You can help decide who wins the overall 2021 FNB Varsity Shield Player That Rocks award, as well as the Forward That Rocks and Back That Rocks awards. The seven FNB Varsity Shield head coaches all nominated three players in each category (excluding their own players), ranked from first to third place. The votes were then collated by the tournament organisers, with first position worth three points, second position two points and third position one point. The three players with the most points in each category are now being put forward to the public, whose votes will determine the winners. The public can cast their votes on the FNB Varsity Cup Facebook page from Tuesday, 4 May until 12:00 on Sunday, 9 May, the day of the FNB Varsity Shield final at Tuks Stadium (participants can only vote once). The winners will be announced after the final. 'Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield are tournaments for the people,' says Varsity Cup Tournament Director Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi. 'We have a passionate following and want to involve the public in how we decide the category award winners. The amazing thing this year is that all the matches have been televised, so the public have seen all these amazing players in action.' 2021 FNB Varsity Shield awards nominees: Overall Player That Rocks Sesona Macala (FNB CPUT No 8) Hlomla Payi (FNB WSU All Blacks lock) Lusanda Xakwana (FNB TUT Vikings flyhalf) VOTE HERE Forward That Rocks Hlomla Payi (FNB WSU All Blacks lock) Sesona Macala (FNB CPUT No 8) Siyasanga Ngubelanga (FNB CPUT hooker) VOTE HERE Back That Rocks Litha Nkula (FNB WSU All Blacks fullback) Nathan Nkutu (FNB CPUT wing) Lusanda Xakwana (FNB TUT Vikings flyhalf) VOTE HERE

The third FNB Varsity Cup bubble in Tshwane has been pushed out by a week. The tournament will now resume on Monday, 17 May, with the final taking place on 31 May. The Varsity Cup Board made the decision over the weekend, in consultation with the member universities, after three FNB UP-Tuks players tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their match against FNB UCT Ikeys last Friday. The match was declared a 0-0 draw and both teams received two log points. Friday’s Round 6 matches were the last of the second FNB Varsity Cup bubble, which had begun on 22 April. "It was always our intention to complete the tournament by the end of May, because of university examinations in June," explained Varsity Cup Tournament Director Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi. "As such, we built in a buffer week to deal with any unknowns that would require us to re-shuffle dates. "During discussions with the member universities after the second bubble, we agreed that an additional week's break before the third bubble would serve the entire competition well." Nesi said the extended break would allow for more Covid-19 testing to take place and give injured players more time to recover ahead of the business end of the tournament. "As always, our main priority is ensuring the health and safety of all our student athletes and management staff," he added. Updated fixtures

VarsityCup.co.za content contributors Dan Lombard and Bronwen Bain select the standout players from Sunday’s matches at Tuks Stadium. MAURITZ MARITZ (FNB TUT VIKINGS) After being sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken cheekbone, the FNB TUT co-captain led from the front in his return to action. The agile centre created several opportunities for his teammates and scored a 40m interception try on his 21st birthday. MPUMELELO HLEFANE (FNB DUT RHINOS) The Rhinos captain and prop epitomises his team’s ‘never-say-die’ attitude. His work rate and physicality are inspiring to see and he played a big part in their impressive scrummaging performance against the Vikings. LUNATHI NXELE (FNB CPUT) The Tekkies No 12 had a field day against the FNB UKZN Impi, scoring two brilliant tries while defending the inside channel to a tee. His efforts, despite being shown a yellow card in the second half, were a major factor in FNB CPUT’s ruthless dominance of their KZN opponents. WATCH: Steers Top 6 Tries (Round 5) LITHA NKULA (FNB WSU ALL BLACKS) Nkula's game against FNB Rhodes was head and shoulders above quality! The wing’s two tries and seven conversions, coupled with his cool and collected ability to lead his charges, certainly contributed towards their impressive victory. LISOLETHU VALISI (FNB WSU ALL BLACKS) Valisi has all the qualities of a top-class flyhalf. He organised his backline so effectively against FNB Rhodes that the All Blacks were a constant threat whenever they secured possession. Valisi’s try – one of nine – meant the result after half-time was never in doubt or even remotely close. Photos: Christiaan Kotze/Catherine Kotze/Varsity Cup

