2015 Varsity Shield

Last updated

2015 Varsity Shield
Countries South Africa
Date2 February – 6 April 2015
Champions UKZN Impi (1st title)
Runners-up Wits
PromotedNone
Matches played21
Tries scored173
(average 8.2 per match)
Top point scorerBrandan Hewitt (133)
Top try scorer James Verity-Amm (11)
  2014
2016  

The 2015 Varsity Shield was contested from 2 February to 6 April 2015. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the fifth season of the Varsity Shield, an annual second-tier inter-university rugby union competition featuring five South African universities.

Contents

The tournament was won by UKZN Impi for the first time; they beat Wits 29–24 in the final played on 6 April 2015. No team was promoted to the top-tier Varsity Cup competition for 2016.

Competition rules and information

There were five participating universities in the 2015 Varsity Shield. These teams played each other twice over the course of the season, once at home and once away.

Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top two teams qualified for the title play-offs. The team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished second.

There was no promotion/relegation between the Varsity Cup and the Varsity Shield at the end of 2015.

The 2015 Varsity Shield used a different scoring system than the common scoring system. Tries were worth five points as usual, but conversions were worth three points instead of two, while penalties and drop goals were only worth two points instead of three. [1]

Teams

South Africa adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
UWC
Location of teams in the 2015 Varsity Shield

The following teams took part in the 2015 Varsity Shield competition:

2015 Varsity Shield teams
Team nameUniversityStadium
TUT Vikings Tshwane University of Technology TUT Stadium , Pretoria
UFH Blues University of Fort Hare Davidson Rugby Field , Alice
UKZN Impi University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College Rugby Stadium , Durban
Peter Booysen Sports Park , Pietermaritzburg
UWC University of the Western Cape UWC Sport Stadium , Cape Town
Wits University of the WitwatersrandWits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg

Standings

The final league standings for the 2015 Varsity Shield were: [2]

2015 Varsity Shield standings
PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
1 Wits 8620407162+24555237035
2 UKZN Impi 8602273165+10839234028
3 UWC 8422259165+9438234024
4 UFH Blues 8107124341–21716492017
5 TUT Vikings 8107154384–2302353217

Round-by-round

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:

Team Progression – 2015 Varsity Shield
TeamR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10Final
Wits 0
(3rd)
5
(2nd)
10
(1st)
15
(1st)
18
(1st)
18
(1st)
23
(1st)
28
(1st)
33
(1st)
35
(1st)
Lost
UKZN Impi 4
(2nd)
9
(1st)
9
(2nd)
9
(2nd)
13
(2nd)
17
(2nd)
22
(2nd)
23
(2nd)
23
(2nd)
28
(2nd)
Won
UWC 0
(5th)
0
(4th)
4
(4th)
9
(3rd)
12
(3rd)
12
(3rd)
12
(3rd)
17
(3rd)
22
(3rd)
24
(3rd)
UFH Blues 5
(1st)
5
(3rd)
5
(3rd)
6
(4th)
6
(4th)
11
(4th)
11
(4th)
11
(4th)
11
(4th)
11
(4th)
TUT Vikings 0
(3rd)
0
(5th)
1
(5th)
2
(5th)
2
(5th)
2
(5th)
3
(5th)
3
(5th)
3
(5th)
3
(5th)
Key:windrawlossbye

Fixtures

The 2015 Varsity Shield fixtures were released as follows:

Round one

The TUT Vikings hooker and captain Hamish Herd scored two tries to help his side to a 21–16 victory over UFH Blues in Pretoria to initially end the round in second spot. However, this result was later expunged and the fixture was awarded as a win to UFH Blues, with a scoreline of 0–0. This meant that UFH Blues moved into topped the log after Round One. The UKZN Impi moved into second spot on the log following a 16–5 victory over UWC in Cape Town, with fly-half Inny Radebe scoring a try and two conversions for the away side, ahead of joint-third sides TUT Vikings and newly relegated Wits who had a bye in this round. UWC were bottom of the log after the first round. [3]

2 February 2015 UWC 5–16 UKZN Impi UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
16:45Try: Gavian Cloete Ru ball.svg 56'
Con: Quaid Langeveldt (0/1)
Report [4]
Scoreboard [5]
Try: Marius Louw Ru ball.svg 31'
Inny Radebe Ru ball.svg 54'
Con: Inny Radebe Rugby penalty.svg 32', 55' (2/2)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
2 February 2015 TUT Vikings 21–16 UFH Blues TUT Stadium, Pretoria  
19:00Try: Hamish Herd Ru ball.svg 9', 42'
Vian Riekert Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Paul Walters Rugby penalty.svg 10', 43' (2/2)
Dylan du Buisson (0/1)
Report [6]
Scoreboard [7]
Try: Aziyena Mandaba Ru ball.svg 16'
Con: Sivakele Ulana Rugby penalty.svg 17' (1/1)
Pen: Sivakele Ulana Rugby penalty.svg 26', 34', 40', 59' (4/5)
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Bye/s: Wits

