Who's playing in the three FNB Varsity Cup matches at Loftus Versfeld on Monday. FNB MATIES vs FNB MADIBAZ (15:00, Loftus Versfeld, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB Maties – 15 Juan Mostert, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 David Brits (c), 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Marcqiewn Titus, 10 Adriaan van der Bank, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Johan Strauss, 7 Matthys Kitshoff, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Dylan de Leeuw, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Duncan du Buisson, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Leon Lyons. Subs: 16 HJ Luus, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 James Combrinck, 19 Michell Carstens, 20 Jaco Nel, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Waqar Solaan, 23 Nevaldo Fleurs. FNB Madibaz – 15 Chadwyn November, 14 Nkoka Ngobe, 13 Aya Oliphant, 12 Stephan Botes, 11 Njabulo Toni, 10 Tiaan Schutte, 9 Yomelela Keswa, 8 Cameron Cato, 7 Jaco van der Walt, 6 Arnouw Nel, 5 Hardus van Eeden, 4 Luyolo Dapula (c), 3 Le-Kleu Stokes, 2 Corné Slabbert, 1 Robert Lyons. Subs: 16 Ruan Jonker, 17 Jordan Caraher, 15 Laken Gray, 19 Siyamthanda Jwacu, 20 Gavin Mills, 21 Tiaan Swanepoel, 22 Khakalethu Bophi, 23 Likhona Dywili. *Jersey worn on the day READ: Madibaz ready to test themselves against FNB Varsity Cup’s best FNB UCT IKEYS vs FNB UWC (17:00, Loftus Versfeld, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB UCT Ikeys – 15 Athi Gazi, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Le Roux Malan, 11 Duran Koevort, 10 James Tedder, 9 Kyle Bowman, 8 Taariq Kruger, 7 Neil Otto, 6 Liam Greenhalgh (c), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Matthew Grobler, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Devon Arendse, 1 Luthando Woji. Subs: 16 Alex Castle, 17 Ashwyn Adams, 18 Jovan Bekker, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Christian Stehlik, 21 Brandon Salomo, 22 Michael Brink, 23 Sibabalwe Mzanywa. FNB UWC – 15 Gilroy Lee Philander, 14 Tasriq Mynhardt, 13 André Manuel, 12 Lyle Hendricks, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Johannes van Biljon, 9 Branden de Kock, 8 Tinotenda Mavesere, 7 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 6 Romuald Nsombamanya, 5 Pieter-Steyl Swanepoel (c), 4 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 3 Justin Theys, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Luvo Bazi. Subs: 16 Jason Alexander, 17 Ebrahiem Davids, 18 Bronlee Mouries, 19 Bradman Grove, 20 Conwill Conradie, 21 Jason Cloete, 22 Ethan Diston, 23 Riaan van der Merwe. READ: Chester Williams to be honoured in FNB Varsity Cup match FNB UFS SHIMLAS vs FNB UP-TUKS (19:00, Loftus Versfeld, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB UFS Shimlas – 15 Luyanda Mkhize, 14 Francois Agenbag, 13 Shayne Bolton, 12 Danco Burger, 11 Ayabonga Matroos, 10 JP Duvenage, 9 Chadd Adams, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe (c), 7 Uzile Tele, 6 Kamohelo Chabana, 5 Thabang Mahlasi, 4 Pierre Uys, 3 JW Meades, 2 Wihan Marais, 1 Johan Schutte. Subs: 16 William Moffat, 17 Henty Beukes, 18 Tshepo Nchabeng, 19 George Rossouw, 20 Gustav Meyer, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Shima Molepo, 23 Luthando Buthelezi. FNB UP-Tuks – 15 Zander du Plessis, 14 Ciaran Dayaram, 13 Sango Xamlashe (c), 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 11 Irvin Ali, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Clyde Lewis, 8 Hanru Sirgel, 7 Mihlali Stamper, 6 Eduan Lubbe, 5 Thomas Meyer, 4 Dawid Meiring, 3 Damien Swartz, 2 Werner Fourie, 1 Dewald Donald. Subs: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Cebolenkosi Dlamini, 18 Etienne Janeke, 19 Stephan Smit, 20 Divan Venter, 21 Ruhan Viviers, 22 Enrique Oranje, 23 Ambesa Zenzile. NOTE: The remaining Round 7 matches – FNB UJ vs FNB Wits and FNB CUT Ixias vs FNB NWU Eagles – will take place on Tuesday, 25 May. FNB Varsity Cup fixtures and logs