Hardus Nel thought he would never play rugby again after being diagnosed with stage-three testicular cancer in April last year. The FNB CUT Ixias No 8 played in the Bloemfontein derby against FNB UFS Shimlas before the 2020 FNB Varsity Cup was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He had been suffering from back pain for a while, but put it down to a rugby niggle. Nel sought medical attention during the lockdown and after several tests was told that he had stage-three testicular cancer that had spread to his stomach. Nel had tumours, the biggest of which was 13cm, so he required an operation and was in hospital for almost six weeks. He then underwent four months of intense chemotherapy in Port Elizabeth – every day from Tuesday until Friday. “It was very tough because the chemo makes you sick and weak, and you don’t really want to do anything,” he recalls. “Travelling back and forth was difficult because I would spend about four hours a day in the chemo chair and the rest of the day in bed.” Battling cancer is daunting enough in normal circumstances, but having to do so alone during a pandemic was as much a mental battle as it was a physical one for Nel. “It was tough because you can’t go anywhere and I obviously wasn’t allowed visitors,” says the 23-year-old. In mid-October, two weeks after his last chemotherapy session, Nel was told he was in remission and cleared to play rugby again almost six months after his diagnosis. However, he had lost 30kg, so he was nowhere near ready, especially as a forward. “Between the chemo sessions, I started doing push-ups and walking. In October, when I heard I was cancer-free, the furthest I could jog was 500m before I started cramping and couldn’t walk.” When Nel came out of hospital, he told his parents he didn’t think he would play rugby again. “You have a very negative mindset, but my family tried to keep me positive,” he says. “Everyone kept asking how it’s going and when I’m coming back, so I decided to at least try.” Nel credits the FNB CUT squad and management for his comeback. “Rugby helped a lot because the coaches kept me in the squad and the team sent me motivational videos. When I came back, they kept on motivating me and challenging me, which helped me stay active and try to get back to where I was.” After re-joining the squad in mid-October, FNB CUT strength and conditioning coach Michael Shaw helped Nel in the gym and with extra fitness in a bid to get him in shape in time for the start of the 2021 season. Nel’s hard work paid off because he now weighs 98kg, which is 4kg more than he weighed in last year’s competition. The longest Nel has played so far this season is 40 minutes against FNB UCT Ikeys, which he says was “fun”. “I’m very happy to be back,” he adds. “I can’t believe I ever thought I wouldn’t play rugby again. I just want to improve every time I play and play a bit longer every time.” Photos: Gallo Images/Mlungisi Louw/Catherine Kotze/Varsity Cup

All the lineups for Tuesday's FNB Varsity Shield matches at Tuks Stadium. FNB UFH BLUES vs FNB DUT RHINOS (Tuesday, 15:00, Tuks Stadium, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB UFH Blues – 15 Liyema Tyali, 14 Brandt Fields, 13 Keith Chiwara, 12 Jonathan Booysen, 11 Sive Lubisi, 10 Apiwe Sidloyi, 9 Merlin du Plessis, 8 Yamkela Mzozoyana (c), 7 Kamvelihle Fatyela, 6 Lukhanyiso Tosholwana, 5 Ayabulela Xhosana, 4 Walter Moyo, 3 Sibabalo Mnkani, 2 Daniel Caku-Caku, 1 Anele Nkohla. Subs: 16 Garin Strydom, 17 Samkelo Ntshulwane, 18 Mesuli Nzima, 19 Lungelo Rintsana, 20 Bukho Mgatyelwa, 21 Lwazi Madiba, 22 Lukho Jongizulu, 23 Lakhanya Sam. FNB DUT Rhinos – 15 Langelihle Ntombela, 14 Luyolo Nkwanca, 13 Mpilenhle Mthembu, 12 Moyomuhle Mkhize, 11 Bongumenzi Mkhize, 10 Nelson Mhlongo (c), 9 Anele Mzobe, 8 Simphiwe Phiri, 7 Malusi Mkhize, 6 Sithembiso Mthihare, 5 Katambwa Mulumba, 4 Nkanyiso Miya, 3 Anelisa Mthwazi, 2 Sechaba Motsapi, 1 Bayanda Mdladla. Subs: 16 Siyanda Mthembu, 17 Mpumelelo Hlefane, 18 Sinqobile Maseko, 19 Philasande Mchunu, 20 Philasande Mgogo, 21 Simphiwe Makhubu, 22 Andile Dlamini, 23 Sizwe Malakoane. WATCH: Steers Top 6 Tries (Round 5) FNB TUT VIKINGS vs FNB RHODES (Tuesday, 17:00, Tuks Stadium, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB TUT Vikings – 15 Lusanda Xakwana, 14 Wanga Shumi, 13 Mauritz Maritz, 12 Musawenkosi Sili, 11 Vuyani Vanqa, 10 LJ Pretorius, 9 Ngcebo Thusi, 8 Laro Delport, 7 Francois de Villiers, 6 Phuzukuvela Sithole, 5 Anré O'Neill (c), 4 LJ Viljoen, 3 Goabaona Mokone, 2 Joseph Kwinda, 1 Ruhan Oosthuizen. Subs: 16 Heirich Briedenhann, 17 Thabiso Masuku, 18 Kazadi Mukendi, 19 Handro Horn, 20 Thabang Malone, 21 Ethan Wilson, 22 Dieter Groenewald, 23 Franco Stassen. FNB Rhodes – 15 Simamkele Ngantweni, 14 Cameron Marais, 13 Damian Morrow, 12 Simelela Mbanzi, 11 Tinashe Famba, 10 Matthew Royle, 9 Nicholas Dettmer, 17* Athenkosi Nkewana, 7 Ntsika Ndungane, 6 Kwandiwe Mbelani, 5 Xhanti Stofile, 4 Sithembele Njokweni, 3 Sinolwazingekamvalakhe Ralo, 2 Loyiso Isaacs, 1 Katlego Petje. Subs: 16 TC Junior Manana, 8* Nhlakanipho Rabula, 18 Ongeziwe Shumi, 19 Bradley van Heerden, 20 Viwe Makeleni, 21 Dimitri Mngqolo, 22 Abonga Manka, 23 Garfield Khanyile. *Jerseys worn