2015 Varsity Shield
CountriesSouth Africa
Date2 February – 6 April 2015
ChampionsUKZN Impi (1st title)
Runners-upWits
PromotedNone
Matches played21
Tries scored173
(average 8.2 per match)
Top point scorerBrandan Hewitt (133)
Top try scorerJames Verity-Amm (11)

The 2015 Varsity Shield was contested from 2 February to 6 April 2015. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the fifth season of the Varsity Shield, an annual second-tier inter-university rugby union competition featuring five South African universities.

The tournament was won by UKZN Impi for the first time; they beat Wits 29–24 in the final played on 6 April 2015. No team was promoted to the top-tier Varsity Cup competition for 2016.

Competition rules and information

There were five participating universities in the 2015 Varsity Shield. These teams played each other twice over the course of the season, once at home and once away.

Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top two teams qualified for the title play-offs. The team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished second.

There was no promotion/relegation between the Varsity Cup and the Varsity Shield at the end of 2015.

The 2015 Varsity Shield used a different scoring system than the common scoring system. Tries were worth five points as usual, but conversions were worth three points instead of two, while penalties and drop goals were only worth two points instead of three.[1]

Teams

Location of teams in the 2015 Varsity Shield

The following teams took part in the 2015 Varsity Shield competition:

2015 Varsity Shield teams
Team name University Stadium
TUT VikingsTshwane University of TechnologyTUT Stadium, Pretoria
UFH BluesUniversity of Fort HareDavidson Rugby Field, Alice
UKZN ImpiUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalHoward College Rugby Stadium, Durban
Peter Booysen Sports Park, Pietermaritzburg
UWCUniversity of the Western CapeUWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town
WitsUniversity of the WitwatersrandWits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg

Standings

The final league standings for the 2015 Varsity Shield were:[2]

2015 Varsity Shield standings
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1Wits8620407162+24555237035
2UKZN Impi8602273165+10839234028
3UWC8422259165+9437234024
4UFH Blues8206108320–21215454012
5TUT Vikings8008133368–2352052213

Round-by-round

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:

Team Progression – 2015 Varsity Shield
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 Final
Wits 0
(3rd)		 5
(2nd)		 10
(1st)		 15
(1st)		 18
(1st)		 18
(1st)		 23
(1st)		 28
(1st)		 33
(1st)		 35
(1st)		 Lost
UKZN Impi 4
(2nd)		 9
(1st)		 9
(2nd)		 9
(2nd)		 13
(2nd)		 17
(2nd)		 22
(2nd)		 23
(2nd)		 23
(2nd)		 28
(2nd)		 Won
UWC 0
(5th)		 0
(4th)		 4
(4th)		 9
(3rd)		 12
(3rd)		 12
(3rd)		 12
(3rd)		 17
(3rd)		 22
(3rd)		 24
(3rd)		 —
UFH Blues 5
(1st)		 5
(3rd)		 5
(3rd)		 6
(4th)		 6
(4th)		 11
(4th)		 11
(4th)		 11
(4th)		 11
(4th)		 11
(4th)		 —
TUT Vikings 0
(3rd)		 0
(5th)		 1
(5th)		 2
(5th)		 2
(5th)		 2
(5th)		 3
(5th)		 3
(5th)		 3
(5th)		 3
(5th)		 —
Key: win draw loss bye

Fixtures

The 2015 Varsity Shield fixtures were released as follows:

  • All times are South African (GMT+2).

Round one

The TUT Vikings hooker and captain Hamish Herd scored two tries to help his side to a 21–16 victory over UFH Blues in Pretoria to initially end the round in second spot. However, this result was later expunged and the fixture was awarded as a win to UFH Blues, with a scoreline of 0–0. This meant that UFH Blues moved into topped the log after Round One. The UKZN Impi moved into second spot on the log following a 16–5 victory over UWC in Cape Town, with fly-half Inny Radebe scoring a try and two conversions for the away side, ahead of joint-third sides TUT Vikings and newly relegated Wits who had a bye in this round. UWC were bottom of the log after the first round.[3]

2 February 2015 UWC 5–16 UKZN Impi UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
16:45 Try: Gavian Cloete rugby ball 56'
Con: Quaid Langeveldt (0/1)		 Report[4]
Scoreboard[5]		 Try: Marius Louw rugby ball 31'
Inny Radebe rugby ball 54'
Con: Inny Radebe rugby goalposts icon 32', 55' (2/2)		 Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
2 February 2015 TUT Vikings 0–0 UFH Blues TUT Stadium, Pretoria  
19:00 Try: Hamish Herd rugby ball 9', 42'
Vian Riekert rugby ball 75'
Con: Paul Walters rugby goalposts icon 10', 43' (2/2)
Dylan du Buisson (0/1)		 Report[6]
Scoreboard[7]		 Try: Aziyena Mandaba rugby ball 16'
Con: Sivakele Ulana rugby goalposts icon 17' (1/1)
Pen: Sivakele Ulana rugby goalposts icon 26', 34', 40', 59' (4/5)		 Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Bye/s: Wits