Round two

A hat-trick from centre Marcel Coetzee helped UKZN Impi to a comprehensive 68–5 victory over TUT Vikings to increase their lead at the top of the log to four points, with TUT dropping to bottom of the log. Wits played their first match of the campaign and ran out comfortable 39–24 winners over UFH Blues, with braces by Ish Nkolo and Constant Beckerling for the side from Johannesburg. Wits moved into second place on the log while UFH dropped down to third after suffering their first defeat of the season. UWC had a bye this round and remained in fourth spot on the log.

9 February 2015 UFH Blues 24–39 Wits Davidson Rugby Field, Alice  
18:30Try: Lwando Nteta Ru ball.svg 35'
Sivakele Ulana Ru ball.svg 38'
Lithabile Mgwadleka Ru ball.svg 70'
Con: Sivakele Ulana Rugby penalty.svg 36', 38', 70' (3/3)
Cards: Siphesihle Punguzwa Yellow card.svg 77'
Report [8]
Scoreboard [9]
Try: Ish Nkolo Ru ball.svg 2', 8'
Constant Beckerling Ru ball.svg 22', 63'
Ruan van Rensburg Ru ball.svg 30'
Tommy Damba Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 3', 9', 31' (3/6)
Cards: Cameron Shafto Yellow card.svg 66' to 76'
Referee: Fernando Uithaler
9 February 2015 UKZN Impi 68–5 TUT Vikings Peter Booysen Sports Park, Pietermaritzburg  
18:30Try: Spa Dube Ru ball.svg 2'
Marcel Coetzee Ru ball.svg 5', 48', 65'
Ado Wessels Ru ball.svg 7'
Shayne Makombe Ru ball.svg 12', 72'
Njabulo Mkize Ru ball.svg 15'
Inny Radebe Ru ball.svg 43'
Lwazi Ngcungama Ru ball.svg 69'
Con: Inny Radebe Rugby penalty.svg 2', 15' (2/5)
Spa Dube Rugby penalty.svg 43', 65', 69', 72' (4/5)
Cards: Johan du Toit Yellow card.svg 55' to 66'
Report [10]
Scoreboard [11]
Try: penalty try Ru ball.svg 25'
Con: Dylan du Buisson (0/1)
Referee: Ricus van der Hoven
Bye/s: UWC

Round three

Braces from Constant Beckerling and Tommy Damba helped Wits emerge victorious from the top-two clash against UKZN Impi, with a comprehensive 56–13 win – their second away win in a row – to move them to the top of the log and with a game in hand over UKZN. UWC moved up to third on the log by beating bottom side TUT Vikings 21–18 in Pretoria, with a two-try haul from Damian Stevens proving decisive. UWC leap-frogged UFH Blues, who dropped to fourth spot after a bye in Round Three.

16 February 2015 TUT Vikings 18–21 UWC TUT Stadium, Pretoria  
18:30Try: RW van der Wal Ru ball.svg 31'
Wessel Jordaan Ru ball.svg 58'
Claude Johannes Ru ball.svg 71'
Con: Dylan du Buisson (0/1)
Lewies van Deventer Rugby penalty.svg 72' (1/2)
Pen: Dylan du Buisson (0/2)
Cards: Ruan Pienaar Yellow card.svg 22' to 32'
Report [12]
Scoreboard [13]
Try: José Julies Ru ball.svg 23'
Damian Stevens Ru ball.svg 34', 52'
Con: Herman Share (0/1)
Quaid Langeveldt Rugby penalty.svg 35', 53' (2/2)
Pen: Quaid Langeveldt (0/1)
Herman Share (0/1)
Cards: Octaven van Stade Yellow card.svg 65' to 76'
Referee: Renier Vermeulen
16 February 2015 UKZN Impi 13–56 Wits Peter Booysen Sports Park, Pietermaritzburg  
18:30Try: Chris de Beer Ru ball.svg 8'
Spa Dube Ru ball.svg 70'
Con: Spa Dube Rugby penalty.svg 70' (1/2)
Report [14]
Scoreboard [15]
Try: Constant Beckerling Ru ball.svg 2', 17'
Tommy Damba Ru ball.svg 19', 55'
Luvuyo Pupuma Ru ball.svg 35'
Graham Logan Ru ball.svg 41'
Sibusiso Mngomezulu Ru ball.svg 67'
Con: Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 3', 18', 20', 37', 41', 56' (6/6)
Ruan van Rensburg Rugby penalty.svg 67' (1/1)
Cards: Constant Beckerling Yellow card.svg 22' to 33'
Ben Baggott Yellow card.svg 70'
Referee: Jaco Kotze
Bye/s: UFH Blues