on the day READ: Five FNB Varsity Shield players who impressed (Round 5) FNB WSU ALL BLACKS vs FNB CPUT (Tuesday, 19:00, Tuks Stadium, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB WSU All Blacks – 15 Litha Nkula (c), 14 Sakhele Ngeno, 13 Sicelo Tole, 12 Thembani Kori, 11 Tebogo Madigoe, 10 Lwandile Mapuko, 9 Eric Mcaphukana, 8 Esethu Zenani, 7 Adri Kermis, 6 Siphosihle Magawu, 5 Hlomla Payi, 4 Asekho Marubelela, 3 Siyasanga Dingezweni, 2 Zanokuhle Nkabi, 1 Xolani Jacobs. Subs: 16 Nande Lucas, 17 Lindokuhle Seteni, 18 Miyelani Ngobeni, 19 Ayabulela Zono, 20 Lithemba Ngcetane, 21 Lisolethu Valisi, 22 Yamkela Nyembe, 23 Khanya Solani. FNB CPUT – 15 Raven Chester Smith, 14 Christopher Andrews, 13 Bjorkan Hendricks, 12 Kieran Dreyden, 11 Tauriq Gamieldien, 10 Imibongo Vabaza (c), 9 Cuan Maree, 8 Phumlani Mkhaliphi, 7 Roland van der Heever, 6 Sesona Macala, 5 Bradley van Boven, 4 Joshua Paris, 3 Jacques-Lynn Josephus, 2 Damian Isaacs, 1 Onika Mgijima. Subs: 16 Lucien Phillips, 17 Dé-Angelo Williams, 18 Matthew Coenraad, 19 Anenceba Salman, 20 Ché Klaasen, 21 Hugan Engelbrecht, 22 Feghon-Leigh Snyders, 23 Nathan Nkutu. FNB Varsity Cup and Shield fixtures and logs

FNB CPUT overpowered the FNB UKZN Impi at Tuks Stadium on Sunday, while there were also Round 5 wins for the FNB TUT Vikings and FNB WSU All Blacks. FNB DUT RHINOS 6 (6) FNB TUT VIKINGS 61 (19) The FNB TUT Vikings scored nine tries in their win against the FNB DUT Rhinos, writes Bronwen Bain. Six of them came in the second half, which the Vikings dominated. However, FNB DUT showed great character to produce their best performance of the competition and will be particularly pleased with their first-half effort. It was the Rhinos who opened the scoring with a penalty goal from flyhalf Nelson Mhlongo, before lock LJ Viljoen scored FNB TUT’s first try. Centre Mauritz Maritz marked his return from a broken cheekbone with an interception try on his 21st birthday and when winger Erwee Robberzte scored in the right corner, the Vikings led 19-6. FNB DUT winger Luyolo Nkwanca was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle late in the first half but his team did not concede any points while down to 14 men. FNB TUT replacement lock Laro Delport went over from a driving maul in the 53rd minute and from then on, it was one-way traffic. Replacement centre Franco Stassen and flyhalf Lusanda Xakwana each scored two tries, before substitute prop Goabaona Mokone went over in the last minute for his team’s ninth. FNB Player That Rocks: Lusanda Xakwana (FNB TUT) FNB TUT Vikings – Tries: LJ Viljoen, Mauritz Maritz, Erwee Robberzte (2), Laro Delport, Franco Stassen (2), Lusanda Xakwana, Goabaona Mokone. Conversions: Lusanda Xakwana (8). FNB DUT Rhinos – Penalties: Nelson Mhlongo (2). FNB CPUT 53 (22) FNB UKZN IMPI 12 (5) FNB CPUT claimed a fifth consecutive bonus-point win to entrench their position at the top of the FNB Varsity Shield log, writes Dan Lombard. The Tekkies dominated the majority of the match, securing their bonus-point try just before half-time, although the Impi did show glimpses of their ability from time to time. It took less than two minutes for the men from the Cape to score their opening try as Asisipho Malotana dotted down. However, the wing had to sit in the naughty chair in the 15th minute, which FNB UKZN exploited shortly after when outside centre Wandile Shabangu did brilliantly to score in the right corner. It was blue and white after the first strategy break as the Tekkies attacked at will, with inside centre Lunathi Nxele, captain and flank Butsha Mputa and prop Matthew Coenraad all scoring tries. Flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders added a conversion to push the lead to 22-5 at half-time. FNB UKZN flank Menzi Mabaso showed great strength to power over early in the second half, but this proved to be the last time they would threaten the scoreboard. The Tekkies' discipline was poor, yet it didn't seem to affect them all that much despite losing Nxele and wing Nathan Nkutu to yellow cards. Scrumhalf Hugan Engelbrecht started an emphatic try-scoring spree for FNB CPUT as his efforts were followed by Nxele's brace, a second for Mputa while replacement back Björkan Hendricks and replacement lock Bradley van Boven completed an impressive haul. FNB Player That Rocks: Lunathi Nxele (FNB CPUT) FNB CPUT – Tries: Asisipho Malotana, Lunathi Nxele (2), Butsha Mputa (2), Matthew Coenraad, Hugan Engelbrecht, Björkan Hendricks, Bradley van Boven. Conversions: Feghon-Leigh Snyders, Imibongo Vabaza (3). FNB UKZN Impi – Tries: Wandile Shabangu, Menzi Mabaso; Conversions: Sibongile Novuka. FNB RHODES 10 (10) FNB WSU ALL BLACKS 63 (28) The FNB WSU All Blacks dotted down on nine occasions, including two penalty tries, as they trampled the Stallions, writes Dan Lombard. FNB Rhodes stunned their opponents with an aggressive game plan, bullying their way through collision after collision in the first 20. Flyhalf Matthew Royle knocked over a penalty