Preview: Varsity Shield, Round Three
The Impi have been dominant in the competition this far, getting past Wits and UWC in the first two rounds of the competition. Fort Hare enjoyed some time off as they were not in action in Round Two, following their opening round defeat to UWC in Alice in the opening round.
The only other match in the round sees last-placed TUT-Vikings welcome third-placed UWC to Johannesburg. The Vikings will surely put in a better performance than what they did in the second round - their first of the campaign - that saw them suffer a hefty 0-53 loss to Wits.
UWC remain high on confidence despite going down 13-24 to the Impi in Cape Town in Round Two. Victory for the Cape side will go a long way to keeping them in touch with the Impi and Wits, who sit in first and second place respectively.
Wits, who went down to the Impi in the opening round and gave TUT the thrashing in Round Two, will enjoy the week off.
We look at all Monday's action!
UKZN-Impi v Fort Hare
(Pietermaritzburg - Kick-off: 18.30)
Teams:
UKZN-Impi: 15 Morne Joubert, 14 S'busiso Nkosi, 13 Grant Rattray, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Thobekani Buthelezi, 10 Tristan Tedder, 9 Willem Badenhorst, 8 Njabulo Zondi, 7 Kerron van Vuuren, 6 Sanele Malwane, 5 Adam Wessels, 4 Rikus Zwart, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Mikyle Webster (captain), 1 Andrew Acton.
Replacements: 16 Erich Kankowski, 17 Pierre van der Walt, 18 Jean Droste, 19 Michael Meyer, 20 Langelihle Shange, 21 Siphathisene Dube, 22 Tristan Blewett, 23 Lindokuhle Radebe.
Fort Hare: 15 Akhona Matutu, 14 Aziyena Mandaba, 13 Luyolo Batshise, 12 Athiphila Mlotywa, 11 Asiphe Fihla, 10 Siviwe Bisset, 9 Qhama Masiza, 8 Philisani Ncoko, 7 Zanoxolo Qwele, 6 Siphesihle Punguzwa, 5 Lwando Ntetha, 4 Sibusiso Sityebi, 3 Olwethu Mputla, 2 Justin Antonie, 1 Bulelani Mdodana.
Replacements: 16 Mzingabantu Vitsha, 17 Lusindiso Nkomo, 18 Athenkosi Makeleni, 19 Malusi Vula, 20 Elandre Sias, 21 Siphosethu Tom, 22 Sibongile Novuka, 23 Lulamile Kama.
Referee: Vusi Msibi
TUT v UWC
(Pretoria - Kick-off: 18.30)
Teams:
TUT-Vikings: 15 Lisa Banzi, 14 Tshepo Nyathi, 13 Ian Truter, 12 Dumsani Mthethwa, 11 Litha Vumisa, 10 Lukas van Zyl, 9 Shawn Jaards, 8 Claude Johannes, 7 George Letshuma, 6 Dalingcebo Maduna, 5 William Thomson, 4 Armand Marshall, 3 Jonty Voogt, 2 Christo Lategan, 1 Ratsaka Modjadji.
Replacements: 16 Wessel Jordaan, 17 Jacob Nelson, 18 Cornelius van Rooyen, 19 Daniel de Villiers, 20 Boikanyo Matlhoko, 21 Frank Abrahams, 22 Arno Brits.
UWC: 15 Darian Hock, 14 Minenhle Mthethwa, 13 Courtney Cupido, 12 Ruan Mostert, 11 Byron Burgess, 10 Melikhaya Wana, 9 Clayton Daniels, 8 Jose Julies, 7 Matthew le Roux, 6 Philbrey Joseph, 5 Brandon Valentyn, 4 Stuart Austin, 3 Kelvin de Bruyn, 2 Peter Wanjiru, 1 Wayrin Losper.
Replacements: 16 Branden Beukman, 17 Robin Paulse, 18 Matthew Faught, 19 Jeremy Papier, 20 Matthew Nortje, 21 Dean Herbert, 22 Yaasien Railoun, 23 Tahriq Allen.
Referee: Jaco Pretorius