FNB UWC and FNB UCT will play for the Chester Williams Memorial Trophy when they meet in the FNB Varsity Cup at Loftus Versfeld on Monday. Williams coached FNB UWC to the 2017 and 2018 FNB Varsity Shield titles, the second of which earned them promotion to the FNB Varsity Cup. The 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok legend tragically passed away on 6 September 2019 at the age of 49. However, his legacy lives on, particularly at the University of the Western Cape where he made such a massive contribution. It’s therefore fitting that UWC will play for a trophy bearing Williams’ name in a tournament that meant so much to him. “Following engagements with the Chester Williams Foundation and family, UWC and the UCT Ikeys have resolved to play our Varsity Cup derbies in honour and memory of Chester Williams,” UWC Director of Sport Administration, Mandla Gagayi, tells VarsityCup.co.za. “The reason for this collaboration is that Chester was always enthusiastic and looking forward to playing against the UCT Ikeys, whether in the WP league or Varsity Cup, because he always believed that UCT is the only club that could give UWC an honest measure of their progress. “Our players’ familiarity also provides a perfect platform to create good competition, while also honouring Chester’s memory," Gagayi adds. The floating trophy, provided by UWC, will be competed for on an annual basis in the FNB Varsity Cup. Should one of the teams fall out of the tournament, their WP league encounter would become the memorial match. Monday’s FNB Varsity Cup clash between FNB UWC and FNB UCT at Loftus will kick off at 17:00 and be broadcast live on the SuperSport Rugby channel (211). FNB Varsity Cup fixtures and logs

The FNB Varsity Cup played an important role in Rasta Rasivhenge’s development as a professional rugby referee. Rasivhenge began refereeing rugby matches in 2008 when he was a teacher at Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg and continued to do so while at Wits University. After being encouraged by the Lions to take up the whistle at a provincial level, he blew his first Vodacom Cup match in 2010 and his first Currie Cup match the following year. Rasivhenge was a referee in the FNB Varsity Cup from 2011 to 2013 and officiated the 2012 final between FNB UP-Tuks and FNB Maties in Pretoria at the age of just 26. “I had refereed in the National Club Championships but the Varsity Cup took me to the next level where you are refereeing semi-professional players,” Rasivhenge tells VarsityCup.co.za. “It was such a thrill, with big crowds for every game creating such a great vibe. I just loved it.” Rasivhenge says it was a pleasure to referee FNB Varsity Cup players during his three-year stint in the tournament. “That was our next generation, our future stars. They used the Varsity Cup to show their skills and talent.” Rasivhenge has fond memories of the 2012 final, which saw FNB UP-Tuks beat FNB Maties 29-21 at Tuks Stadium to claim their first FNB Varsity Cup title. One of the hosts’ try-scorers that night, lock Franco Mostert, went on to win the 2019 World Cup with the Springboks, while winger Courtnall Skosan would also wear the green and gold. “The majority of the players from both sides are currently playing provincial and franchise rugby in South Africa or for European clubs,” says Rasivhenge, who himself has gone to achieve great things. He refereed 264 matches in the World Rugby Sevens Series across 37 tournaments, including 18 finals. He was also in charge of two Sevens World Cup finals and the Olympic Games final in 2016. In fifteens, Rasivhenge has refereed 36 Super Rugby matches, two Pro14 matches, one Rainbow Cup match, more than 35 Currie Cup Premier Division clashes, 21 Currie Cup First Division games, and six Tests. In 2015, as part of a referee exchange programme, he refereed Top 14 and Pro D2 matches in France. Rasivhenge was named SA Rugby Referee of the Year in both 2015 and 2016, and won the World Rugby Referee Award in 2016. The 35-year-old is grateful for the role the FNB Varsity Cup played in his refereeing career and has some good advice for the young whistle-blowers in this year’s tournament. “What’s so great about the Varsity Cup is that you are afforded a lot of opportunities to showcase your talent as a referee, while refereeing players who are going to go on to play professional rugby. “My advice to referees would be to enjoy the moment, embrace the experience, learn as much as you can and use it as a stepping stone to get to the next level.” – This is the 10th instalment in a series of FNB Varsity Cup Changing Lives articles focusing on those whose lives were forever changed by Rugby That Rocks.