before converting the try of outside centre Damian Morrow, who ran in hard and fast to leave a stunned FNB WSU scratching their heads. The first strategy break seemed to work as the calming, somewhat frustrated, voices of the All Blacks' management seemed to awake the Eastern Cape giants from their slumber, with captain and wing Litha Nkula running in a brace. FNB WSU grew more and more confident as the first stanza progressed, with the forwards' monstrous ability at scrum time earning themselves a penalty try. The Stallions must be commended on not faulting on defence as they fronted up on most occasions. However, such was the ferocity on attack by the All Blacks that lock Miyelani Ngobeni steamed through to score a bonus-point try that made it 28-10 at half-time. The second half only opened up in the 50th minute when replacement lock Simamkele Mphelo spent 10 minutes in the sin bin. FNB WSU capitalised on it with another penalty try and flyhalf Lisolethu Valisi then dotted down shortly before the second strategy break. The final 20 minutes provided three more tries courtesy of replacement flank Azola Mashalaba, wing Soyama Mini and lock Asekho Marubelela. Nkula converted all three to finish with a 24-point haul. FNB Player That Rocks: Litha Nkula (FNB WSU All Blacks) FNB Rhodes – Tries: Damian Morrow. Conversion: Matthew Royle. Penalty: Royle. FNB WSU All Blacks – Tries: Litha Nkula (2), penalty try (2), Miyelani Ngobeni, Lisolethu Valisi, Azola Mashalaba, Soyama Mini, Asekho Marubelela. Conversions: Nkula (7). FNB Varsity Shield teams (Round 5) The FNB Varsity Shield will continue on Tuesday with three Round 6 matches at Tuks Stadium, including a massive top-of-the-log clash between FNB CPUT and the FNB WSU All Blacks. FNB UFH Blues vs FNB DUT Rhinos (15:00) FNB TUT Vikings vs FNB Rhodes (17:00) FNB WSU All Blacks vs FNB CPUT (19:00) FNB UKZN Impi have a bye All three matches will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Rugby channel (211). FNB Varsity Cup and Shield fixtures and logs DOWNLOAD THE NEW FNB VARSITY CUP APP! App Store Google Play

All nine FNB Varsity Shield-winning teams will feature on the fourth Changing Lives banner at Tuks Stadium from Sunday. The FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield have been life-changing tournaments for rugby players, coaches, referees, fans and broadcasters. With this year's tournaments being played without fans in a bio-secure bubble at the University of Pretoria, Varsity Cup has used Tuks Stadium as a canvas to showcase those whose lives were changed by Rugby That Rocks. The first banner, which was displayed during the first FNB Varsity Cup bubble, featured 20 of the 48 FNB Varsity Cup players who have gone on to represent the Springboks. The second banner, for the first four rounds of the FNB Varsity Shield, celebrated FNB Varsity Cup and Shield success stories, while the Pink Shorts campaign was the focus of the third banner during Rounds 4-6 of the FNB Varsity Cup. The fourth banner, which will be displayed from 2-9 May during Rounds 4-7 of the FNB Varsity Shield as well as the final, features all the teams that have won the Shield since the tournament’s inception in 2011. They are: FNB CUT Ixias (three titles – 2011, 2013, 2014) FNB Wits (two titles – 2012, 2016) FNB UWC (two titles – 2017, 2018) FNB UKZN Impi (one title – 2015) FNB CPUT (one title – 2019) FNB CUT, FNB Wits and FNB UWC all earned promotion to the FNB Varsity Cup. The striking banner also features the late Chester Williams, who coached FNB UWC to their two FNB Varsity Shield titles, and FNB WSU, who perform the All Blacks’ haka before their matches. The Varsity Cup website is also producing a series of articles throughout the FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield on those whose lives were never the same again after experiencing Rugby That Rocks. Those featured already include former Blitzboks captain Kyle Brown, World Cup-winning former Springbok forwards coach Matt Proudfoot, World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, Springbok wing Raymond Rhule, World Cup-winning Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi, Italy coach Franco Smith and Bulls loose forward Tim Agaba. Also check out the videos by SuperSport presenters Cato Louw and Motshidisi Mohono, whose TV broadcasting careers were kick-started by the FNB Varsity Cup. FNB Varsity Shield final results: 2011: FNB CUT Ixias 25 FNB Wits 18 2012: FNB Wits 19 CUT Ixias 17 2013: FNB CUT Ixias 29 FNB UWC 19 2014: FNB CUT Ixias 35 UKZN Impi 26 2015: FNB UKZN Impi 29 FNB Wits 24 2016: FNB Wits 39 FNB UWC 2 2017: FNB UWC 45 FNB UFH Blues 2 2018: FNB UWC 55 FNB WSU All Blacks 10 2019: FNB CPUT 32 FNB Madibaz 28

