For the first time in the history of the FNB Varsity Cup, eight teams will contest the FNB Varsity Cup while eight teams will also battle it out for the FNB Varsity Shield. This is after a dramatic end to the 2022 season that saw two teams relegated from the Varsity Cup and one team from the Varsity Shield being eliminated. In their last round-robin fixture of the 2022 tournament, Paul Treu’s UWC troops were leading Maties 31-28 after 61 minutes, but couldn’t hold on for an epic victory. Three years after winning the Varsity Shield and being promoted, the team from Bellville ended ninth on the 2021-22 combined log and were relegated along with the 10th-placed Madibaz. The battle to get back into the top tier will take place once again as 2023 has been declared a promotion-relagation year. 2023 Promotion/Relegation At the end of the 2023 season, the team ending bottom of the Varsity Cup log will automatically be relegated to the Varsity Shield, while the team finishing top of the Varsity Shield log will automatically be promoted to the Varsity Cup. The team that finishes 7th on the Varsity Cup log will play in a promotion/relegation match on 17 April against the team that finishes 2nd on the Varsity Shield log. The team that finishes bottom of the Varsity Shield log will play off against the top USSA team to decide who plays in the 2024 tournament. FNB Varsity Cup and Shield 2023 FIXTURES HERE.

The final fixtures and tournament dates are now available for the 16th edition of South Africa’s premier student rugby competition. The FNB Varsity Cup is set to return to full-capacity stadiums at campuses around the country with the FNB Varsity Shield season beginning on 16 February 2023 and with all games taking place on Thursday evenings. The FNB Varsity Cup tournament will Monday nights alight with the opening round kicking-off on 20 February 2023. “The heat is on in 2023 and we can’t wait to see the rugby that rocks returning to packed stadiums at campuses around the country! Brace yourself for hot rugby, hot fans and hot entertainment where rivalry is celebrated, memories are made and new champions will be crowned,” says FNB Varsity Cup founder Francois Pienaar. “For the first time in the tournament’s history, there will be eight teams in Varsity Cup and eight teams in Varsity Shield vying for the honour of lifting the coveted trophy. With the added pressure of it being a promotion-relegation year, we can expect sizzling competition as teams put everything on the line. “I’m also excited to announce that we will be introducing a women’s competition in 2023. As one of the fastest growing team sports around the world, we are proud to ignite women’s rugby at university level in South Africa.” With COVID restrictions lifted, stadiums will return to full-capacity and fans will once again have the opportunity to show why they are the hottest, loudest and most colourful in South Africa in the Fans That Rock competition. The opening round of the FNB Varsity Cup features defending champions FNB UP-Tuks and FNB UFS at 5pm on 20 February 2023. At 7pm it will be time for the always heated Cape derby between FNB Maties and FNB UCT. Both games will be broadcast live on SuperSport. The FNB Varsity Shield tournament gets off to a flaming start on 16 February 2023 when title holders FNB UFH take on Eastern Cape rivals FNB WSU at 7pm. For all the 2023 FNB Varsity Cup fixtures CLICK HERE. For all the 2023 FNB Varsity Shield fixtures CLICK HERE. Ticketing and match details to be released soon.