The 2021 FNB Varsity Cup will resume on Monday with three Round 7 matches at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. The third FNB Varsity Cup bubble – comprising Rounds 7-9, the semi-finals and the final – was pushed out by a week to allow for more Covid-19 testing of participants to take place, while also giving injured players more time to recover. On Thursday, the Varsity Cup Board approved slight adjustments to the schedule, with two Round 7 matches being moved to Tuesday, 25 May, due to Covid-19 return-to-play protocols. The three Round 7 matches to be played at Loftus on Monday, 17 May are: FNB Maties vs FNB Madibaz (15:00, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB UCT Ikeys vs FNB UWC (17:00, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB UFS Shimlas vs FNB UP-Tuks (19:00, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) The two Round 7 matches to be played on the Tuks B-Field on Tuesday, 25 May are: FNB UJ vs FNB Wits (14:00, DStv Now channel 245) FNB CUT Ixias vs FNB NWU Eagles (16:00, DStv Now channel 245) “We are all looking forward to getting Varsity Cup back on, and reaching the business end of the competition,” said Varsity Cup Tournament Director Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi. “We had a special Varsity Shield final that will go down in the history books and are confident the Cup competition will serve up its own magic. “We’re thankful that our member universities could make the adjustments work in order to ensure player health and safety remains paramount.” The Varsity Cup Board also confirmed the times and venues for the Round 8 matches on Thursday, 20 May: FNB Wits vs FNB UFS Shimlas (14:00, Tuks B-Field, DStv Now channel 245) FNB Maties vs FNB UJ (15:00, Tuks Stadium, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB Madibaz vs FNB UP-Tuks (16:00, Tuks B-Field, DStv Now channel 245) FNB UCT UWC vs FNB CUT Ixias (17:00, Tuks Stadium, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB NWU Eagles vs FNB UCT Ikeys (19:00, Tuks Stadium, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) The times and venues for the Round 9 matches will be confirmed in due course. FNB Varsity Cup fixtures and logs

Until recently, the North-West University had been known as NWU-Pukke for as long as they had been playing rugby. The name 'Pukke' came from Potchefstroom Universiteit Kampus (PUK). However, the North-West University now comprises three campuses – in Potchefstroom, Mafikeng and the Vaal Triangle – so, at the beginning of 2018, the university rebranded to purple to unite all three. All NWU sports teams are now referred to as the NWU Eagles. The name derives from the university mascot, Eagi, who represents a unitary institution. "The eagle symbolises NWU’s brand attributes," says university spokesperson Bertie Jacobs, "which are value-driven, promotion of relevant graduates, vibrant students, socially responsive, as well as academic excellence. “The eagle has many positive meanings across many cultures and it represents the university’s traits," he adds. "These include vision, success, aspiration, courage, expansion, leadership, and freedom. Eagles focus on the ultimate goal and disregard any potential obstacles and fear.” In sport, Jacobs says the name 'NWU Eagles' is a representation of the university and a reflection of the university’s drive to make students, staff, society and every one of their stakeholders soar.