FNB CUT overturned a 15-point half-time deficit to beat FNB Maties 23-18, while there were also Round 6 FNB Varsity Cup wins for FNB UFS Shimlas, FNB UWC and FNB NWU. FNB CUT IXIAS 23 (0) FNB MATIES 18 (15) FNB CUT recorded their greatest feat as they scored a last-minute try to beat FNB Maties at the Tuks B-Field, writes Dan Lombard. With the scores locked at 18-18, a spilt ball from Maties on halfway was picked up by FNB CUT lock Derik Pretorius, who stormed upfield before putting fullback Cohen Jasper away for the match-winning try. It is the first time that the three-time FNB Varsity Shield winners have beaten the five-time FNB Varsity Cup champions. As expected, the massive storm in Pretoria during the night and long into the morning, caused both teams to struggle to assert themselves as unforced errors ruled the day. The Maroon Machine found their attacking groove on one occasion as scrumhalf Lian du Toit was on hand to receive the final pass to score an early point-of-origin try. However, the first half dissolved into a stop-start affair, with opportunities to attack being stifled by mistakes and the remaining points coming courtesy of flyhalf Christian Schreuder's boot. A yellow card to FNB Maties flank Mitchell Carstens allowed the Ixias to fan the flames on attack, which they capitalised on off a powerful lineout drive with flank Hans Terblanche being credited with the try. With their tails up, FNB CUT were rampant on attack and received their just rewards as inside centre Heino Bezuidenhout smashed his way over for an unconverted try just before the second strategy break. A penalty apiece by the kickers saw the scores level until Jasper snatched a dramatic win for the Ixias. FNB Player That Rocks: Zinedine Booysen (FNB CUT Ixias) FNB CUT Ixias – Tries: Hans Terblanche, Heino Bezuidenhout, Cohen Jasper. Conversion: Charles Williams. Penalties: Williams (2). FNB Maties – Try: Lian du Toit (1x7). Conversion: Christian Schreuder. Penalties: Schreuder (3). FNB MADIBAZ 20 (5) FNB UFS SHIMLAS 24 (12) FNB UFS Shimlas scored an 81st-minute try against the FNB Madibaz to record their first win of the 2021 FNB Varsity Cup, writes Dan Lombard. The Free Staters opted to kick a late penalty to touch rather than at goal, which would have given them a draw. And that bold approach paid off as replacement wing Luyanda Mkhize scored in the right-hand corner. Much like the earlier match on the Tuks B-Field, proceedings were dampened by the conditions. However, it did little to prevent Shimlas from running from all areas on the pitch as they capitalised on the Madibaz’s poor discipline. Shimlas inside centre JP Duvenage knocked over four penalties to hand them a 12-0 lead at the first strategy break, before FNB Madibaz lock Hardus van Eeden crashed over from a lineout for an unconverted try. The second half belonged to the men from the Eastern Cape as an early penalty coupled with two tries courtesy of wing Nkoka Ngobe and prop Le-Kleu Stokes gave them a slender lead, despite Shimlas scoring a try via inside centre Janco Klinck. But the men from Bloemfontein snatched victory when Mkhize – who had just come off the bench – touched down in the corner, with Duvenage adding the conversion. FNB Player That Rocks: Luyolo Dapula (FNB Madibaz) FNB Madibaz – Tries: Hardus van Eeden, Nkoka Ngobe, Le-Kleu Stokes. Conversion: Tiaan Schutte. Penalty: Tiaan Schutte. FNB UFS Shimlas – Tries: Janco Klinck, Luyanda Mkhize. Conversion: JP Duvenage. Penalties: Duvenage (4). FNB UWC 31 (0) FNB UJ 5 (5) FNB UWC scored three second-half tries to claim a comfortable win against FNB UJ at Loftus Versfeld, writes Bronwen Bain. FNB UJ scored the only try of a tight first half, but it was the Capetonians who dominated the second, with two late tries by centre André Manuel inflating the score. After an uneventful first 20 minutes, FNB UJ broke the deadlock when winger Prince Nkabinde powered over from close range to score. FNB UWC were reduced to 14 men late in the first half when lock Bronlee Mouries was yellow-carded for collapsing an FNB UJ maul. However, they did not concede any points while he was off the field. FNB UWC scrumhalf Branden de Kock kicked a penalty early in the second half before FNB UJ No 8 Siyabonga Masuku was sent to the sin-bin. Four minutes later, FNB UWC replacement flyhalf Ethan Diston scored a superb point-of-origin try, with De Kock kicking the conversion and then adding a penalty to make it 15-5. FNB UJ had more than one chance to get back into the game but their execution and finishing cost them. FNB UWC then sealed the deal when Manuel ran in two late tries, the first a seven-pointer, to secure their second win of the competition. FNB Player That Rocks: Justin Theys (FNB UWC) FNB UJ – Try: Prince Nkabinde. FNB UWC – Tries: Ethan Diston (1x7), André Manuel (1x7, 1x5). Conversions: Branden de Kock (3). Penalties: De Kock (2). FNB NWU EAGLES 22 (6) FNB WITS 20 (5) Flyhalf Keagan Fortune kicked an 82nd-minute penalty goal to give the FNB NWU Eagles a dramatic win at Loftus Versfeld, writes Bronwen Bain. It was Fortune’s fifth penalty in a match that was played in pouring rain for most of the first half. He punished the indiscipline of FNB Wits, who outscored their opponents by three tries to one and took a 20-19 lead in the 79th