Round four

The top-versus-bottom match between Wits and TUT Vikings went according to form, with Wits running out 71–36 winners to extend their lead at the top to six points. They ran in ten tries, with Tommy Damba, Ferdinand Kelly and Luxolo Ntsepe getting a brace each, while fly-half Brandan Hewitt scored one of their tries and slotted seven conversions. In the other match, UWC moved level on points with second-placed UKZN Impi who had a bye round, securing an eight-try victory over UFH Blues and running out 49–34 winners with James Verity-Amm grabbing a hat-trick of tries. Both of the losing sides, UFH Blues and TUT Vikings, picked up a bonus point for scoring five tries in their matches, but remained in fourth and fifth respectively.

19 February 2015 UWC 49–34 UFH Blues UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
18:30Try: James Verity-Amm Ru ball.svg 2', 9', 63'
Damian Stevens Ru ball.svg 7'
Quaid Langeveldt Ru ball.svg 18'
Wayrin Losper Ru ball.svg 22'
Brandon Valentyn Ru ball.svg 55'
penalty try Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Darian Hock Rugby penalty.svg 10' (1/4)
Quaid Langeveldt Rugby penalty.svg 56' (1/3)
Keanu Langeveldt Rugby penalty.svg 79' (1/1)
Pen: Keanu Langeveldt (0/1)
Cards: Brandon Valentyn Yellow card.svg 36'
Tahriq Allan Yellow card.svg 44' to 55'
Report [16]
Scoreboard [17]
Try: Lwando Mabenge Ru ball.svg 17'
Aziyena Mandaba Ru ball.svg 26'
Lithabile Mgwadleka Ru ball.svg 31', 67'
Sanelise Getye Ru ball.svg 50'
Con: Akhona Matutu Rugby penalty.svg 17', 27' (2/3)
Sivakele Ulana Rugby penalty.svg 68' (1/2)
Cards: Siphesihle Punguzwa Yellow card.svg 6' to 17'
Aziyena Mandaba Red card.svg 54'
Referee: Francois Pretorius
19 February 2015 Wits 71–36 TUT Vikings Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30Try: Tommy Damba Ru ball.svg 7', 47'
Luvuyo Pupuma Ru ball.svg 16'
Luxolo Ntsepe Ru ball.svg 20', 68'
Ferdinand Kelly Ru ball.svg 33', 40'
Constant Beckerling Ru ball.svg 43'
AJ van Blerk Ru ball.svg 60'
Brandan Hewitt Ru ball.svg 71'
Con: Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 8', 17', 40', 43', 60', 68', 72' (7/10)
Cards: AJ van Blerk Yellow card.svg 35' to 45'
Report [18]
Scoreboard [19]
Try: Edwin Oliver Ru ball.svg 12'
Tovhowani Nefale Ru ball.svg 50'
Lewies van Deventer Ru ball.svg 63'
Vian Riekert Ru ball.svg 77'
Thabang Kibe Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Paul Walters Rugby penalty.svg 13', 50' (2/3)
Lewies van Deventer Rugby penalty.svg 78' (1/2)
Pen: Paul Walters Rugby penalty.svg 3' (1/2)
Cards: Armand Marshall Yellow card.svg 23' to 33'
Referee: Ricus van der Hoven
Bye/s: UKZN Impi

Round five

League leaders Wits dropped their first points of the season after they were held to a 37–all draw by third-placed UWC in Johannesburg. Wits were leading 37–16 after 55 minutes, but UWC responded with three more tries late in the game to level things up, with winger James Verity-Amm scoring a second consecutive hat-trick after also getting one in Round Four against UFH Blues. UKZN Impi took advantage of their main rivals drawing to secure a 21–13 victory over UFH, which saw them remain in second, but closed the gap to league leaders Wits to five points. UWC finished Round Five a further point behind UKZN, with UFH Blues remaining in fourth spot and TUT Vikings, who did not play this round, staying in fifth at the halfway point of the regular season.

23 February 2015 UFH Blues 13–21 UKZN Impi Davidson Rugby Field, Alice  
18:30Try: Athenkosi Manentsa Ru ball.svg 14'
Siviwe Bisset Ru ball.svg 69'
Con: Akhona Matutu Rugby penalty.svg 15' (1/1)
Sivakele Ulana (0/1)
Cards: Sivakele Ulana Yellow card.svg 48' to 58'
Report [20]
Scoreboard [21]
Try: Inny Radebe Ru ball.svg 3'
Lwazi Ngcungama Ru ball.svg 11', 32'
Con: Inny Radebe Rugby penalty.svg 3', 12' (2/2)
Rowan Gouws (0/1)
Cards: Sanele Malwane Yellow card.svg 33' to 47'
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Vusi Msibi
23 February 2015 Wits 37–37 UWC Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30Try: Luvuyo Pupuma Ru ball.svg 11'
Luxolo Ntsepe Ru ball.svg 27'
Ameer Williams Ru ball.svg 32'
Tommy Damba Ru ball.svg 40'
Constant Beckerling Ru ball.svg 54'
Con: AJ van Blerk Rugby penalty.svg 11' (1/1)
Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 33', 40', 55' (3/4)
Report [22]
Scoreboard [23]
Try: Quaid Langeveldt Ru ball.svg 7'
James Verity-Amm Ru ball.svg 17', 57', 78'
Stuart Austin Ru ball.svg 70'
Con: Quaid Langeveldt Rugby penalty.svg 8', 18' (2/3)
Herman Share Rugby penalty.svg 58', 79' (2/2)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: TUT Vikings