This year we are once again searching for the biggest, most loyal fans through the Fans That Rock competition with a share of R19 000 up for grabs across both tournaments. With fans back in full force, 2023 sees a return to the full-capacity and in-stadium vibe that makes the FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield competitions the most entertaining university experience. We invite passionate Varsity Cup fans to dress up, show up and join us for the best party atmosphere on campuses across South Africa! Here's how you can stand a chance to win! 1. Entry mechanism For the FNB Varsity Cup Fans That Rock competition: Follow @varsitycupSA on Instagram or @varsitycup on Twitter, Facebook and TikTok. Share your best images taken at any FNB Varsity Cup game or campus activation along with the FNB Fans That Rock in-stadium posters carried by the promoters, or simply show us why you are the Fan That Rocks. Alternatively, share your best selfie and show us why YOU are the Fan That Rocks. Tag @varsitycupSA on Instagram, @varsitycup on Twitter, @varsitycup Facebook or @varsitycup on TikTok. Include the hashtag #FansThatRock along with your image. The FNB Varsity Cup Fans That Rock competition begins on 20 February 2023 and ends on 17 April 2023 at midnight. Weekly winners will be selected and notified on the Friday of each game week. For the FNB Varsity Shield Fans That Rock competition: Follow @varsityshield on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok or @varsitycup on Facebook. Share your best images taken at any FNB Varsity Shield game or campus activation along with the FNB Fans That Rock in-stadium posters carried by the promoters. Alternatively, share your best selfie and show us why YOU are the Fan That Rocks. Tag @varsityshield on Instagram, Twitter or TikTok and @varsitycup on Facebook. Include the hashtag #FansThatRock along with your image The FNB Varsity Shield Fans That Rock competition begins on 16 February 2023 and ends on 13 April 2023 at midnight. Weekly winners will be selected and notified on the Monday of each game week. 2. Prizes R1,000 to one selected winner for every week of the FNB Varsity Cup Fans That Rock competition. R1,000 to one selected winner for every week of the FNB Varsity Shield Fans that Rock competition The prize is as stated and no other alternatives will be offered. Terms & Conditions HERE

After no tournament in 2020, a bio-bubble in 2021 and limited spectators in 2022, it’s finally time for action in front of full-capacity stadiums when the 2023 FNB Varsity Shield kicks-off on 16 February. Twenty-eight matches will be played over seven rounds on Thursday evenings to determine who will advance to the playoffs. Defending champions the FNB UFH Blues, who beat FNB CPUT 28-27 in the dying minutes of last year’s final, will take on FNB WSU All Blacks in the first match of the opening round on 16 February at the Davidson stadium in Alice in the Eastern Cape. SuperSport will broadcast the game live at 7pm. For the rest of the tournament, the channel will broadcast one featured game from each round live every Thursday. There are eight teams in the 2023 tournament this year with former two-time champions FNB UWC and FNB Madibaz joining the competition after being relegated from the FNB Varsity Cup. The other teams are FNB CPUT, FNB UKZN Impi, FNB Rhodes and FNB TUT Vikings. FNB, Steers and Suzuki will be bringing their loyal sponsorship to the Varsity Shield where the stars of tomorrow are born, the most recent being Kurt-Lee Arendse who made his Springbok debut against Wales in July last year and at the time said “I never thought I would be selected for the Springboks so early in my career, so I am very grateful for the opportunity”. Other notable Springboks that began their careers in the FNB Varsity Shield include Trevor Nyakane, Curwin Bosch, S’bu Nkosi and Herschel Jantjies. Fixtures for the 2023 FNB Varsity Shield is HERE. Ticketing details will be released soon.

FNB Varsity Cup FNB UP-Tuks No 8 Orateng Koikanyang on how he started playing rugby, his season so far, and Monday night’s massive FNB Varsity Cup final at the Danie Craven Stadium. When did your love for rugby begin? I was born in Cape Town and moved to Pretoria at a very young age. I attended Hatfield Christian School in Pretoria, which didn’t offer rugby. I only got exposed to the game in Grade 6 when I moved to Waterkloof House Preparatory School. They told me to play lock. I knew nothing about the sport and the position, so I didn’t think I could make anything out of it. I only got serious about rugby in high school. I went to St Alban's College and while it’s not a traditional rugby school, it has produced some big names like [Bok hooker] Bongi Mbonambi. That inspired me. I got picked for the Bulls’ U16 Grant Khomo team in 2015, the U18 Academy Week in 2016, and the U18 Craven Week in my matric year in 2017, which landed me a Bulls contract. You’ve started nine out of 10 matches for FNB UP-Tuks this season and came off the bench in the other one. Are you pleased with your personal performance? I put in a lot of work and trained hard during the off-season so I could make this a memorable season and give as much as I could to the team. I think I’ve had a decent season but the final is the game that matters. That’s when you really need to show up. Is this your last season of FNB Varsity Cup? The Varsity Cup has been really good for me and helped me to develop as a