Defending champions Steinhoff Bastion will face Steinhoff Drom in the finals of the Steinhoff UJ koshuis Liga final on Thursday. Steinhoff Bastion qualified for the final by ending in pole position after the round robin phase of the league. Steinhoff Drom ending second had to play a semifinal against Steinhoff Oppieriff who they beat 10-8 to reach the final. In the B-section the final will be played between Steinhoff SWC who are unbeaten, and Steinhoff Vorendag who ended second in the League. After The A-section final the Steinhoff UJ Barbarian team will be announced that will play four games against Steinhoff Barbarian teams from NWU-Pukke and UP-Tuks. Steinhoff UJ Koshuis Finals Date:Thursday 21 August Venue: UJ Stadium B-field B-Division Final Steinhoff SWC vs Steinhoff Vorendag - 18.30 A-Division Final Steinhoff Bastion vs Steinhoff Drom - 20h00

After nine weeks of hard-fought rugby, the final four NMMU Madibaz teams that will take each other on in the internal Steinhoff Koshuis rugby semifinals have been confirmed. Steinhoff Northernz, Stallions, Pointers and Harlequins are the four sides that will compete for their spot in the final. Earlier this week the Steinhoff Northernz took down the Steinhoff Harlequins in a hard-hitting match to walk away with a 10-0 win and continue their impressive record in the tournament. The Northernz won by two tries, one from fullback and team manager Bean van Eeden and one from wing Johannes Jacobs. The team pulled off the win despite being penalised with two yellow cards. Steinhoff Northernz have been the team to watch and have won all nine of their games since the start of the tournament in March. They are hungry for the Steinhoff Koshuis Rugby champions' title after losing by just one point to Steinhoff Oppidani in the final last year. The internal log leaders will play off against the Steinhoff Harlequins, who are fourth on the standings, to secure their spot in the prestigious intervarsity competition. In another Koshuis rugby match, the Steinhoff Pointers took on Steinhoff Bay XV and emerged victorious by a 16-13 margin. The Pointers ended third overall on the log and will challenge the second-ranked team, the Steinhoff Stallions, in the other semifinal. The Steinhoff Koshuis Rugby final will follow on Thursday, August 28, at the Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Results: 13 August Steinhoff Northernz 10 Steinhoff Harlequins Steinhoff Oppidani 0 Steinhoff Laboria 32 Steinhoff Bay xv 13 Steinhoff Pointers 16 Steinhoff Xanadu 10 Steinhoff Stallions 10 Steinhoff Rangers 32 Steinhoff Oceans 0

Former FNB UCT utility back Damian de Allende will become the latest FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International star to get his Springbok colours this weekend. The Stormers centre has been picked to partner Springbok captain Jean de Villiers in the midfield for the Rugby Championship clash with Argentina at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. He joins fellow former Varsity Cup stars such as Lood de Jager (NWU-Pukke), Handre Pollard (UP-Tuks), Trevor Nyakane (CUT) and Eben Etzebeth (UCT) in the Springbok match-day squad. De Allende was a stand out member of the 2012 Ikeys Varsity Cup squad under then coach Kevin Foote. A fast, hard running payer, he is a banker when it comes to crossing the gainline, but also has an excellent pass – something that Western Province learned to appreciate when he was picked in the 2012 Vodacom Cup squad. De Allende then took a big step up and played in place of then injured De Villiers and was able to add a Currie Cup trophy to an outstanding season in 2012 where he started the final with Bok centre Juan de Jongh on his outside. Another prominent Ikeys Bok of course also played in that Currie Cup final – powerhouse lock Etzebeth who had won the 2011 Varsity Cup with UCT. The 22-year-old De Allende was set to debut in the June Tests having been part of the Springbok training squad, but an injury delayed his first cap. De Allende said he was overwhelmed when Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer broke the news on Wednesday that he would make his debut. "It [the injury withdrawal] put a bit of a doubt in my head, but hard work pays off and I am fortunate enough to get a call up," De Allende said. "It is my first international, so it is going to be a great challenge I know we've had success against them in the past." He added that he will look to rely on what has got him to this position as he takes the next step up in his career. "Anything can happen and playing the situation at that time is probably the right thing to do. "There is obviously a lot of pressure for a player on their debut. "Heyneke [Meyer] said I should just go out there and enjoy myself and try and play the way I played in Super Rugby."

FNB UKZN scrumhalves Cameron Wright and Hanco Venter both made their Currie Cup debuts for the Sharks in their victory over the Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday. Both scrumhalves represented UKZN teams this year, and after a number of outstanding performances, elevation to the provincial set-up is just reward. In addition, lock Johan Wagenaar continues to feature for the Sharks U21 team while flanker and captain Lwazi Ncgungama has been selected for the Sharks Clubs XV. UKZN's globetrotting Zimbabwe internationals Shayne Makombe and Matt Mandioma have recently returned from their Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign. Zimbabwe beat Kenya and Madagascar to end up tie first with Namibia in the Africa qualifying tournament, but somewhat controversially lost out on automatic RWC qualification due to points difference. The Zimbabwe team then travelled to Siberia, where they unfortunately narrowly lost their last RWC play-off match against Russia.