Round six

With top-placed side Wits having a bye weekend, they saw their lead at the top reduced to just a single point from UKZN Impi, who ran out 21–5 winners over third-placed UWC. UFH Blues secured their second victory of the season, beating TUT Vikings 29–18 in Alice to also pick up a bonus point for scoring four tries. Their log positions remained unchanged, however, with UFH Blues still in fourth and TUT Vikings in last place with two log points.

2 March 2015 UFH Blues 29–18 TUT Vikings Davidson Rugby Field, Alice  
17:00Try: Hlubi Mvana Ru ball.svg 8'
Akhona Matutu Ru ball.svg 19', 45'
Aziyena Mandaba Ru ball.svg 28'
Con: Akhona Matutu Rugby penalty.svg 20', 29' (2/3)
Sivakele Ulana Rugby penalty.svg 46' (1/1)
Pen: Akhona Matutu (0/1)
Cards: Lwando Mabenge Yellow card.svg 58' to 68'
Siphesihle Punguzwa Yellow card.svg 69' to 79'
Report [24]
Scoreboard [25]
Try: Dylan du Buisson Ru ball.svg 25', 36'
Lewies van Deventer Ru ball.svg 77'
Con: Ruan Pienaar Rugby penalty.svg 26' (1/1)
Paul Walters (0/1)
Dylan du Buisson (0/1)
Cards: Claude Johannes Yellow card.svg 29' to 39'
Attendance: 3,200
Referee: Sindile Ngcese
2 March 2015 UKZN Impi 21–5 UWC Howard College Rugby Stadium, Durban  
18:30Try: Ado Wessels Ru ball.svg 3'
Marcel Coetzee Ru ball.svg 53'
Langelihle Shange Ru ball.svg 60'
Con: Spa Dube Rugby penalty.svg 4', 61' (2/3)
Report [26]
Scoreboard [27]
Try: Lifa Ghana Ru ball.svg 24'
Con: Quaid Langeveldt (0/1)
Cards: José Julies Yellow card.svg 43' to 54'
Referee: Kurt Weaver
Bye/s: Wits

Round seven

After their bye in Round Six, leaders Wits returned to form in spectacular style, running in twelve tries in a 93–0 demolition of UFH Blues in Johannesburg. Luxolo Ntsepe scored a hat-trick, while Constant Beckerling and Josh Jarvis got two tries apiece and fly-half Brandan Hewitt scored one try and nine conversions for a personal points tally of 32 points. Second-placed UKZN Impi kept the pressure on Wits however, scoring nine tries in their 66–41 victory over TUT Vikings to remain just one point behind Wits on the log. Marius Louw grabbed a hat-trick in their victory and Spa Dube contributed 21 points with the boot. UWC remained in third place in the league with their bye, while TUT's four-try bonus point wasn't enough to move them ahead of fourth-placed UFH Blues.

9 March 2015 TUT Vikings 41–66 UKZN Impi TUT Stadium, Pretoria  
18:30Try: Armand Marshall Ru ball.svg 10'
Mandla Mdaka Ru ball.svg 27', 57', 77'
Ross Middlecote Ru ball.svg 69'
Neil de Witt Ru ball.svg 71'
Con: Paul Walters (0/1)
Dylan du Buisson Rugby penalty.svg 28', 72', 78' (3/5)
Pen: Paul Walters Rugby penalty.svg 4' (1/1)
Cards: Jaco van Staden Yellow card.svg 17' to 27'
Report [28]
Scoreboard [29]
Try: Rico Lategan Ru ball.svg 13', 46'
Marius Louw Ru ball.svg 18', 24', 35'
Njabulo Mkize Ru ball.svg 31'
Matthew Mandioma Ru ball.svg 48'
Ado Wessels Ru ball.svg 50'
Philip Marais Ru ball.svg 73'
Con: Spa Dube Rugby penalty.svg 14', 19', 25', 32', 47', 49', 51' (7/8)
Rowan Gouws (0/1)
Referee: Vusi Msibi
9 March 2015 Wits 93–0 UFH Blues Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30Try: Constant Beckerling Ru ball.svg 7', 18'
penalty try Ru ball.svg 22'
Brandan Hewitt Ru ball.svg 31'
Luxolo Ntsepe Ru ball.svg 39', 53', 72'
Josh Jarvis Ru ball.svg 40', 43'
Rhyno Herbst Ru ball.svg 49'
Tommy Damba Ru ball.svg 60'
Ben Baggott Ru ball.svg 77'
Con: Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 8', 19', 22', 32', 39', 40', 44', 49', 54' (9/9)
Ruan van Rensburg Rugby penalty.svg 72', 77' (2/3)
Report [30]
Scoreboard [31]
Referee: Kurt Weaver
Bye/s: UWC