Round two

A hat-trick from centre Marcel Coetzee helped UKZN Impi to a comprehensive 68–5 victory over TUT Vikings to increase their lead at the top of the log to four points, with TUT dropping to bottom of the log. Wits played their first match of the campaign and ran out comfortable 39–24 winners over UFH Blues, with braces by Ish Nkolo and Constant Beckerling for the side from Johannesburg. Wits moved into second place on the log while UFH dropped down to third after suffering their first defeat of the season. UWC had a bye this round and remained in fourth spot on the log.

9 February 2015 UFH Blues 24–39 Wits Davidson Rugby Field, Alice  
18:30 Try: Lwando Nteta rugby ball 35'
Sivakele Ulana rugby ball 38'
Lithabile Mgwadleka rugby ball 70'
Con: Sivakele Ulana rugby goalposts icon 36', 38', 70' (3/3)
Cards: Siphesihle Punguzwa Yellow card 77'		 Report[8]
Scoreboard[9]		 Try: Ish Nkolo rugby ball 2', 8'
Constant Beckerling rugby ball 22', 63'
Ruan van Rensburg rugby ball 30'
Tommy Damba rugby ball 79'
Con: Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 3', 9', 31' (3/6)
Cards: Cameron Shafto yellow card 66' to 76'		 Referee: Fernando Uithaler
9 February 2015 UKZN Impi 68–5 TUT Vikings Peter Booysen Sports Park, Pietermaritzburg  
18:30 Try: Spa Dube rugby ball 2'
Marcel Coetzee rugby ball 5', 48', 65'
Ado Wessels rugby ball 7'
Shayne Makombe rugby ball 12', 72'
Njabulo Mkize rugby ball 15'
Inny Radebe rugby ball 43'
Lwazi Ngcungama rugby ball 69'
Con: Inny Radebe rugby goalposts icon 2', 15' (2/5)
Spa Dube rugby goalposts icon 43', 65', 69', 72' (4/5)
Cards: Johan du Toit yellow card 55' to 66'		 Report[10]
Scoreboard[11]		 Try: penalty try rugby ball 25'
Con: Dylan du Buisson (0/1)		 Referee: Ricus van der Hoven
Bye/s: UWC

Round three

Braces from Constant Beckerling and Tommy Damba helped Wits emerge victorious from the top-two clash against UKZN Impi, with a comprehensive 56–13 win – their second away win in a row – to move them to the top of the log and with a game in hand over UKZN. UWC moved up to third on the log by beating bottom side TUT Vikings 21–18 in Pretoria, with a two-try haul from Damian Stevens proving decisive. UWC leap-frogged UFH Blues, who dropped to fourth spot after a bye in Round Three.

16 February 2015 TUT Vikings 18–21 UWC TUT Stadium, Pretoria  
18:30 Try: RW van der Wal rugby ball 31'
Wessel Jordaan rugby ball 58'
Claude Johannes rugby ball 71'
Con: Dylan du Buisson (0/1)
Lewies van Deventer rugby goalposts icon 72' (1/2)
Pen: Dylan du Buisson (0/2)
Cards: Ruan Pienaar yellow card 22' to 32'		 Report[12]
Scoreboard[13]		 Try: José Julies rugby ball 23'
Damian Stevens rugby ball 34', 52'
Con: Herman Share (0/1)
Quaid Langeveldt rugby goalposts icon 35', 53' (2/2)
Pen: Quaid Langeveldt (0/1)
Herman Share (0/1)
Cards: Octaven van Stade yellow card 65' to 76'		 Referee: Renier Vermeulen
16 February 2015 UKZN Impi 13–56 Wits Peter Booysen Sports Park, Pietermaritzburg  
18:30 Try: Chris de Beer rugby ball 8'
Spa Dube rugby ball 70'
Con: Spa Dube rugby goalposts icon 70' (1/2)		 Report[14]
Scoreboard[15]		 Try: Constant Beckerling rugby ball 2', 17'
Tommy Damba rugby ball 19', 55'
Luvuyo Pupuma rugby ball 35'
Graham Logan rugby ball 41'
Sibusiso Mngomezulu rugby ball 67'
Con: Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 3', 18', 20', 37', 41', 56' (6/6)
Ruan van Rensburg rugby goalposts icon 67' (1/1)
Cards: Constant Beckerling yellow card 22' to 33'
Ben Baggott Yellow card 70'		 Referee: Jaco Kotze
Bye/s: UFH Blues

Round four

The top-versus-bottom match between Wits and TUT Vikings went according to form, with Wits running out 71–36 winners to extend their lead at the top to six points. They ran in ten tries, with Tommy Damba, Ferdinand Kelly and Luxolo Ntsepe getting a brace each, while fly-half Brandan Hewitt scored one of their tries and slotted seven conversions. In the other match, UWC moved level on points with second-placed UKZN Impi who had a bye round, securing an eight-try victory over UFH Blues and running out 49–34 winners with James Verity-Amm grabbing a hat-trick of tries. Both of the losing sides, UFH Blues and TUT Vikings, picked up a bonus point for scoring five tries in their matches, but remained in fourth and fifth respectively.