minute. FNB Wits came into this match with confidence having thrashed the FNB Madibaz on Tuesday, while FNB NWU were looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing loss to FNB Maties. As the rain bucketed down at Loftus, Fortune kicked an early penalty for FNB NWU before prop Keagan Glade went over for FNB Wits’ first try. FNB Wits were dealt a heavy blow after losing experienced lock Kevin du Randt, who was stretchered off the field, and Fortuin’s second penalty gave the Eagles a slender 6-5 lead at half-time. No 8 Travis Gordon showed great strength and skill to score FNB Wits’ second try early in the second half, but Fortune’s boot reduced the deficit to one. In the 57th minute, FNB Wits flyhalf Kurt Webster was red-carded for a shoulder charge and FNB NWU finally gained momentum through the maul, with replacement hooker Gustav du Rand scoring his seventh try of the tournament. Their lead was short-lived, however, as FNB Wits centre Yanga Hlalu sliced through the defence to score under the posts and fullback Christian Humphries’ first conversion of the evening put his side ahead 17-16. Fortune and Humphries then exchanged penalties, but it was the Eagles No 10 who would have the final say. FNB Player That Rocks: Chuiner van Rooyen (FNB NWU Eagles) FNB NWU Eagles – Try: Gustav du Rand. Conversion: Keagan Fortune. Penalty: Fortune (5). FNB Wits – Tries: Keagan Glade, Travis Gordon, Yanga Hlalu. Conversion: Christian Humphries. Penalty: Humphries. FNB UP-TUKS vs FNB UCT IKEYS Friday’s other Round 6 match, between FNB UP-Tuks and FNB UCT Ikeys, was cancelled in line with Covid-19 protocols and declared a 0-0 draw. Both teams received two log points. FNB Varsity Cup teams (Round 6) Having resolved their internal challenges, the WSU All Blacks will continue to play in the FNB Varsity Shield when the tournament resumes on Sunday. The following Round 5 matches will take place at Tuks Stadium: FNB DUT Rhinos vs FNB TUT Vikings (15:00) FNB CPUT vs FNB UKZN Impi (17:00) FNB Rhodes vs FNB WSU All Blacks (19:00) FNB UFH Blues have a bye All three matches will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Rugby channel (211). FNB Varsity Cup and Shield fixtures and logs DOWNLOAD THE NEW FNB VARSITY CUP APP! App Store Google Play Photos: Brendan Croft/Catherine Kotze/Varsity Cup

Friday’s FNB Varsity Cup match between FNB UP-Tuks and FNB UCT Ikeys at Loftus Versfeld has been cancelled in line with Covid-19 protocols. This comes after three FNB UP-Tuks players tested positive for Covid-19. The three players, their roommates at the Tuks High-Performance Centre and other close contacts will be removed from the FNB Varsity Cup Village, which means UP-Tuks will be unable to field a team for Friday’s match. Both teams have agreed that the match cannot be rescheduled to take place during the third FNB Varsity Cup bubble as it would result in too many games in a short space of time and have a negative impact on their preparations for the semi-finals and possible final. Therefore, in line with the FNB Varsity Cup bye-laws, the match will be declared a 0-0 draw with both teams receiving two log points. “We always knew that this would be a possibility,” says Varsity Cup Tournament Director Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi of the positive Covid-19 test results. “We have dealt with it according to the Covid-19 protocols and put player safety first. “The two teams involved and the Covid-19 Committee doctors have been consulted throughout and we are working hard to establish where the exposure could have stemmed from. “We are preparing to fog the Varsity Cup Village ahead of the FNB Varsity Shield teams moving in on Saturday, which is standard procedure after each bubble.” The match between FNB UWC and FNB UJ, which had been scheduled to kick off at Loftus Versfeld at 15:00, will now move into the timeslot previously allocated to the FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB UCT Ikeys match (17:00). The revised FNB Varsity Cup lineup for Round 6 is as follows: FNB CUT Ixias vs FNB Maties (14:00, Tuks B-Field, DStv Now channel 245) FNB Madibaz vs FNB UFS Shimlas (16:00, Tuks B-Field, DStv Now channel 245) FNB UWC vs FNB UJ (17:00, Loftus Versfeld, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB NWU Eagles vs FNB Wits (19:00, Loftus Versfeld, SuperSport Rugby channel 211) FNB Varsity Cup and Shield fixtures and logs DOWNLOAD THE NEW FNB VARSITY CUP APP! App Store Google Play

