The waiting is finally over and the second edition of Varsity Football will get underway with four explosive matches on Monday night.
The tournament was officially launched at a function at the UJ Football Club in Soweto on Thursday, but Monday July 21 is the date that all Varsity Football fans have had highlighted in their diary since the fixtures were announced.
With plenty of fun-filled activations such as the Kick for Cash competition, the Samsung Smadzadza, Debonairs AmaZing Fan, seven-a-side football and the Varsity Jive at each venue there will be plenty to keep the loyal fans entertained on top of the football action.
The first round of fixtures are mouth-watering with both of last year’s finalists – defending champions UP-Tuks and runners-up NMMU – hosting the televised matches, whilst the two new teams – UJ and Limpopo – will both travel down to the Cape to make their debut in the competition.
We take a look at all of the Round One matches:
NMMU v NWU Mafikeng
The Madibaz were the surpise package of the competition last year, going through to the final unbeaten before stumbling at the final hurdle against eventual champions UP-Tuks.
However, they will not have the luxury of being underestimated this time around and face a tough assignment in their first game against NWU who will be motivated to make amends for their semifinal exit last season.
NWU were one of the form teams in the inaugural competition, but consecutive defeats at home to UP-Tuks in front of their loyal Mafikeng crowd saw them crash out before the final.
The hosts built their game last year on a rock-solid defensive system, and with the bulk of the team back again this year it will be tough for NWU to break them down.
If there is one team that can crack the Madibaz defence it is the free-scoring NWU, and although they may have lost some of their big names there is no doubt that they have enough depth to put out a competitive side every time.
The last factor to consider is the vocal Port Elizabeth crowd who always get right behind their team, which all makes for a classic opening match in the 2014 season.
Prediction: NWU will be out to prove a point, but NMMU will be a tough nut to crack on home ground so we are calling a draw.
Teams:
NMMU: 24 Lyndsay Jennings, 3 Warren Kops, 5 Athini Bisha, 16 Lundi Balfour, 12 Onela Beqezi, 11 Kieran Koert, 6 Kurt Duff, 4 Zukisani Mtendeni, 15 Alexander Owusu, 8 Lukanyo Rasmeni, 10 Cloudius Sagandira.
Substitutes: 1 Matthew Booysen, 2 Lukanyo Stemele, 7 Cornelius Matuoane, 9 Lukhanyo Ndabeta, 14 Simamkele Thobi, 21 Kevin Kevido, 19 Motlhabi Karabo.
NWU: 1 Amogelang Maduo, 7 Sipho Mateis, 2 Lebogang Phetlhu (captain), 5 Kyle Amon, 20 Tseko Weevirs, 21 Lebogang Motshegare, 6 Sandile Mbatha, 15 Matsobane Matsi, 17 Letlhogonolo Mirwa, 10 Orebotse Mongae, 9 Tshenolo Machwisa.
Substitutes: 18 Thapelo Tlabakwe, 11 Lindani Dudula, 13 Thatohatsi Santos, 12 Mogomotsi Molefe, 25 Goitseone Naane, 3 Sifiso Ngwenya, 16 Calvin Ntshudisang.
Date: Monday, July 21
Venue: Madibaz Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 16.30 (televised live on Supersport 204 and 210)
UCT v Limpopo
Limpopo will enter the Varsity Football stage at the Green Mile in Cape Town against a UCT side out to show that they can improve drastically on last year’s campaign.
There is a new coach and new energy at UCT, so it will be something of a new beginning for both teams as they look to make a bright start and go on to challenge the top teams.
Limpopo are something of an unknown quantity, and they will be hoping to catch their hosts off-guard, but UCT cannot afford to take any team lightly if they are going to contend for a play-off place this season.
The conditions on the Green Mile may have a major say in the outcome, with the wind and rain a potential gamechanger at the foot of Table Mountain.
It is possibly the ideal entry into the tournament for Limpopo against last year’s wooden spoonists, but there is no doubt they will have to work hard if they are to take three log pints home with them.
Prediction: Limpopo will give everything in their first game, but UCT should be strong enough at home to win by two goals.
Teams:
UCT: 5 Gregory Bryer, 6 Byron Donaldson, 8 Khotso Nare, 9 Louis-Romain Moussi Sopp, 10 Simangaliso Makalima, 11 Michael Salgado, 14 Jody Brown, 15 Matthew Jackson, 16 Charlie Mbatha, 18 David Frankel, 20 Sepolo Taaso.
Substitutes: 1 Bevan Adonis, 3 Nkululeko Pitoyi, 4 Dylan Fine, 7 Jeffrey Tikolo, 17 Cody Williams, 19 Thansanqa Malusi, 21 Jonathan Melamdowitz
Limpopo: 16 Harold Ndhlovu, 2 Ivan Tleane, 6 Edgar Mafunisa, 24 Austin Dube, 13 Pholoshi Bapela, 20 Samuel Mathabathe, 5 Matsobane Kgantago, 19 Cyril Ndhlovu, 11 Junior Mokgotho, 17 Nelson Ndhima, 7 Given Manoko.