Round eight

Hosts Wits emerged victorious in the match between the top two teams in the league, beating UKZN Impi 40–26 to extend their lead at the top of the log to four points. Both teams picked up a four-try bonus point in the match that was only settled with a last-minute Tommy Damba try. This result also meant that Wits secured their place in the final of the competition. UWC kept up their attempt to clinch the other spot in the final by beating TUT Vikings 63–10 in Cape Town. They ran in nine tries, with Quaid Langeveldt, James Verity-Amm and Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes getting a brace each. This result saw them close the gap to second-placed UKZN to six points, with a game in hand. A bye round for UFH Blues saw them remain in fourth spot, well clear of bottom side TUT Vikings.

16 March 2015 UWC 63–10 TUT Vikings UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
18:30Try: Quaid Langeveldt Ru ball.svg 22', 41'
James Verity-Amm Ru ball.svg 27', 47'
Stuart Austin Ru ball.svg 35'
Brandon Valentyn Ru ball.svg 54'
Matthew Faught Ru ball.svg 65'
Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes Ru ball.svg 73', 78'
Con: Darian Hock Rugby penalty.svg 23', 28', 48', 55' (4/6)
Quaid Langeveldt Rugby penalty.svg 74', 79' (2/3)
Report [32]
Scoreboard [33]
Try: Lewies van Deventer Ru ball.svg 5'
Con: Dylan du Buisson Rugby penalty.svg 6' (1/1)
Pen: Dylan du Buisson Rugby penalty.svg 1' (1/1)
Cards: Edwin Oliver Yellow card.svg 19' to 29'
Referee: Kurt Weaver
16 March 2015 Wits 40–26 UKZN Impi Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30Try: Ayabulela Mdudi Ru ball.svg 2', 31'
Koch Marx Ru ball.svg 24'
Luvuyo Pupuma Ru ball.svg 57'
Tommy Damba Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 3', 25', 32', 57', 80' (5/5)
Report [34]
Scoreboard [35]
Try: Lwazi Ngcungama Ru ball.svg 15'
Spa Dube Ru ball.svg 47'
Marius Louw Ru ball.svg 63'
Philip Marais Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Spa Dube Rugby penalty.svg 16', 48' (2/3)
Cards: Ado Wessels Yellow card.svg 33' to 43'
David Harel Yellow card.svg 57' to 67'
Referee: Renier Vermeulen
Bye/s: UFH Blues

Round nine

With their sixth win of the season, Wits ensured that they would finish the regular season top of the log, which meant that the final would be played in Johannesburg. They ran out 50–5 winners over TUT Vikings with two tries apiece from Tommy Damba and Koch Marx. The identity of their opposition in the final was still unknown, since second-placed UKZN Impi had a bye, which saw UWC reduce the gap to just one point. UWC ran out 58–8 winners over UFH Blues with James Verity-Amm getting his third hat-trick of the season and take his try tally up to eleven in just six appearances. That result also ensured that UFH Blues would finish the season in fourth spot with TUT Vikings guaranteed to finish bottom of the log.

23 March 2015 TUT Vikings 5–50 Wits TUT Stadium, Pretoria  
18:30Try: Claude Johannes Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Vian Riekert (0/1)
Report [36]
Scoreboard [37]
Try: Koch Marx Ru ball.svg 33', 38'
Tommy Damba Ru ball.svg 36'
Richard Crossman Ru ball.svg 45'
Ish Nkolo Ru ball.svg 48', 56'
Josh Jarvis Ru ball.svg 65'
Con: Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 37', 39', 45' (3/5)
Ruan van Rensburg Rugby penalty.svg 57', 66' (2/2)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
23 March 2015 UFH Blues 8–58 UWC Davidson Rugby Field, Alice  
18:30Try: Ntyatyambo Mkhafu Ru ball.svg 3'
Con: Akhona Matutu Rugby penalty.svg 4' (1/1)
Cards: Siviwe Bisset Yellow card.svg 39' to 50'
Lwando Nteta Yellow card.svg 41'
Report [38]
Scoreboard [39]
Try: Minenhle Mthethwa Ru ball.svg 14'
James Verity-Amm Ru ball.svg 21', 34', 53'
Quaid Langeveldt Ru ball.svg 46', 49'
Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes Ru ball.svg 58'
Yaasien Railoun Ru ball.svg 73'
Con: Darian Hock Rugby penalty.svg 15', 22', 35', 47', 50', 54' (6/7)
Herman Share (0/1)
Cards: Brandon Beukman Red card.svg 1'
Stuart Austin Yellow card.svg 41' to 51'
Referee: Tahla Ntshakaza
Bye/s: UKZN Impi