Sango and Siba Xamlashe played against each other for the first time during last month's FNB Varsity Cup match between FNB UP-Tuks and FNB Maties, much to the delight of their family. Sango (23) captained the hosts at outside centre, with Siba (20) starting on the left wing for Stellenbosch, who won 31-24. "Our support squad [family] enjoy supporting both of us and consider themselves both Tukkies/Bulls and Maties/WP fans, so their rugby calendar is always full!" says Sango, a BCom General student at the University of Pretoria." "In all honesty, there is no bad blood between us despite our opposing rugby cultures," says Siba, whose primary position is fullback. "There's a lot of banter, though, which always makes for good conversation around the family table!" The Xamlashe brothers are both products of Selborne College in East London. Siba has always looked to Sango for advice, even though they play different positions, and regarded him as a role model. "From a young age, I’ve sort of been chipping off of his skills and rugby knowledge without him actually knowing," says Siba with a smile. "Sango helped mould me into the player I am today. He helped me to always be a step or two ahead of the other kids in my age group. I’ve learnt most of the things I know from him including, most importantly, the lessons of life – to work hard and always fight for what you want," he adds. WATCH: Brotherly banter after FNB Varsity Cup clash One can feel the love between the two when they are asked about each other's rugby careers. "I don’t doubt for a minute that Sango will become a professional rugby player," says Siba, a third-year BAgric student. "There’s a lot more in store for him and it’s only a matter of time before he makes it if he continues to work hard and push himself. I know he’s also fascinated about going overseas and I'd back him 100% if he did." Sango is just as complimentary towards his brother. "Siba is a well-rounded player and an asset to Western Province," he says. "He's standing on the edge of greatness and definitely has the skill-set to make it. "I felt for him last year, as he would have played for the Junior Springboks if not for the Covid-19 pandemic. I played for the Junior Boks in 2018 and the competition does sharpen your ability and prepare you for senior rugby. "I'm looking forward to facing him again and hopefully playing alongside him in the future," Sango adds. – Catch the Xamlashe brothers in action when the FNB Varsity Cup resumes on Monday, 17 May. Photo: Bronwen Bain

The FNB Madibaz will be up for the challenge of facing some of the top teams in the FNB Varsity Cup when the final block of matches gets underway on Monday. Coach André Tredoux knows it will not be easy as they will be up against three of the top four teams on the table in FNB Maties, FNB UP-Tuks and log-leaders FNB UCT. “As a team, we want to grow and improve,” he says. “We have three very tough games coming up and would like to fight for everything. "We want to measure ourselves against the best. Maties are a quality side, combining speed and power; Tukkies are all about physicality; and Ikeys play a brand of fast running rugby, combined with an experienced pack of forwards. “We realise that we will have to protect our possession much better and be prepared to man up at the set-pieces and on defence. We know it will be hard, but we look forward to this challenge.” Tredoux says the week’s delay in the competition created an opportunity to regroup after the tough start. “It has given a few players the opportunity to recover from the niggles that come with playing three games in a week. It’s also given the coaches the opportunity to keep improving on our various systems. “We are constantly working on our set-piece and defence, while also trying to focus on a fast, attacking game.” The FNB Madibaz are playing in the FNB Varsity Cup for the first time since 2018, having earned promotion from the FNB Varsity Shield last year, and the coach says the fighting spirit of the players has been outstanding. “As coaches, we can’t fault the efforts of the players. They have never given up and that can be seen in the fact that we have picked up the most bonus points in the competition.” The team came within a whisker of recording their first win in their most recent game, losing 24-20 to FNB UFS Shimlas after conceding a stoppage-time try. Tredoux said the match was typical of the courage his players had shown. “The Shimlas match was a game we targeted and the boys were in it to the end. Our defence was immense against them and we even outscored them three tries to two. “We just have to keep improving on our systems and play for each other. I know the boys will give everything in the last three games. “As we enter the final week, we would like to thank Varsity Cup for putting on such a good tournament and all the support and encouragement we have received.” FNB Varsity Cup fixtures and log – Article courtesy Full Stop Communications