player. But I do want to see if I can ply my trade in the Currie Cup and hopefully I will become a Springbok one day. How are FNB UP-Tuks approaching Monday night’s FNB Varsity Cup final? We have experienced guys in the team. I think we are a strong finals team, so we just need to stay calm and give our all. You did not play in last year’s final, so what does this year's final mean to you? I remember thinking about it before the semi-final against Shimlas … I got goosebumps. I want my potentially last Varsity Cup season to end with a bang. As a team there are going to be a lot of emotions because of how badly we want to win it. It would have been great to play the final at home but this gives us a chance to beat the Maroon Machine on their own turf and silence their crowd. ALSO READ: 'There's no better place to play than Danie Craven' How do FNB-UP Tuks prepare for games? Credit has to go to our coaches, every game is analysed thoroughly. They give us scenarios involving five- and seven-point tries and tell us what to do in different situations during a game. In the semi-final against Shimlas, we just needed to win the game, the margin of victory didn’t matter. So we kicked from inside our own half so they wouldn't get the chance to win a turnover. ALSO READ: 2022 FNB Varsity Cup final trivia And in terms of mental preparation and conditioning? Our mental coach John-Laffnie de Jager helps us to set the tone, focus on the game and think straight. Our conditioning coach Ignatius Loubser has prepared us well since last season when we had to play a lot of games in one week. Big credit to our head coach Nico Luus for steering us through every process in all aspects of the game. ALSO READ: FNB UP-Tuks strive to win the 'brain game' Interview by ‪‪Lehlogonolo Ditshego Photos: Nasief Manie/Luigi Bennett/Varsity Cup

FNB Varsity Cup Scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde scored a try at the death as FNB UP-Tuks edged FNB Maties 29-23 in a dramatic final staged in Stellenbosch. FNB Maties went into this decider determined to channel the energy and aura of the Danie Craven Stadium. Meanwhile, FNB UP-Tuks spoke about silencing the home crowd in their quest to win a second consecutive title. While the home fans made their presence felt in the first half, they were more subdued in the second. The decision to award Van der Linde a late try – despite video replays which suggested that a pass in the build-up may have travelled forward – was not well received by the FNB Maties faithful. By contrast, the FNB UP-Tuks fans at the ground rejoiced. The try, and ultimately the result, ensured that Nico Luus’ side claimed its second consecutive title. The FNB Maties pack dominated the scrums and breakdowns in the first half, while the backs – flyhalf Nevaldo Fleurs in particular – converted pressure into territory and points. FNB UP-Tuks struggled to retain possession and were uncharacteristically porous on defence. While they came into this clash with plenty of intent and aggression, they lacked the necessary accuracy and discipline. The visitors conceded 11 penalties in the first half alone. FNB Maties made the defending champs pay for their mistakes. An unmarked Mike Mavovana claimed a superb cross-kick by Taigh Schoor to score the opening try. Fleurs kicked five penalties to ensure that the hosts went to the break with a 20-10 lead. The momentum shifted in the second stanza, however, after FNB UP-Tuks delivered a more precise showing at the collisions and set pieces. Kabelo Mokoena scored in the 53rd minute to bring his side back into the contest. FNB UP-Tuks crossed the line again – but were denied after FNB Maties used their white card challenge to identify a knock-on in the build-up. FNB UP-Tuks continue to apply the pressure. When Mokoena scored his second try in the 70th minute, the visitors were within sight of a dramatic and unlikely victory. FNB Maties failed to finish a scoring chance at the other end, and then allowed the visitors one final opportunity. Coetzee launched an audacious attack from within his own half, and beat several defenders. The fullback managed to offload to Van der Linde, who showed exceptional pace to finish. FNB Maties used their white card challenge to query the pass by Coetzee to Van der Linde. TMO Egon Seconds ruled that the pass was not obviously forward, and so the decision to award the try was upheld. With this result, FNB UP-Tuks have equalled FNB Maties’ record of five FNB Varsity Cup titles. Earlier, FNB UP-Tuks beat the FNB NWU Eagles 22-14 in the FNB Young Guns final. It was Tuks’ sixth title in eight editions of the U20 tournament and avenged their only loss of the group stage to the Eagles in Potchefstroom. Flyhalf Jean-Pierre Wentzel kicked five penalty goals and converted hooker Ruan van Blommestein’s 19th-minute try, which came from a lineout driving maul. FNB NWU Eagles flyhalf Alec Vermaak kicked three penalty goals, while left wing Simuthembile Ntleki scored his side’s only try early in the first half when two Tuks players failed to challenge him for the ball in the air on halfway. However, Ntleki knocked on with an open tryline a few minutes later, which proved costly as Wentzel slotted three penalties to secure the title for Tuks. Tuks tighthead prop Mawande Mdanda was rewarded for a dominant scrum showing with the FNB Player That Rocks award. FNB Varsity Cup final: FNB Maties 23 (20) – Try: Mike Mavovana. Penalties: Nevaldo Fleurs (6).