Round ten

The final line-up was completed as UKZN Impi joined already-qualified Wits in the final. A hat-trick from centre Marius Louw secured a 42–0 victory for UKZN over fourth-placed UFH Blues in Durban to ensure the side finished second on the log. Meanwhile, log leaders Wits and third-placed UWC played out their second draw of the season, with their match finishing 21–all in Cape Town after drawing 37–all in their Round Five match in Johannesburg. TUT Vikings had a bye round and finished bottom of the log.

30 March 2015 UKZN Impi 42–0 UFH Blues Howard College Rugby Stadium, Durban  
18:30Try: Marius Louw Ru ball.svg 6', 38', 46'
Philip Marais Ru ball.svg 14'
Langelihle Shange Ru ball.svg 27'
Ado Wessels Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Spa Dube Rugby penalty.svg 7', 28', 39', 47' (4/6)
Cards: Langelihle Shange Yellow card.svg 31' to 41'
Report [40]
Scoreboard [41]
Cards: Lwando Nteta Yellow card.svg 31' to 41'
Siphesihle Punguzwa Yellow card.svg 64'
Referee: Fernando Uithaler
30 March 2015 UWC 21–21 Wits UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
18:30Try: Quaid Langeveldt Ru ball.svg 19'
Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes Ru ball.svg 44'
Chadwin Robertson Ru ball.svg 74'
Con: Darian Hock Rugby penalty.svg 44' (1/2)
Quaid Langeveldt Rugby penalty.svg 75' (1/1)
Cards: Heynes Kotze Red card.svg 48'
Report [42]
Scoreboard [43]
Try: Angus Gordon Ru ball.svg 9'
Josh Jarvis Ru ball.svg 16'
Rhyno Herbst Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 10', 79' (2/3)
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Bye/s: TUT Vikings

Final

The 2015 Varsity Shield was won by UKZN Impi, who won their first ever title after handing Wits their first defeat of the season; a 29–24 defeat in the match played in Johannesburg. UKZN Impi took the lead fifteen minute in through captain Lwazi Ngcungama and didn't relinquish it for the remainder of the match. Fly-half Inny Radebe was the top scorer in the match with eleven points.

6 April 2015 Wits 24–29 UKZN Impi Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
16:45Try: Tommy Damba Ru ball.svg 40'
Constant Beckerling Ru ball.svg 47'
Ferdinand Kelly Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Brandan Hewitt Rugby penalty.svg 40', 48', 78' (3/3)
Report [44]
Scoreboard [45]
Try: Lwazi Ngcungama Ru ball.svg 15'
Chris de Beer Ru ball.svg 32'
Inny Radebe Ru ball.svg 43'
Alwayno Visagie Ru ball.svg 68'
Con: Inny Radebe Rugby penalty.svg 16', 44' (2/3)
Spa Dube Rugby penalty.svg 69' (1/1)
Drop: Inny Radebe (0/1)
Referee: Ricus van der Hoven

Honours

The honour roll for the 2015 Varsity Shield was as follows:

2015 Varsity Shield Honours
Champions: UKZN Impi
Player That Rocks:Lwazi Ngcungama, UKZN Impi
Forward That Rocks:
Back That Rocks:
Top Try Scorer: James Verity-Amm, UWC (11)
Top Points Scorer:Brandan Hewitt, Wits (133)

Players

Player statistics

The following table contain points which were scored in the 2015 Varsity Shield: [46]

Top Ten points scorers
NoPlayerTeamTCPDGPts
1Brandan HewittWits24100133
2Spa DubeUKZN Impi3210078
3Quaid LangeveldtUWC780059
4 James Verity-Amm UWC1100055
5Tommy DambaWits1000050
6Constant BeckerlingWits900045
7 Inny Radebe UKZN Impi480044
8 Marius Louw UKZN Impi800040
9Darian HockUWC0120036
10Sivakele UlanaUFH Blues164031

Squad lists

The teams released the following squad lists:

TUT Vikings [47]

