FNB UWC ended sixth on the 2021 Varsity Cup log and at 20 log points are one of the universities that are in danger to be relegated to the Varsity Shield competition if they end in the two bottom positions on the combined 2021 & 2022 log.
FNB UWC head coach Paul Treu said "We aren’t looking past our first game against Shimlas. Since I took over in 2021, I have encouraged the players to back their skills and to play at a high tempo. We’d like to bring more structure into our game, but we are essentially an opportunity-based team. We played an exciting brand of rugby in 2021 and came within a few points of qualifying for the playoffs. We’ll stay true to that style in 2022, and push for a place in the semis."
"It pleases me as a coach when UWC players are recruited by top unions, franchises and even overseas-based teams. That said, it is tough to lose so many players, and a couple of our players failed to qualify for the tournament because of insufficient academic credits. We do have several exciting player prospects, though, and Therlow Petersen has joined us as an assistant coach. As a player, Therlow won Varsity Cup titles with Maties as well as Ikeys – I don’t think that’s been done before. The players will benefit from his knowledge and experience."
Provisional Squad:
Loosehead Prop: Keon Links, Tomavumgo Msasanure, Juan Ryan.
Hooker: Taliesen Dick, Mauritz Swart, Lukhanyo Vokozela.
Tighthead Prop: Franco Cesar, Andries Engelbrecht, Keanuh Michaels, Riaan van der Merwe.
Lock: Reece Bocks.
Flanker: Taine Booysen, Nicholas Chipange, Jaen-Louis de Lange, Louan de Lange, Bradman Grove, Almore Kuilders, Siddiq Isaacs, Asive Mjoli, Jacques Mostert, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Romuald Ntumba, Angelo Rossouw, Carel van der Merwe.
Eighth Man: Shaine Orderson.
Scrumhalf: Conwill Conradie, Tandile Hoyi, Section Mazantsana.
Flyhalf: Ethan Diston, Mikyle Vraagom.
Centre: Jason Cloete, Lyle Hendricks, Aydon Topley.
Wing: Ridge Gaffley, Will Vraagom, Peter Williams.
Fullback: Tiaan Henecke, Patrick Kotze, Tasriq Mynhardt, Gilroy Lee Philander, Eikan Willemse.