Varsity Cup boost for SA Universities side

The South African Universities team has been handed a welcome shot in the arm, with the news that they will be sponsored by the Varsity Cup for their two matches against a Collegiate side from America.

SA Universities will play games against the 2009 Collegiate All-Americans on Wednesday, August 5 and Saturday, August 8 and, now with the backing of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International; this 'all-star' selection can go out there and show just how much talent is available in South African rugby.

The Varsity Cup - which has made such an impact on the local rugby scene since its inception in 2008 - has committed to covering costs via its sponsorship for both these matches, which will be played in Stellenbosch and Cape Town (the latter as a Tri-Nations curtain-raiser at Newlands).

Of the 25 players selected to do duty against American Collegiate team, 23 were involved in the 2009 Varsity Cup, whilst the two Fort Hare players in the squad - Sokana Mokana and Ziniko Dumaphi - would have been involved in promotion/relegation matches in 2008, as well as playing in a curtain-raiser on the opening day of this season's Varsity Cup.

"It was a natural progression for the Varsity Cup to invest in the SA Universities side, as all these players have had a taste of Varsity Cup rugby in one way or another and they now have the opportunity of moving up to the next level," Varsity Cup Chairman Francois Pienaar told varsitycup.co.za.

"From our perspective, providing opportunities to players who deserve them is always a good investment and we're very excited by our involvement in these two fixtures and with the SA Universities team on the whole."

Mervin Green, SA Rugby's manager of youth rugby, added: "The partnership between SA Rugby and the Varsity Cup is taking another giant step forward with this announcement. This partnership, we believe, is crucial in terms of establishing back-up talent to the various provincial structures in South Africa."

Eight Maties players have been named in the 25-man squad and their double Varsity Cup-winning mentor, Chean Roux, will take the coaching reins - and deservedly so.

Roux will be assisted by Tukkies' Freddie Grobler and Fort Hare's Xolofile Dakushe (WP backline coach Robbie Fleck is unavailable due to Currie Cup commitments), with the head coach yet to announce his captain, despite having Maties' Wesley Wilkins and Pukke's Willem van der Wal to choose from.

"To coach a quality team like this is an honour and a challenge," said Roux, who has enjoyed plenty of success as Maties' head coach over the years.

"I'm very excited about the potential of this squad and I think it would be interesting to see how this team would match up against some of the provincial teams in South Africa."

Aside from the eight Stellenbosch players in the squad, UJ and Pukke have both provided four players to the group, UCT three players, Shimlas and Fort Hare two and Tuks and NMMU one player each.

The 2009 Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament - Maties scrumhalf Donald Stevens, Forward of the Tournament - Pukke No.8 Willem van der Wal, and Back of the Tournament - UCT's Therlow Pietersen, have all been included in what is an exciting 25-man SA Universities squad.

The SA Universities squad:

Forwards:
Willem van der Wal (Pukke, No.8)
Jonathan Adendorf (Maties, flank)
Wesley Wilkins (Maties, flank)
Cameron Peverett (Maties, flank)
Sokana Mokana (Fort Hare, loose forward)
Martin Muller (UCT, lock)
Jaco Nepgen (Maties, lock)
Rob Andrew (UJ, lock)
Lourens Adriaanse (Maties, prop)
BG Uys (Pukke, prop)
Jaco Koch (Pukke, prop)
Pierre Hammond (NMMU, prop)
Stoffel Duvenhage (Pukke, hooker)
Edgar Marutlulle (UJ, hooker)

Backs:
Therlow Pietersen (UCT, fullback)
Earl Lewis (UJ, fullback)
Clayton Blommetjies (Tukkies, wing)
Ziniko Dumaphi (Fort Hare, wing)
Morné Jooste (Maties, wing)
Cameron Jacobs (Shimlas, centre)
Paul Bosch (Maties, centre)
Matthew Rosslee (UCT, flyhalf)
André Smith (UJ, flyhalf)
Donald Stevens (Maties, scrumhalf)
Marlin Ruiters (Shimlas, scrumhalf)

SA Universities fixtures (v Collegiate All-Americans):
Wednesday, August 5 - Danie Craven Stadium, 9pm
Saturday, August 8 - Newlands Rugby Stadium, 3pm

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