, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Andile Mfazwe, 17 Raynard Esterhuizen, 18 Tebogo Masemola, 19 Bennett Nortje, 20 Hardus Nel, 21 Xander Botha, 22 Jandré de Beer, 23 Emilio Adonis.
FNB UJ – 15 Boldwun Hansen, 14 Tyreeq February, 13 Musawenkosi Tshabalala, 12 Boitumelo Tsatsane, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jonathan Viljoen, 9 Mpho Kubheka, 8 Franco Schutte, 7 Siyabonga Masuku, 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 5 Philip Apea-Adu, 4 Kwagga van Niekerk (c), 3 Chergin Fillies, 2 Pierre Rabie, 1 Nkosikhona Masuku. Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Kayden Kiewit, 18 Coenrad Vrey, 19 Brendon Pawson, 20 Lunga Ncube, 21 Jurich Claasens, 22 Indiphile Tyeda, 23 Enrique Franks.