Substitutes: 1 Jonathan Gole, 10 Vuledzani Chikhala, 3 Rodgers Moletla, 8 Lenslot Makgopa, 22 Kgotlelelo Kgoete, 9 Theo Phophi, 15 Tsietsi Tshehla.
Date: Monday, July 21
Venue: Green Mile, Cape Town
Kick-off: 18.00
UWC v UJ
UWC will introduce newcomers UJ to the cauldron of Varsity Football when the two sides meet in Bellville on Monday.
The Cape side finished a disappointing sixth in last year’s competition after battling away from home, but they are determined to show that they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
New coach Bubi Williams has been working hard on the team’s fitness, so they will be intent on starting the season with a bang against a UJ side looking to fins their feet.
UJ are coached by former Bafana Bafana star Bradley Carnell who has overseen a major overhaul of the team, so they will have to show that they have what it takes to compete at this level.
UJ will be well-organised under the watch of former German Bundesliga defender Carnell, but they will have to be wary of the counter-attacking potential of UWC who have added some serious pace out wide.
UWC were rock solid on home ground last year, so they will want to continue that trend and show the new kids what Varsity Football is all about.
Prediction: UJ will pose a tough challenge, but we expect UWC to do enough to win at home by one goal.
Teams:
UWC: 1 Reon October, 20 Kuhle Mpahlwa, 13 Keenan Davis, 24 David Morgan, 5 Cleo Pokpas, 6 Akhona Bonga, 7 Thulani Mklosi, 2 Vuyani Baloti, 9 Curley Beukes, 15 Wade Crowie, 10 Tapelo Sixishe.
Substitutes: 4 Dane Samaai, 22 Zuhlume Sinuka, 19 Chad Smith, 17 Josh Silent, 16 Siphosethu Pitoyi, 14 Ayanda Nkunkwana, 12 Phiwokuhle Mpalala.
UJ: 1 Trent Harrison, 22 Wisdom Mathebula, 21 Grant Bruchhausen, 2 Matthew Edwards, 5 Lerato Tleane, 14 Karl Clements, 23 Tebogo Mandyu, 11 Tshepo Tolo, 7 Ruben De Freitas, 13 Sandro Claro, 18 Ponshu Nyathi.
Substitutes: 16 Stuart Peverett, 6 Lwazi Nogenga, 3 Ruwell Jagger, 20 Stephanis Sibanyoni, 17 Jarred Abrahams, 15 Omphile Majwafi.
Date: Monday, July 21
Venue: UWC Stadium, Bellville
Kick-off: 18.00
UP-Tuks v Kovsies
Defending champions UP-Tuks will get their campaign underway with a tricky home fixture against a Kovsies side that flattered to deceive last season.
The Pretoria side stumbled badly in the first round last year, going down heavily to local rivals TUT, so they will be out to ensure they make a fast start this time around.
UP-Tuks had things all their own way when the two sides met in Bloemfontein last year, so they will be confident that they can get off to a good start in front of their home fans.
With the same core of the team that lifted the trophy back again this year along with some promising new faces, so Kovsies will certainly have their work cut out for them.
However, the Free State outfit will certainly be no pushovers, and they will have no shortage of motivation to make a big statement against the defending champions in the opening round which should make for a tense battle.
Prediction: Kovsies will come out firing in hope of causing an upset, but we expect UP-Tuks to have too much class and win by two goals in the end.
Teams:
UP-Tuks: 32 Lebo Ngubeni, 13 Lindsay Stowman, 8 Nicholas Killas, 17 Irvin Tshabalala, 4 Lawrence Ntswane, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 14 Galane Tebogo, 15 Jarryd van den Berg, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 5 Simbongile Njokwe, 23 Vuse-Umuze Khoza.
Substitutes: 1 Nicholoas Stothard, 12 Phutego Mabitsela, 10 Jeremiah Nkwana, 18 Lucky Mathosi, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 7 Luke Steyl, 11 Richard Moremi.
UFS: 1 Serasengoe Moodie, 4 Marathodi Phillies, 13 Tsoeu Mphezulu, 19 Jarred Meyer, 20 Dumisani Tjomelane, 15 Themba Zimo, 12 Kakudi Moreleba, 11 Lehlohonolo Mokoena, 7 Walter Phori, 10 Simon Modupi, 9 Jay Jay Groenewald.
Substitutes: 24 Dylan O’Brien, 6 Manxubandile Bantshi, 23 Mongezi Mologovane, 3 Unathi Mabandla, 2 Khauhelo Kholotsa, 16 Lehlohonolo Thaele, 8 Christopher Makgoe.
Date: Monday, July 21
Venue: Tuks Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (televised live on Supersport 204 and 210)
By Michael de Vries