 FNB UP-Tuks 29 (10) – Tries: Bernard van der Linde (2x7), Kabelo Mokoena (2). Conversion: Walter Visser. Penalty: Stefan Coetzee. FNB Player That Rocks: Stephan Smit (FNB UP-Tuks) 2022 FNB Varsity Cup teams (Final) FNB Varsity Cup tournament award winners: FNB Player That Rocks: George Lourens (FNB UFS Shimlas) FNB Back That Rocks: Nevaldo Fleurs (FNB Maties) FNB Forward That Rocks: Thabo Ndimande (FNB UFS Shimlas) FNB Young Guns final: FNB NWU Eagles 14 (9) – Try: Simuthembile Ntleki. Penalties: Alec Vermaak (3). FNB UP-Tuks 22 (7) – Try: Ruan van Blommestein. Conversion: Jean-Pierre Wentzel. Penalties: Wentzel (5). FNB Player That Rocks: Mawande Mdanda (FNB UP-Tuks) Photos: Luigi Bennett/Varsity Cup

The FNB Varsity Cup and Varsity Sports welcomes Suzuki as a major sponsor. Advent Sport Entertainment and Media (ASEM) has secured an exclusive sponsorship agreement with leading automotive brand Suzuki, which promises to take fans that rock to a whole new level. The three-year deal will see Suzuki feature as a second-tier sponsor at the FNB Varsity Cup and as main sponsor at all Varsity Sports tournaments. “We are delighted that such a powerful brand as Suzuki will be joining the Varsity Cup and Varsity Sports family,” says Francois Pienaar, CEO of ASEM. “University sport is the platform to unearth our next generation of sport superstars. Banyana Banyana, the African football champions with 12 Varsity Football players in the squad, is a prime example of the talent we have in our youth. A very warm welcome to Suzuki as we celebrate 15 years of Varsity Cup rugby and 10 years of Varsity Sports.” Suzuki’s timing is perfect as Varsity Sports celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2022 with a unique festival of sport, scheduled to take place in October in Gauteng. The weeklong celebration will see Varsity Cricket, 7s and Hockey played at the University of Pretoria. “As the number one compact car manufacturer in South Africa, Suzuki’s involvement in Varsity Sports allows us the opportunity to introduce our beloved brand to the enthusiastic and driven youth market,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki South Africa. “Varsity Sports enables us to be an integral part of an established and sustainable sports spectacle, one where we are able to support and celebrate the sports stars of the future. We want Suzuki to be part of their journey and fill it with FUN.” More fun is exactly what Varsity Cup and Varsity Sports fans can look forward to in 2023, Varsity Cup promises to take ‘rugby that rocks’ and ‘fans that rock’ to the next level with significant changes to the tournament and the match day experience. Fans can look forward to exhilarating rugby as well as campus and match day activations that are unique to the varsity experience. For more on Suzuki, go to: www.suzukiauto.co.za

FNB Varsity Cup Advent Sport Entertainment and Media (ASEM) today announces that The IIE’s Varsity College has entered into a commercial agreement with the University Sports Company (USC), effectively opening the door for The IIE’s Varsity College to participate as a Member University in future Varsity Sports and Varsity Cup tournaments. Varsity College is a brand of the Independent Institute of Education, the largest registered and accredited private Higher Education provider in South Africa. “We welcome The IIE’s Varsity College to the Varsity Sports group and look forward to seeing them qualify for any one of our premier sporting tournaments,” says Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi, Head of Varsity Cup and Varsity Sports at ASEM. “Our tournaments offer SA’s young sporting talent the platforms they need to not only hone their talent, but also to build big-match temperament. For us it’s all about performing, under pressure in front of thousands of fans in stadium and on SuperSport.” Established in 2008, the FNB Varsity Cup is