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie says FNB CUT fullback Cohen Jasper has shown his class during this year’s FNB Varsity Cup. The 20-year-old has scored five tries for the Ixias, who have won five of their six fixtures, including the match-winner against FNB Maties. Jasper signed a contract with the Cheetahs last year, in conjunction with FNB CUT, which saw him play for the Free State U20 team in the SA Rugby U20 Championship before joining the Ixias squad for their FNB Varsity Cup campaign. Jasper will start training with the Cheetahs senior side from 1 June and is set to make his debut in the double-round Currie Cup Premier Division later this year. “Cohen has played really well for CUT,” Fourie tells VarsityCup.co.za. “He’s showed his class. He’s an excellent attacking fullback, runs very good support lines whenever there’s a line break and is a superb finisher. “Cohen is in the Cheslin Kolbe mould,” Fourie adds. “He’s not a big guy [at 77kg and 1.74m] but he has a lot of skill and the ability to score tries. He has that X-factor. “Once he starts training with us we will decide where and when to give him playing opportunities, but fullback is his primary position so he will be competing with the likes of Clayton Blommetjies and Malcolm Jaer.” Fourie also confirmed that the Cheetahs had signed FNB Madibaz No 8 Mihlali Mosi. “Mihlali’s ball-carrying ability is exceptional,” he says. “He’s really explosive with ball in hand and his lineout work is excellent. He has a few things to work on, but he has a lot of attributes that will fit in with the way we play.” Jasper and Mosi’s Cheetahs contracts both run until the end of October but, based on their FNB Varsity Cup performances, are likely to be extended well beyond that. Photos: Brendan Croft/Catherine Kotze/Varsity Cup

Jonathan Mokuena took the life-changing opportunity to coach FNB NWU in the FNB Varsity Cup with both hands. During his seven-year career as a professional rugby player, Mokuena represented the Leopards, Cheetahs, Griquas and Lions. The loose forward also played for a Royal XV against the British & Irish Lions when they last toured South Africa in 2009. After hanging up his boots in 2012, Mokuena decided that with a young family to support, he needed to find a “real job” away from rugby. “I went into the medical field as a sales rep, selling implants, like for hips and knees,” he tells VarsityCup.co.za. “But during that three-year period, I got involved in coaching, first with the U14C team at St Stithians, and then with the UJ and Lions sevens teams.” Mokuena admits “the rugby bug never stopped biting me”, so when he heard that FNB NWU coach Robert du Preez would be joining the Sharks, he decided to throw his name into the hat. “When I walked out of the interview, I knew the job was mine,” he says. “I was blessed to get the opportunity and grateful that NWU took a chance on someone they wouldn’t normally.” Mokuena achieved instant success with FNB NWU-Pukke (now known as the Eagles) as they won the FNB Varsity Cup for the first – and only – time in 2016. “While that was a memorable year, all four years that I spent at NWU were special,” he says. “I think about our former captain, Tiaan Bezuidenhout, who passed away over the weekend … Working with young men like him, Chucky van der Westhuizen and Christwill September was a wonderful experience.” In 2016, FNB NWU-Pukke finished third on the FNB Varsity Cup log – with five wins from seven matches – one point behind FNB UJ and three behind FNB Maties. Pukke then beat FNB UJ 35-7 in their semi-final in Johannesburg, while FNB Maties thrashed FNB UP-Tuks 49-11 in Stellenbosch. The final was held at the Danie Craven Stadium and to say that FNB NWU were underdogs would be a massive understatement. No one gave them a hope in hell. However, outstanding defence from both teams saw the scores locked at 0-0 at half-time. FNB Maties flyhalf Chris Smith kicked two second-half penalty goals but the visitors kept on coming and thought they had scored a try through replacement wing Dean Stokes in the corner with two minutes remaining. But the TMO ruled the ball had been knocked on. There was plenty more drama to come. FNB NWU won a penalty from the resultant FNB Maties scrum, which was followed by several reset scrums and penalties. During this period, the hosts copped two yellow cards, and Pukke took full advantage with flank Marno Redelinghuys forcing his way over from close range. Fullback Ryno Smith kicked the simple conversion and FNB NWU celebrated a famous win. “Maties had thrashed us during the league stage of the tournament, so all the pressure was on them going into the final,” Mokuena recalls. “We knew we had to be clinical and take the try-scoring opportunities that came our way, and while we did miss a couple, we took that one at the end.” The 39-year-old remains grateful for the platform given to him by the FNB Varsity Cup. “I don’t think people would have known about my capabilities as a coach were it not for the Varsity Cup,” he says. “It gave me great confidence and I believe if I am put in charge of a professional team – Currie Currie, Super Rugby or higher – I know what it takes to be successful. “The Varsity Cup puts you into that space when week in, week out you have to coach a team to win while dealing with the pressures of the job. It really prepares you for rugby at a higher level.” – This is the ninth instalment in a series of FNB Varsity Cup Changing Lives articles focusing on those whose lives were forever changed by Rugby That Rocks.