FNB UJ secured another Predator League crown when they beat Raiders 33-24 in the final. The FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International side were in control throughout, and despite despite two late tries from Raiders the students cruised to another victory. Aphiwe Dyanti opened the scoring, and tries either side of half-time along with the steady boot of flyhalf Jamie Campbell saw UJ take the title. Raiders responded with late tries from Wensley Mbanje and Jimmy Baloyi, but it was not enough as UJ held out for the victory. It was UJ's third victory over Raiders in the last four years and sees them retain their title in the Predator League.

FNB UP-Tuks claimed the Carlton League title by beating Pretoria Police 35-13 in the final. Two tries from hooker Sydney Tobias put the students 12-3 up at half-time, and they never looked back as they went on to claim the silverware. It was a physical clash throughout, with both sides having players sent to the sin bin, but the well-drilled UP-Tuks side took their opportunities better on the day. The Police scored two tries of their own in the second half to set up a tense finish to the match, with UP-Tuks reduced to 13 men at one stage. However, they held on well to secure the victory, showing great character as the Police threw absolutely everything at them in the final stages.

The derby between Steinhoff Monash and the MGI Tigers in the Wits internal league was a thriller which Monash edged 26-24. Once the boys from Ruimsig had racked up an eighteen point half time lead in front of their very vocal supporters it seemed the game was over as a contest. The Midrand team had other ideas however and living up to their "Tigers" nickname, clawed their way back into the contest with three second half tries all of which were converted. In the other game in the Wits internal league, Steinhoff Engineers ran out comfortable winners against Steinhoff Mens Residence. The Raiders made their first appearance after the winter break when they came up against an in form Steinhoff Engineers combination in the early match. Lack of match fitness was clearly evident as the men in red struggled to contain a rampant 'Geers team in the first half. Steinhoff Engineers went 24-0 in front midway through the second stanza before Raiders managed to get on the scoreboard. A last minute try secured the bonus point win for Steinhoff Engineers.

A 36-11 victory over Steinhoff Kanniedood saw Bastion move to the top of the Steinhoff UJ Koshuis league. A hat-trick of tries from centre Jarred Branco saw Bastion to a comfortable victory in the end to put them two log points clear of Steinhoff Drom. Drom were held to a 8-8 draw by Steinhoff Oppierif as both sided scored one try and kicked a penalty. For Steinhoff Drom Riaan Scheepers was their star player and for Steinhoff Oppierif scrumhalf Wezi Mandla stood out. In the B-section Steinhoff DFC beat new comers city Waldorf 56-7. Steinhoff UJ Koshuis league table: (Under played, won, points) 1. Steinhoff Bastion (8, 6, 28) 2. Steinhoff Drom (8, 5, 26) 3. Steinhoff Kanniedood (8, 6, 22) 4. Steinhoff Oppierif (8, 4, 22) 5. Steinhoff Chiros (8, 2, 12) 6. Steinhoff Mjuba (8, 0, 0)

Steinhoff Onderstepoort continued their unbeaten run in the Steinhoff UP-Tuks Koshuis league with a 35-26 victory over Mopanie. In a replay of last year's final the defending champions showed their true mettle, and despite a strong start from Mopanie, they managed to fight their way back and secure the victory. In the other match in the first division Steinhoff Maroela handed Steinhoff Boekenhout a 20-0 defeat. In the Under-20 league Steinhoff Sonop still lead the way and in the second division it is Steinhoff Geelhout that tops the table. Steinhoff Tuks Barbarian team: 15 Kobus Eloff - Steinhoff Sonop 14 Donald Crawford - Steinhoff OP 13 Brink Botha - Steinhoff OP 12 Wynand Bezuidenhout - Steinhoff Mopanie 11 Lourens Weyer - Steinhoff Mopanie 10 Nicolaas Bester - Steinhoff OP 9 Albert Jordaan - Steinhoff Mopanie 8 Pieter Griesel - Steinhoff Sonop 7 Rosche Cronje - Steinhoff OP 6 Christiaan du Toit - Steinhoff Mopanie 5 Andries Lesch - Steinhoff OP 4 Boeta Erasmus - Steinhoff Sonop 3 Dario Cremona - Steinhoff OP 2 Derek Botha - Steinhoff Sonop 1 Pepler Stander - Steinhoff Maroela 16 Jeandre Taljaard - Steinhoff Maroela 17 Tiaan Heenop - Steinhoff Mopanie 18 Tiaan Visser - Steinhoff OP 19 Sipho Siboza - Steinhoff Sonop 20 Hanro Cloete - Steinhoff Sonop 21 Dean Alberts - Steinhoff Mopanie 22 Werner Els - Steinhoff Sonop 23 Wikus Olivier - Steinhoff Maroela