South Africa’s premier rugby competition, featuring 17 universities competing in two competitions. The Varsity Sports series features competitions in 7s Rugby, Athletics, Hockey, Cricket, Football and Netball. Qualification for Varsity Sports tournaments is based on the performances of teams at the annual USSA (University Sports of South Africa) tournaments. Only the top four or eight teams progress to a Varsity Sports tournament. “We are very excited about the opportunity to join Varsity Sports and Varsity Cup,” says Carole Adam, National Sports Manager at The IIE Varsity College. “Knowing that we can qualify for a Varsity Cup tournament, or a Varsity Sports series will give our athletes more focus and determination to succeed. We have been participating in multiple sporting disciplines for many years now and have seen the positive impact sport has on student life and we want to ensure our students get the opportunities to participate alongside the top public universities.” The agreement comes into play immediately and The IIE’s Varsity College will have the opportunity in 2022 to potentially qualify for participation in 2023, via the USSA tournaments.

FNB Varsity Cup FNB UP-Tuks captain Lincoln Daniels says his team kept their composure during the dying stages of the FNB Varsity Cup final in Stellenbosch. The visitors trailed 23-20 with three minutes remaining when the hosts made the fatal error of kicking the ball straight to Stefan Coetzee. The FNB UP-Tuks fullback beat three defenders before putting scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde away for the match-winning try. The dramatic 29-23 victory saw FNB UP-Tuks equal FNB Maties' record of five FNB Varsity Cup titles. "When it mattered, no one panicked and everyone stepped up," said Daniels. "Credit must go to John-Laffnie de Jager, our psychologist, who has done some amazing stuff." ALSO READ: FNB UP-Tuks strive to win the 'brain game' FNB UP-Tuks coach Nico Luus said he changed his team's tactics at half-time when they trailed 20-10. "Maties played brilliantly in the first 20 minutes. We were just sort of hanging in there. Maties dominated in the scrums and lineouts, but we won the small battles. "During half-time, I made a few tactical changes. It paid off. In the latter stages of the game, our forwards started to dominate. "All and all, it was a fantastic team effort. I am so proud of the team." FNB UP-Tuks flank Stephan Smit, who made a match-saving tackle at a crucial stage of the game, was deservedly named the FNB Player that Rocks. "It has been a privilege to be one of the boys," he said. "We showed character when it mattered. We had to as part of Tuks' sports culture is to never give up. You can't give up if you play to honour Tuks' stripes." HIGHLIGHTS: FNB Varsity Cup final Photos: Luigi Bennett/Varsity Cup

FNB Varsity Cup FNB Maties will feed off the energy at the Danie Craven Stadium while the reigning champions will lean on a pragmatic game plan in the FNB Varsity Cup final on Monday night. Ahead of the semi-finals, you would have been forgiven for thinking that the decider would be contested by FNB UFS Shimlas and the FNB UCT Ikeys at Shimla Park. Over the course of the league phase, André Tredoux's charges played the most breathtaking brand of rugby. Tom Dawson-Squibb's side showed similar intent and ambition. Yet here we are, on the day of the final, assessing the chances of two unilkely – albeit wholly deserving – title contenders: FNB Maties and FNB UP-Tuks. HIGHLIGHTS: FNB UCT Ikeys vs FNB Maties (Semi-final) FNB Maties made a statement in the 58-19 semi-final win against the Ikey Tigers in Cape Town. After losing heavily to their arch-rivals and Shimlas during the league phase, the Stellenbosch students certainly proved that they have what it takes to beat the better sides in the tournament. FNB Maties have already beaten FNB UP-Tuks once this season. A