Jonathan Mokuena took the life-changing opportunity to coach FNB NWU in the FNB Varsity Cup with both hands. During his seven-year career as a professional rugby player, Mokuena represented the Leopards, Cheetahs, Griquas and Lions. The loose forward also played for a Royal XV against the British & Irish Lions when they last toured South Africa in 2009. After hanging up his boots in 2012, Mokuena decided that with a young family to support, he needed to find a “real job” away from rugby. “I went into the medical field as a sales rep, selling implants, like for hips and knees,” he tells VarsityCup.co.za. “But during that three-year period, I got involved in coaching, first with the U14C team at St Stithians, and then with the UJ and Lions sevens teams.” Mokuena admits “the rugby bug never stopped biting me”, so when he heard that FNB NWU coach Robert du Preez would be joining the Sharks, he decided to throw his name into the hat. “When I walked out of the interview, I knew the job was mine,” he says. “I was blessed to get the opportunity and grateful that NWU took a chance on someone they wouldn’t normally.” Mokuena achieved instant success with FNB NWU-Pukke (now known as the Eagles) as they won the FNB Varsity Cup for the first – and only – time in 2016. “While that was a memorable year, all four years that I spent at NWU were special,” he says. “I think about our former captain, Tiaan Bezuidenhout, who passed away over the weekend … Working with young men like him, Chucky van der Westhuizen and Chriswill September was a wonderful experience.” In 2016, FNB NWU-Pukke finished third on the FNB Varsity Cup log – with five wins from seven matches – one point behind FNB UJ and three behind FNB Maties. Pukke then beat FNB UJ 35-7 in their semi-final in Johannesburg, while FNB Maties thrashed FNB UP-Tuks 49-11 in Stellenbosch. The final was held at the Danie Craven Stadium and to say that FNB NWU were underdogs would be a massive understatement. No one gave them a hope in hell. However, outstanding defence from both teams saw the scores locked at 0-0 at half-time. FNB Maties flyhalf Chris Smith kicked two second-half penalty goals but the visitors kept on coming and thought they had scored a try through replacement wing Dean Stokes in the corner with two minutes remaining. But the TMO ruled the ball had been knocked on. There was plenty more drama to come. FNB NWU won a penalty from the resultant FNB Maties scrum, which was followed by several reset scrums and penalties. During this period, the hosts copped two yellow cards, and Pukke took full advantage with flank Marno Redelinghuys forcing his way over from close range. Fullback Ryno Smith kicked the simple conversion and FNB NWU celebrated a famous win.