Forwards

  • Jeremia Burger
  • Shaun de Wet
  • Neil de Witt
  • James Frost
  • Hamish Herd
  • Claude Johannes
  • Wessel Jordaan
  • Attie Joubert
  • Jean-Claude le Roux
  • Calvin Maduna
  • Armand Marshall
  • Percy Matlhoko
  • Mandla Mdaka
  • Ross Middlecote
  • Ratsaka Modjadji
  • DK Mukendi
  • Daniel Richter
  • Jaco van Staden
  • Wian van Schalkwyk
  • Did not play:
  • Isak Deetlefs
  • Mpho Kganakga
  • Dimpho Matshediso
  • Bethuel Mosetekoa
  • Lindokuhle Sambo
  • Ryan Sim

Backs

  • Lisa Banzi
  • Dylan du Buisson
  • Shawn Jaards
  • Deon Joubert
  • Thabang Kibe
  • Tovhowani Nefale
  • Octavian Nkomonde
  • Edwin Oliver
  • Ruan Pienaar
  • Vian Riekert
  • Nelis Snyman
  • RW van der Wal
  • Lewies van Deventer
  • Litha Vumisa
  • Paul Walters
  • Did not play:
  • Leroy Afrika
  • Thomas Joubert
  • Ndivho Nematandani
  • Dwayne Swart
  • Dries van der Westhuizen

Coach

UFH Blues [48]

Forwards

  • Lutho Klaas
  • Madoda Ludidi
  • Lwando Mabenge
  • Athenkosi Makeleni
  • Athenkosi Manentsa
  • Ntyatyambo Mkhafu
  • Olwethu Mputla
  • Lusindiso Nkomo
  • Lwando Nteta
  • Siphesihle Punguzwa
  • Zanoxolo Qwele
  • Sibusiso Sityebi
  • Sesethu Time
  • Mzinga Vitsha
  • Malusi Vula
  • Did not play:
  • Darren Alexander
  • Asiphe Fanele
  • Busiwe Fani
  • Litha Labase
  • Andile Makinana
  • Philisani Khangelani Ncoko
  • Siphelele Njobeni
  • Likhona Nkqoli
  • Ntsika Nyalambisa
  • Misubukhosi Pienaar
  • Siyabulela Sijula

Backs

  • Siviwe Bisset
  • Sanelise Getye
  • Khanyiso Komani
  • Ntsika Kula
  • Aziyena Mandaba
  • Akhona Matutu
  • Lithabile Mgwadleka
  • Hlubi Mvana
  • Sthembiso Ngwenya
  • Lundi Ralarala
  • Elandre Sias
  • Khaya Siqoko
  • Sivakele Ulana
  • Did not play:
  • Luyolo Batshise
  • Benson Chiripanhura
  • Asiphe Fihla
  • Yanga Nakani
  • Sibusiso Sinuka

Coach

UKZN Impi [49]

Forwards

  • Marné Coetzee
  • Chris de Beer
  • Johan du Toit
  • David Harel
  • Michael Hutton
  • Sizwe Kubheka
  • Sanele Malwane
  • Matthew Mandioma
  • Siya Mhlongo
  • Njabulo Mkize
  • Ntando Mpofana
  • Lwazi Ngcungama
  • William Paxton
  • Kwezi Puza
  • Christie van der Merwe
  • Mikyle Webster
  • Ado Wessels
  • Did not play:
  • Henri Boshoff
  • Mees Erasmus
  • Sikhumbuzo Rowen Gasa
  • Mzamo Majola
  • Emilien Mary
  • Milani Lutho Motlohi
  • Clive Musasiwa
  • Lindo Radebe
  • Nduduzo Thembelenkosini Sithole
  • Ayathandwa Tsengiwe

Backs

  • Thobekani Buthelezi
  • Marcel Coetzee
  • Spa Dube
  • Rowan Gouws
  • Graham Koch
  • Rico Lategan
  • Marius Louw
  • Shayne Makombe
  • Philip Marais
  • Yandisa Mdolomba
  • Gavin Nyawata
  • Inny Radebe
  • Langelihle Shange
  • Alwayno Visagie
  • Sandile Zulu
  • Did not play:
  • Jurie Johannes Ingram
  • Manqoba Mqudi
  • Miguel Thabo Ncube
  • Michael Scheepers
  • Bongumusa Tshabalala

Coach

UWC [50]

Forwards

  • Tahriq Allan
  • Stuart Austin
  • Curtis Beukes
  • Brandon Beukman
  • Alwyn Carstens
  • Kelvin de Bruyn
  • Matthew Faught
  • Lifa Ghana
  • José Julies
  • Heynes Kotze
  • Mitch Lingeveldt
  • Wayrin Losper
  • Darren Luiters
  • Sebenza Maphumulo
  • Chadwin Robertson
  • Brandon Valentyn
  • Did not play:
  • Axolile Apleni
  • Mische Kamlesh Vallabh

