Preview: Varsity Football set for fiery startOld Varsity Sports

Varsity Football Round One is on the horizon with some key match-ups that could dictate the rest of the season.

NWU vs UWC
KO: 16:00 (Live on SS Select – channel 210)
UWC (University of the Western Cape) will be out to recreate their form of 2015, that year being the last time the men from Belville hoisted the coveted trophy. UWC begin their campaign with a trip North, to Mahikeng, where they dual with NWU (North-West University). The men in purple will be a tough side to beat after making it to the final at USSA (University Sports South Africa). The only Capetonian side in the competition will look to Clinton Herwel, and the experienced defender will provide strength and leadership to the UWC line-up.

Tuks vs TUT
KO: 18:15 (Live on SS Select – channel 210)
We will see a replay of last year’s final when UP-Tuks (University of Pretoria) host TUT (Tshwane University of Technology) at Tuks Stadium on Thursday. Last time the sides met, UP-Tuks won the Pretoria bragging rights after beating TUT 2-0 to win the 2017 season at the Tshwane University of Technology Stadium. TUT won’t be deterred by the loss in the final last season, as they remain one of the strongest teams in the competition. They have held onto star coach Bushy Moloi who should steer them in the right direction, while also possessing a lot of depth in their arsenal.

UJ vs UL
KO: 18:30
UL (University of Limpopo) re-join the competition after being relegated in 2014 and will take on Johannesburg giants UJ (University of Johannesburg) at the Oscar Mpetha Stadium. UJ have yet to lift the trophy but have been consistent in Varsity Football, winning the runners-up tag in 2016 after losing to TUT 2-1 in the final. UJ coach Mandla Zwane explained that his side’s preseason went well, considering they are just coming off their previous competition, and have focused on their goal-scoring.

UKZN vs Wits
KO: 18:30
UKZN (University of KwaZulu-Natal) will play their first ever Varsity Football game when they host Wits (Wits University) at Howard College Rugby Stadium. UKZN have already made waves by winning the preseason USSA tournament after defeating NWU in the final and will be looking to build on that momentum going into the Varsity Football season. UKZN Football club manager Mark Bashe believes that Varsity Football will be received extremely well by the UKZN and Durban crowds.

“Our students have been waiting for these games for years. Even when UKZN plays in Varsity Shield rugby we worked out more than 60 percent of the crowd are football fans. So, we are very excited to host these games and we are going to have a full house for all the fixtures.”

UKZN will host Wits, who haven’t fronted up the way you’d expect from the Johannesburg university but will be hoping this year will change that. Wits will look to skipper Mahle Mtabane, who has been promoted to captain after being a senior member of the side last season at the tender age of 21.

More about Varsity Football
Varsity Football is a seven-round tournament, excluding the semi-final and final. The competition will kick-off on 26 July, with NWU (North-West University) taking on UWC at 16:00 at the Mafikeng Stadium (televised), UP-Tuks will then host TUT at 18:15 (televised), UJ (University of Johannesburg) play UL at 18:30 at their Soweto Campus and UKZN will play their first ever Varsity Football game when they host Wits (Wits University) at 18:30 at Howard College Rugby Stadium. Selected games will be televised live throughout the season on SuperSport Channels 204 and 210.

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