The FNB Steinhoff 2014 Varsity Shield competition is off to a sizzling start, promising to be one of the most exciting tournaments in years. After the first two rounds only two teams remain unbeaten in this year’s competition – Central University of Technology, Free State team, the FNB CUT (Ixias) and FNB TUT (Vikings) from Pretoria. Our “Blue Boys” Ixias had a tough opening match to their 2014 campaign, nosing home in a last minute thriller against the FNB UKZN Impi’s two weeks ago (26-25 to the Ixias). The very same Impi’s, under former All Black John Mitchell’s coaching, were beaten by last year’s wooden spoonests, FNB UFH in Durban this week. FNB UFH beat the home side 17-12. 

The traditional big rivals of FNB CUT, FNB UWC, with former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers as coach, started their campaign well last week against FNB UFH, beating the Alice Boys convincingly by 26-8. However, this week saw the navy shirts from the Western Cape losing their first home match in Bellville against the much improved FNB TUT from north of the Apies River. The visitors recorded a well deserved victory of 34-31 against the FNB UWC. On Monday, 10 February, The Ixias play our second home match of the season, against the current log leaders FNB UWC in Bloemfontein, at 19:00 on the CUT Rugby Stadium (keep up with the matches visit www.cut.ac.za/events/) Forget the two victories CUT had over the UWC last season. The 2014 season already delivered two major upset results! History will count for nothing when these two arch rivals meet in the “clash of the day” on the 10^th. FNB CUT will need to be at their very best against the adventurous navy shirts. Our mobile and strong forwards need to secure enough primary and secondary possession, in order for our own exciting backline players to get into fifth gear. In FNB/Steinhoff style student rugby, the scoring of tries will be vital in securing victories. Effective defense must also ensure that our goal line remains a “no-entry” zone for the visiting “Cape speedsters”. 

In the other match played on February 10^th, FNB TUT hosts FNB UFH in Pretoria. After the first two rounds of matches, the FNB/Steinhoff Varsity Shield log is as follows: FNB UWC            : 6 points (played 2 matches) FNB TUT              : 5 points (1 match) FNB CUT              : 4 points (1 match) FNB UFH              : 4 points (2 matches) FNB UKZN           : 2 points (2 matches) 

Story by: Mr Carel Korff   

FNB CUT Ixias player Johan van Schalkwyk.