FNB Wits co-captain Constant Beckerling has etched his name into FNB Varsity Cup folklore with his passionate post-match interviews. The 25-year-old loose forward is currently enjoying his final season of Rugby That Rocks, having racked up 94 caps for the Witsies (16 Shield, 35 Cup, and another 43). Beckerling is also making waves in his chosen field of chemical engineering. He co-founded AgriSmart Engineering and is busy developing a better strain of cannabis for his Masters' dissertation. VarsityCup.co.za asked him ... What exactly is AgriSmart Engineering and why did you and co-founder Anlo van Wyk start this venture? AgriSmart Engineering is an agri-tech company. We develop novel cultivation technologies. At the moment, we are focused on cannabis cultivation tech. Our technologies are disruptive in nature and will force people to change the way they think about cultivating cannabis. We started the company to protect the sovereignty of the African cannabis economy. Africa is bound to be ravaged by corporate greed and the local populace will be exploited. All created value will be exported. We have seen a myriad of imported cultivation IP which is unintuitive, unsuitable to local growing environments and does not make provision for responsible withdrawal of our natural resources. Currently, the carbon footprint of the industry is staggering and it is not sustainable. It is important to develop the industry in a sustainable manner. At the end of the day, you can’t eat or breathe money. The planet needs to come first – someone needs to draw a line in the sand. We are those people. AgriSmart Engineering received special recognition from the Gauteng Development Agency's Innovation Hub for using bioscience algorithms and artificial intelligence [AI] to cultivate high-yielding cannabis crops. In laymen's terms, what does that entail? We have been developing the blueprint for a modular cannabis cultivation facility for some time now. This has been an iterative process. In an African context, our main competitive advantage is our superior solar radiation, while our major weakness is severe water stress. Our strategy is to play to our strengths while mitigating our weaknesses. This is why our design is centered around a closed-loop, recirculating hydroponic system. On top of this, we build our own LED grow lights. These are ‘smart lights’, as they are able to monitor environmental inputs and adjust their output accordingly. They would brighten or dim automatically as the environment dictates, resulting in the most efficient grow possible. The ‘base fixtures’ are already significantly better than the industry standard high-intensity discharge [HID] fixtures, while implementing the AI algorithms will take them to the next level. These are currently in the research and development phase. Considering there is a multitude of plants that contain medicinal qualities, why did AgriSmart Engineering specifically choose cannabis? Firstly, we are passionate about cannabis cultivation and it makes us happy. Secondly, cannabis could be Africa’s new cash crop. It has the potential to lift millions of people out of poverty. Our goal is to help facilitate this ideal. Where do you wish AgriSmart Engineering to evolve? We see ourselves becoming a major player in the agri-tech and tech sectors. We would love to have the same sort of impact as a Tesla or an Apple. Has AgriSmart Engineering experienced any setbacks with the cannabis exercise? Most definitely. The one constant when it comes to cannabis cultivation is that setbacks are a part of it. It’s like a rugby game, or like life: everything doesn’t always go your way. The important thing is to stay true to your dream and believe in yourself. Following that, just some good, old-fashioned hard work. You carry an almost talisman appeal as co-captain for FNB Wits. Could you divulge to our Fans That Rock your FNB Varsity Cup experience, as this chapter of your career will be coming to an end soon? I'm forever grateful to have experienced many unique and wonderful parts of our rich, rugby heritage. I think having played both Varsity Shield and Varsity Cup, I have a more complete perspective. It is equally special to play Fort Hare in Alice as it is to play Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium. Everyone has their part to play in making South African rugby a stronger product. Each of us weaves our own unique thread into the beautiful tapestry that is South African rugby. I have seen rugby fans embrace their team in every corner of the country and it has been a remarkable journey. Rugby, in South Africa, is synonymous with hope and unity. I count myself lucky to have made many friends along the way. FNB Wits have improved in leaps and bounds since joining the FNB Varsity Cup. Where do you see your beloved team heading to over the next few seasons? I want to see them believe in themselves as much as I do. It is a special thing to be part of a small group of people who take on the world. I want them to keep putting on their jerseys with pride and to never give up. I want them to remember where it is they come from and to stay true to themselves. Somewhere down the line, if they keep fighting as the Witsies do, they could achieve something truly remarkable. That being said, don’t count us out [of this year's tournament] just yet. What's next for Constant Beckerling rugby-wise? Maybe a few beers and some touch rugby with friends. Other than that, if Rassie Erasmus or Jacques Nienaber phones me tomorrow, I’ll put in a shift.