lot has changed since that fixture, though, and it's fair to say that Nico Luus' side is peaking at the right time. HIGHLIGHTS: FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB Maties (Round 1) FNB UP-Tuks have relied on the power of their pack and defensive line to win matches. The pressure exerted via their aggressive defence, and their accurate kicking game, has created scoring chances. Last week, they kept a more fancied Shimlas side scoreless in the second stanza, and ultimately won the semi-final in Bloemfontein 29-20. Much like the Springboks, FNB UP-Tuks have the game plan to win big playoffs and trophies. HIGHLIGHTS: FNB UFS Shimlas vs FNB UP-Tuks (Semi-final) It will be interesting to see how FNB Maties respond to that type of challenge. They have the pack to meet FNB UP-Tuks head-on – hooker Sean Swart's try tally of 12 is a testament to the potency of the FNB Maties lineout and maul – but it remains to be seen how they will deploy their backs. FNB UP-Tuks boast a strong kicking game. Scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde, flyhalf Walter Visser and fullback Stefan Coetzee will work together to win the territorial battle for their side. Nevaldo Fleurs has been retained at flyhalf despite the return of regular pivot Adriaan van der Bank – who has slotted in at fullback. Whether FNB Maties decide to engage with FNB UP-Tuks in a kicking battle or not remains to be seen. When you speak to the players, all of them acknowledge the crowd – and the energy of the home supporters in particular – as a key factor. The Danie Craven Stadium will be packed to the rafters with partisan fans on Monday night. While FNB Maties will need to prevail in a series of mini-battles on the field to win the war, their campaign will be enhanced significantly by home advantage. As the stats suggest, FNB Maties rarely lose big games at the DC. That said, few people gave FNB UP-Tuks any hope ahead of their semi-final showdown with FNB UFS Shimlas. They certainly have the personnel as well as the game plan to score another big upset – and a record-equalling fifth title. FNB MATIES vs FNB UP-TUKS (Monday, 19:00, Danie Craven Stadium, SuperSport channel 211) FNB Maties – 15 Adriaan van der Bank (c), 14 Mike Mavovana, 13 Waqar Solaan, 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Anton du Toit, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Simon Miller, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Matt Gray, 4 Juan Beukes, 3 Matimu Manganyi, 2 Sean Swart, 1 Vernon Matongo. Subs: 16 Chris Rossouw, 17 Rhynhardt Rijnsburger, 18 Corné Weilbach, 19 Jesse Johnson, 20 Siyabonga Matanda, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Jurie Mathee, 23 Ghaalieb Kenny. FNB UP-Tuks – 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Kabelo Mokoena, 13 Lincoln Daniels (c), 12 Pierre Fourie, 11 Tharquinn Manuel, 10 Walter Visser, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Orateng Koikanyang, 7 Stephan Smit, 6 Dian Schoonees, 5 Divan Venter, 4 Mihlali Stamper, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Allister Williams, 1 Ethan Burger. Subs: 16 Werner Fourie, 17 André van der Merwe, 18 Daniël Wessels, 19 Justice Nkombua, 20 Hilton Gie, 21 Chad-Lee Valentine, 22 Keane Galant, 23 Ambesa Zenzile. ALSO READ: FNB Varsity Cup final trivia In the earlier kick-off at the Danie Craven Stadium, the FNB NWU Eagles and FNB UP-Tuks will meet in the FNB Young Guns final. Both teams topped their respective groups in the U20 tournament. In the semi-finals, the Eagles edged the FNB UCT Ikeys 33-27 after extra time in Potchefstroom while Tuks beat FNB Maties 35-20 in Pretoria. When these teams last met, in round four, the FNB NWU Eagles beat FNB UP-Tuks 22-7 in Potchefstroom. YOUNG GUNS FINAL – FNB NWU EAGLES vs FNB UP-TUKS (Monday, 16:30, Danie Craven Stadium, SuperSport channel 211) FNB NWU Eagles Young Guns – 15 Luan van der Walt, 