The FNB TUT Vikings beat NWU Vaal 39-26 in a thrilling promotion/relegation play-off in Pretoria on Saturday to keep their place in the FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International next year. Having finished in last place this year, TUT had to earn their place in the competition next season by beating NWU Vaal who won the 'C' Section of the USSA tournament in Grahamstown this year. It was intense from the outset as the teams tore into each other in the early stages, and there was no separating them as they went into half-time deadlocked at 21-21. The contenders NWU Vaal took the early lead with two tries putting them 13-0 up inside the opening 20 minutes. With their Varsity Shield place on the line, hosts TUT needed a response and scored two converted tries of their own to take a 16-13 lead. They stretched that further when lock Claude Johannes produced a moment of individual brilliance which saw him storm over from his own half with the ball in one hand, but NWU Vaal hit back just before the break as the sides went into half-time locked up at 21-21. Three unanswered tries in the second half saw TUT build up a comfortable 39-21 lead at the second strategy break, leaving NWU Vaal with plenty to do in order to break into the Varsity Shield. They threw absolutely everything at the Vikings and managed to score a try, but it was too little too late as TUT held on to secure their place in the Varsity Shield next season. The scorers: For FNB TUT Vikings: Tries: Truter, Burger, Johannes, Herd, Olivier, Smuts Cons: Afrika 3 For NWU Vaal: Tries: Oosthuizen 3, Thompson Cons: Vian Steynen 2

FNB Varsity Cup The youthful FNB Ikey Tigers squad took some valuable experience from the recent USSA championships in Grahamstown according to wing Lihleli Xoli. The reigning FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International champions ended in sixth place in the 'A' section of the national tournament after winning one of their three games, and Xoli said that it had been an important stepping stone for the youthful squad. =Day One kicked off with a local derby, the Tigers taking on fellow Cape side FNB Maties. The game was a hard-fought affair which UCT narrowly lost 32-33. Each side gave it their all, but the Tigers missed out on the win with a missed penalty kick late in the second half. Speaking about the impact the initial loss had on the rest of the games, Xoli said: "I think it allowed a lot of the younger players to learn going forward in the tournament. The loss on the first day gave the team a chance to change around and experiment with different combinations thereafter." And change things around they did. The Tigers bounced back on the second day of the tournament with a 29-24 over NMMU. While the Madibaz did their best to overcome the reigning Varsity Cup champions, it wasn't enough and UCT snatched the win. While expected to carry forward that momentum the next day, the team finished up their performance at the games with a 19-22 loss against FNB UFS-Shimlas. When asked about what he believes went wrong in the match, Xoli said 'we ran out of time'. With the win, the Shimlas took fifth place overall, coming in just behind the Maties. Third place went to FNB NWU-Pukke, who managed to beat Stellenbosch on the last day 17-10. The ultimate prize was taken away by FNB UP-Tuks, who beat-out defending champions FNB UJ 37-29 on the final day. Speaking about the fact that UCT put up a squad containing a lot of younger players, and the benefits of this, Xoli said: "Obviously the younger players brought in hunger and drive to want to prove their worth and stake their claim for next year’s squad." And lastly, giving his opinion on the overall value of a tournament of this nature, he said: "I think it’s a good tournament to bleed youngsters in, and it’s good to have those players who perhaps missed out of Varsity Cup to get their chance at a competitive level. "Also, there are other teams that play each other who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to do so in their routine leagues," he went on. The Ikey Tigers now have a small break before they begin preparations for the second half of the WP Super League, their first game of which is on July 26.

FNB UP-Tuks took the spoils at USSA in Grahamstown by beating defending champions UJ 37-29 in the Final on Friday. The Pretoria side may have lost their Varsity Cup crown this year, but they showed that they can never be taken lightly by winning all of their games at the tournament hosted by Rhodes University this week. Third place was claimed by FNB NWU-Pukke who secured a 17-10 victory over FNB Maties on the final day whilst FNB UFS-Shimlas finished fifth by beating Varsity Cup champions FNB UCT 22-19 and FNB NMMU took seventh by beating FNB Wits 26-22. In the 'B' section it was Varsity Shield champions FNB CUT who took the spoils with a 27-22 victory over FNB TUT in the final which showed just why they will be playing in the Varsity Cup next year. Third place went to UWC who secured a 36-13 win over Varsity College, whilst beaten Varsity Shield finalists UKZN proved too strong for hosts Rhodes to claim fifth and Tisan beat FNB Fort Hare 43-10 to take seventh. NWU-Vaal will play a promotion/relegation play-off with TUT in Pretoria on July 9 for a chance to play in the Varsity Shield next year after claiming a hard-fought 24-18 victory over CPUT in the 'C' section final. Other results in the C section saw NMMU George take third with a 47-19 win against WSU BCC and MUT and WSU IBIKA finish fifth and seventh respectively after wins against Zululand and Limpopo. USSA Day Three results: Section A TUKS 37-29 UJ NWU Puk 17-10 Maties Shimlas 22-19 UCT NMMU 26-22 WITS Section B CUT 27-22 TUT PTA UWC 36-13 VC UKZN 47-14 Rhodes Tisan 43-10 UFH Section C NWU Vaal 24-18 CPUT NMMU George 47-19 WSU BCC MUT 24-0 Zululand WSU IBIKA 27-8 Limpopo Section D VUT 43-20 TUT B WSU Mthata 35-28 Invatation XV Venda 32-25 Mafikeng