Crouse to get things started

The referees for the opening round of the third installment of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International have been announced, with Ben Crouse set to officiate the first match of the 2010 tournament on Monday, February 1.

Crouse (pictured, far right) will be the man in the middle for the Shimlas v UCT battle in Port Elizabeth, with Mlungiseli Mdashe taking charge of the next match in PE - the encounter between the home side, NMMU, and the defending champion Maties.

In Pretoria, Tiaan Jonker will referee the TUT-UJ clash at the LC de Villiers Stadium at 4.30pm, followed by the highly-anticipated fixture between double semifinalists, Tuks (the home team) and Pukke at 6.30pm. Archie Sehlako - of KwaZulu-Natal - will handle that match.

All matches in Round One will be televised, live, on SuperSport.

Varsity Cup referees - Round One, February 1:

FNB Shimlas v FNB UCT, Xerox NMMU Stadium
Kick-off: 2.30pm
Referee: Ben Crouse (Blue Bulls)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen
Assessor: Jacques Hugo

FNB NMMU v FNB Maties, Xerox NMMU Stadium
Kick-off: 4.30pm
Referee: Mlungiseli Mdashe (Valke)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen
Assessor: Jacques Hugo

FNB TUT v FNB UJ, Tuks Rugby Stadium
Kick-off: 4.30pm
Referee: Tiaan Jonker (Lions)
Assessor: Lusanda Menze

FNB Tukkies v FNB Pukke, Tuks Rugby Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Archie Sehlako (KZN)
Television match official: JC Fortuin
Assessor: Lusanda Menze