14 Sean Roulston, 13 Logan Janeke, 12 Arnoldus Vlok, 11 Simuthembile Ntleki, 10 Alec Vermaak, 9 Sanele Zungu, 8 Tshimollo Mogale, 7 Jacobus Eloff, 6 Hennie du Randt, 5 Robert-Andrew Adshade, 4 Tian van Zyl, 3 Lachance Tchokonte-Nana, 2 Brandon Beukes, 1 Khutso Tshisikhawe. Subs: 16 Angus Appollis, 17 Danial Theron, 18 Fernnin Arendse, 19 Ttsireletso Noko, 20 Schalk van Schalkwyk, 21 Ruben van der Merwe, 22 Christiaan Gates, 23 Damian Oosthuizen. FNB UP-Tuks Young Guns – 15 Emmanuel Bhiya, 14 Bayanda Ngubane, 13 Waldo Noeth, 12 Fredrick Malgas, 11 Buhlebethu Planga, 10 Jean-Pierre Wentzel, 9 Jayden Sam, 8 Marco Venter, 7 Haydn Kemp, 6 Esam Zamubuntu, 5 Roald Hattingh, 4 Johannes Maré, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Ruan van Blommestein, 1 Theodore Ferreira. Subs: 16 Sambesiwe Galada, 17 Richard Muller, 18 Barnard Nortje, 19 Hlomla Marenene, 20 Euan Groenewald, 21 Johan Muller, 22 Stephan Spies, 23 Lunga Ngwenyama.

FNB Varsity Cup All you need to know about the white card that will be used in the FNB Varsity Cup final on Monday night. The white card as a referral may be used by coaches and captains to review a decision made by a referee as described in the situations below. Each team will be allowed ONE referral per half. If the team is successful in their referral, they will keep their referral. If they are unsuccessful, they will lose their right to their referral. The process will be as follows: 1. Each team will receive two cards marked 'Half 1' and 'Half 2'. 2. If the captain wants to refer an incident, he will request the referee to show a white card. 3. He has to be specific in his referral. No general referral will be allowed. 4. If the coach wants to refer an incident, he will request the TMO to inform the referee of the white card request. The referee will show the white card. 5. The coach will then convey his referral to the TMO and this must be specific 6. The TMO will then inform the referee and producer and the normal procedures will prevail. 7. At the end of a half or the game finishes, each team will have 15 seconds to indicate if they want to use a white card referral. PREVIEW: 2022 FNB Varsity Cup final

FNB Varsity Cup George Lourens drove away in a Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XS AT, courtesy of preferred supplier Hertz Car Rental, after winning the overall FNB Player That Rocks award. The FNB UFS Shimlas flyhalf saw off the challenge of FNB NWU Eagles No 8 André Fouche and FNB UCT Ikeys centre Suleiman Hartzenberg in a public vote on the Varsity Cup Facebook and Instagram pages. Lourens matriculated at Paarl Gymnasium and began his FNB Varsity Cup journey at FNB Maties, before making the move to Bloemfontein in order to play in the tournament for one more year. The 24-year-old played a big role in FNB UFS Shimlas' successful season that saw them top the FNB Varsity Cup log for the first time. He also attracted the attention of Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie, signing a contract with the Free State Rugby Union during the tournament. "It was an amazing season," said Lourens after receiving his award at the Danie Craven Stadium on Monday. "It would have been great to finish it off with the Shimlas boys here [in the final]. Thanks to everyone at Varsity Cup, it's something I will never forget." Lourens, who also received a cheque for R20,000 from FNB, said he was "very excited" to be joining the Cheetahs. "Hopefully, I can add a bit of value there." Lourens will certainly stand out on the streets of Bloemfontein while driving his new wheels. "Pink's always been my colour," he said with a laugh before being handed the car keys. 2022 FNB Varsity Cup tournament award winners: FNB Player That Rocks: George Lourens (FNB UFS Shimlas) FNB Back That Rocks: Nevaldo Fleurs (FNB Maties) FNB Forward That Rocks: Thabo Ndimande (FNB UFS Shimlas) Photo: Luigi Bennett/Varsity Cup