Bulls loose forward and Blitzbok Tim Agaba believes he wouldn’t have become a professional rugby player without the FNB Varsity Cup. Agaba was born in Kampala, Uganda, before moving at a young age with his family to the Transkei and then East London. He attended Stirling High School and played for Border at the U18 Craven Week in 2007. Agaba signed a junior contract with the Sharks, but injuries restricted him to just two appearances for their U21 team in 2010 and he returned home at the end of 2011. “I wasn’t afforded the opportunity to stay on at the Sharks and play for the senior side,” he tells VarsityCup.co.za. “My dad had said that if I wasn’t making money from playing rugby then I needed to study and get a real job. So I went to NMU to study and just play rugby for fun.” However, Agaba would be given the life-changing opportunity to represent the FNB Madibaz in the FNB Varsity Cup from 2012 to 2014. And he made the most of it, with his performances in the 2013 tournament earning him selection for the Eastern Province Kings. Agaba went on to represent the Blitzboks at the 2016 Olympic Games before signing for the Bulls in 2017, and in July he will further his career with French club US Carcassonne. Agaba reflects fondly on his time with the FNB Madibaz. They had finished second last on the FNB Varsity Cup log in 2011, but under coach Brent Janse van Rensburg they came fifth in 2012 and then reached the semi-finals for the first time in 2013. “Brent is one of the most professional coaches I’ve ever worked with,” says Agaba. “That was a pleasant surprise for me. He brought a bunch of guys together who believed in what he wanted to do. Brent wasn’t happy with the state of rugby at NMU and wanted to change things drastically. And he did.” In 2013, the Madibaz needed to beat a star-studded FNB UP-Tuks team in their last match of the league stage in Port Elizabeth to finish fourth on the log ahead of FNB NWU-Pukke on points difference. They claimed a famous 13-7 victory but didn’t realise, at first, what they had achieved. “We thought we had to win by a bigger margin to reach the semi-finals, so some of the guys were crying in the change room afterwards,” says Agaba. “A few minutes later, the news came through that we had actually made the semis!” The FNB Madibaz came agonisingly close to reaching the final that year, with late conversion and penalty goal misses against FNB Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium resulting in a 16-15 defeat. They would suffer a similar fate in their 2014 semi-final against FNB NWU-Pukke in Potchefstroom, with a late penalty giving the hosts a 19-18 win. While those one-point defeats hurt, Agaba is proud to have been part of the best FNB Madibaz teams to have participated in the FNB Varsity Cup. The 31-year-old is also grateful for the role the tournament played in reviving his rugby career. “The Varsity Cup was everything to me, it was my rugby lifeline,” he says. “I wonder to this day where I would be rugby-wise if not for the Varsity Cup and the opportunity NMU gave me.” – This is the seventh instalment in a series of FNB Varsity Cup Changing Lives articles focusing on those whose lives were forever changed by Rugby That Rocks.

FNB CUT Ixias tighthead prop Janu Botha will join Griquas after this year's FNB Varsity Cup. Botha quit rugby two-and-a-half years ago to become a chef, but the Covid-19 pandemic prompted his return to the game. Last November, the 124kg front-ranker got a call from FNB CUT team manager Skillie Bester, who said they were looking for a tighthead. After sitting down with head coach Pieter Bergh, Botha decided that he still had a point to prove on the rugby field and committed himself to their 2021 campaign. And prove it he has. The 25-year-old has starred for a CUT side that won their first four matches of the FNB Varsity Cup season. As a result, Botha was offered a life-changing contract with Griquas that runs until the end of 2022. “It's great to have Janu coming on board," Griquas coach Scott Mathie told OFM Sport. "He has been through the process of playing in the Varsity Cup for a few years [having previously played for FNB UFS Shimlas]. “The work he has been doing, especially this year, is starting to pay off. We think it's the right time for him to get a chance at the next level. “He is going to bring energy [to Griquas] and he has a lot of potential with regard to scrummaging, so we look forward to that.” FNB CUT's next FNB Varsity Cup clash is against FNB Maties on Friday (14:00, DStv Now, channel 245). Photos: Catherine Kotze/Varsity Cup