Former FNB NWU captain Tiaan Bezuidenhout tragically passed away in a car accident on Saturday. The No 8 earned 10 FNB Varsity Cup caps in 2018. He also represented the NWU 1st XV in the Pirates Grand Challenge and the Leopards in the Currie Cup First Division while studying towards a Senior Phase education degree. As FNB NWU’s first new captain in three years, Bezuidenhout led them all the way to the 2018 final before hanging up his boots at the end of the season. Jonathan Mokuena, who was FNB NWU's coach at the time, remembers Bezuidenhout as a special player and person. “He was someone who I could count on to keep discipline in the team. When I announced him as our captain at the beginning of 2018, I still remember how he cried and how immensely proud he was to represent NWU and captain them. "Seeing his face then is something I will treasure forever. I knew then that I had made the right choice as a coach.” Bezuidenhout's former teammates have posted touching tributes to Bezuidenhout on social media, including Walt Steenkamp, who on Facebook paid homage to the best man at his wedding. Steenkamp wrote (in Afrikaans): "Tiaan, so I now sit with tears in my eyes. I have no words, the shock is great for all of us. My best friend from primary school was taken away from us too early. You were there for every big moment in my life. Know that I carry all our times together in my heart. From school days, Pukke, every time we ran out on the field together, Soeties [Soetdorings hostel] initiation to both of our weddings. I love you, my friend! I'm going to miss you so much! You will always be my 'best man'. Rest in peace." Varsity Cup extends its deepest condolences to Bezuidenhout's family and the larger NWU community.

FNB CUT Ixias tighthead prop Tebogo Masemola on his rugby journey, YouTube channel and being in a bio-bubble. How did you get into rugby? I was bullied at primary school for being overweight, which caused me to rebel. I got detention and struggled with my academics. I was subsequently prescribed Ritalin for being hyperactive, which didn't sit well with my mom, who brought me back to Johannesburg from my grandmother's home in KZN. On my first day of school at Laerskool Culembeeck, my mom explained my situation to the headmaster, Mr Geldenhuys, who said that if he deemed me to be hyperactive, he'd put me on to the rugby pitch. The rest is history. You had a successful high school career. What age-group provincial teams have you represented, during and after school? While at Hoërskool Die Adelaar, I represented the Lions U15 and U16 development sides at the Iqhawe Week and Jeppe Rugby Festival respectively. I then moved to Pretoria Boys' High and played for the Blue Bulls at the U16 Grant Khomo Week. Since leaving school, I have played for the Griquas U20 and Free State U21 teams. Who are your rugby mentors? Mr [Jaydon] Kelly at Pretoria Boys', who taught me that first and foremost rugby is about having fun, and then about improving as an individual while achieving one's performance goals. His interest in my odd-shaped-ball journey helped to keep my dream alive and remain positive. My psychologist, Dr [Jannie] Botha, is also a role model because he taught me about perspective. Many things can go wrong on the pitch and I needed to learn to take negativity in my stride. And your rugby role models? Definitely has to be the 'big man' [All Blacks scrumhalf] TJ Perenara. There is just something about the way he carries himself around the field. It's almost like he never runs out of confidence. The fact that he is a small player playing against huge players, but still has the confidence to do what he does on the field, is just truly amazing for me. What would you like to do after rugby? I'd love to get into rugby broadcasting. I'm a very talkative person and genuinely like engaging in conversation with people and telling stories. Through watching many sporting codes, including soccer and rugby, I got to hear the likes of Hugh Bladen, the late Kaunda Ntunja, Andy Townsend, Martin Tyler, Owen Nkumane, Fudge Mabeta and Jonathan Mokuena. That made me fall in love with broadcasting and want to speak to the whole world. When I decided to start my YouTube channel, RuggaChat with Masemola, I wanted to give people a story, something to look forward to. I also wanted them to realise that rugby – and sport in general – doesn't just happen on the weekend or game day, but is part of everyday life. What are your rugby and life goals? I would love to get contracted by a professional team and be able to call myself a Springbok one day. My life goals are to make my mom proud and be an example to my younger brother and sister. FNB CUT have won five out of six matches in this year's FNB Varsity Cup and look set to reach the semi-finals. What are your thoughts on the campaign so far and the win against FNB Maties in particular? So far, so good! We are putting in a lot of work and everything is coming together for us as a team. The win against Maties was really great. I think it was just another sign of how well we prepare and how strongly we believe in ourselves as a team. What's it been like in the bio-bubble? Absolutely amazing, I've loved every single moment of it. It's fantastic to see how a huge tournament like the Varsity Cup could be hosted in this way. It feels great to be part of such an event during these tough times as a country.