Backs

  • Gavian Cloete
  • Clayton Daniels
  • Lubabalo Faleni
  • Dean Herbert
  • Gustav Heydenrych
  • Darian Hock
  • Keanu Langeveldt
  • Quaid Langeveldt
  • Minenhle Mthethwa
  • Matthew Nortjé
  • Shane Pietersen
  • Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes
  • Yaasien Railoun
  • Herman Share
  • Damian Stevens
  • Octaven van Stade
  • James Verity-Amm
  • Did not play:
  • Stephan Borman
  • Chad Christopher de Klerk
  • Blake Andre Reineke
  • Wilbré van Wyk
  • Melik Wana

Coach

Wits [51]

Forwards

  • Ben Baggott
  • Constant Beckerling
  • Richard Crossman
  • Jethi de Lange
  • Angus Gordon
  • Rhyno Herbst
  • Ferdinand Kelly
  • Graham Logan
  • Ayabulela Mdudi
  • Chris Mills
  • Brandon Palmer
  • Luvuyo Pupuma
  • Cameron Shafto
  • Tijde Visser
  • Ameer Williams
  • Did not play:
  • Wazeer Desai
  • Mitchell Fraser
  • Gihard Visagie

Backs

  • Alistair Ballantyne
  • Tommy Damba
  • Sicelo Champion
  • Ruan Cloete
  • Brandan Hewitt
  • Josh Jarvis
  • Koch Marx
  • Sibusiso Mngomezulu
  • Ish Nkolo
  • Luxolo Ntsepe
  • AJ van Blerk
  • Dandré van den Berg
  • Ruan van Rensburg
  • Did not play:
  • Joel Bwanakawa
  • Kyle Wesemann

Coach

  • Hugo van As

Discipline

The following table contains all the cards handed out during the tournament: [52]

Sendings-off and multiple sin-binnings
PlayerTeamRed card.svgYellow card.svg
Brandon BeukmanUWC10
Heynes KotzeUWC10
Aziyena MandabaUFH Blues10
Siphesihle Punguzwa UFH Blues04
Lwando NtetaUFH Blues02

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2015 Varsity Shield:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varsity Rugby</span> South African collegiate sports competition

Varsity Cup is the collective name for four South African rugby union competitions involving the top rugby playing universities in the country. It was launched in 2008, with eight teams participating in the Varsity Cup competition and each university's internal champions competing in the Koshuis Rugby Championships. In 2011, a second tier competition called the Varsity Shield was added, increasing the number of participating universities to thirteen. A Young Guns tournament for the Under-20 side of the Varsity Cup teams was launched in 2012. A further expansion for the 2017 season saw three additional universities added to the Varsity Shield, totaling sixteen teams.

The 2011 Varsity Cup was contested from 7 February to 11 April 2011. The tournament was the fourth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The 2012 Varsity Cup was contested from 6 February to 9 April 2012. The tournament was the fifth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The 2013 Varsity Cup was contested from 4 February to 8 April 2013. The tournament was the sixth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The 2014 Varsity Rugby competitions were contested from 27 January to 7 April 2014. Varsity Rugby is the collective name of four rugby union competitions played between several university teams in South Africa, with the Varsity Cup being the premier competition. The 2014 season was the seventh edition of this tournament.

The 2014 Varsity Shield was contested from 27 January to 31 March 2014. The tournament was the fourth season of the Varsity Shield, an annual second-tier inter-university rugby union competition featuring five South African universities.

The 2013 Varsity Shield was contested from 28 January to 1 April 2013. The tournament was the third season of the Varsity Shield, an annual second-tier inter-university rugby union competition featuring five South African universities.

The 2016 Varsity Shield was contested from 1 February to 18 April 2016. The tournament was the sixth season of the Varsity Shield, an annual second-tier inter-university rugby union competition featuring five South African universities.

2016 Varsity Rugby was the 2016 edition of four rugby union competitions annually played between several university teams in South Africa. It was contested from 1 February to 18 April 2016 and was the ninth edition of these competitions.

2017 Varsity Rugby was the 2017 edition of four rugby union competitions annually played between several university teams in South Africa. It was contested from 30 January to 17 April 2017 and was the tenth edition of these competitions.

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Jean Droste is a South African professional rugby union player for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Blue Bulls XV in the Rugby Challenge. His regular position is lock, but he can also play as a flanker.

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The 2017 Varsity Shield was the 2017 edition of the Varsity Shield, an annual second-tier inter-university rugby union competition featuring university sides in South Africa. The tournament – known as the FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons – was the seventh season of the Varsity Shield and was contested from 9 February to 10 April 2017.

Tristan James Blewett was a South African professional rugby union player for the New Orleans Gold in Major League Rugby in the United States. His regular position is centre, but he can also play as a winger or fullback.

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2019 Varsity Rugby was the 2019 edition of four rugby union competitions annually played between several university teams in South Africa. It was contested from 4 February to 22 April 2019 and was the twelfth edition of these competitions.

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