19 February 2015 UWC 49–34 UFH Blues UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
18:30 Try: James Verity-Amm rugby ball 2', 9', 63'
Damian Stevens rugby ball 7'
Quaid Langeveldt rugby ball 18'
Wayrin Losper rugby ball 22'
Brandon Valentyn rugby ball 55'
penalty try rugby ball 78'
Con: Darian Hock rugby goalposts icon 10' (1/4)
Quaid Langeveldt rugby goalposts icon 56' (1/3)
Keanu Langeveldt rugby goalposts icon 79' (1/1)
Pen: Keanu Langeveldt (0/1)
Cards: Brandon Valentyn Yellow card 36'
Tahriq Allan yellow card 44' to 55'		 Report[16]
Scoreboard[17]		 Try: Lwando Mabenge rugby ball 17'
Aziyena Mandaba rugby ball 26'
Lithabile Mgwadleka rugby ball 31', 67'
Sanelise Getye rugby ball 50'
Con: Akhona Matutu rugby goalposts icon 17', 27' (2/3)
Sivakele Ulana rugby goalposts icon 68' (1/2)
Cards: Siphesihle Punguzwa yellow card 6' to 17'
Aziyena Mandaba Red card 54'		 Referee: Francois Pretorius
19 February 2015 Wits 71–36 TUT Vikings Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30 Try: Tommy Damba rugby ball 7', 47'
Luvuyo Pupuma rugby ball 16'
Luxolo Ntsepe rugby ball 20', 68'
Ferdinand Kelly rugby ball 33', 40'
Constant Beckerling rugby ball 43'
AJ van Blerk rugby ball 60'
Brandan Hewitt rugby ball 71'
Con: Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 8', 17', 40', 43', 60', 68', 72' (7/10)
Cards: AJ van Blerk yellow card 35' to 45'		 Report[18]
Scoreboard[19]		 Try: Edwin Oliver rugby ball 12'
Tovhowani Nefale rugby ball 50'
Lewies van Deventer rugby ball 63'
Vian Riekert rugby ball 77'
Thabang Kibe rugby ball 80'
Con: Paul Walters rugby goalposts icon 13', 50' (2/3)
Lewies van Deventer rugby goalposts icon 78' (1/2)
Pen: Paul Walters rugby goalposts icon 3' (1/2)
Cards: Armand Marshall yellow card 23' to 33'		 Referee: Ricus van der Hoven
Bye/s: UKZN Impi

Round five

League leaders Wits dropped their first points of the season after they were held to a 37–all draw by third-placed UWC in Johannesburg. Wits were leading 37–16 after 55 minutes, but UWC responded with three more tries late in the game to level things up, with winger James Verity-Amm scoring a second consecutive hat-trick after also getting one in Round Four against UFH Blues. UKZN Impi took advantage of their main rivals drawing to secure a 21–13 victory over UFH, which saw them remain in second, but closed the gap to league leaders Wits to five points. UWC finished Round Five a further point behind UKZN, with UFH Blues remaining in fourth spot and TUT Vikings, who did not play this round, staying in fifth at the halfway point of the regular season.

23 February 2015 UFH Blues 13–21 UKZN Impi Davidson Rugby Field, Alice  
18:30 Try: Athenkosi Manentsa rugby ball 14'
Siviwe Bisset rugby ball 69'
Con: Akhona Matutu rugby goalposts icon 15' (1/1)
Sivakele Ulana (0/1)
Cards: Sivakele Ulana yellow card 48' to 58'		 Report[20]
Scoreboard[21]		 Try: Inny Radebe rugby ball 3'
Lwazi Ngcungama rugby ball 11', 32'
Con: Inny Radebe rugby goalposts icon 3', 12' (2/2)
Rowan Gouws (0/1)
Cards: Sanele Malwane yellow card 33' to 47'		 Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Vusi Msibi
23 February 2015 Wits 37–37 UWC Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30 Try: Luvuyo Pupuma rugby ball 11'
Luxolo Ntsepe rugby ball 27'
Ameer Williams rugby ball 32'
Tommy Damba rugby ball 40'
Constant Beckerling rugby ball 54'
Con: AJ van Blerk rugby goalposts icon 11' (1/1)
Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 33', 40', 55' (3/4)		 Report[22]
Scoreboard[23]		 Try: Quaid Langeveldt rugby ball 7'
James Verity-Amm rugby ball 17', 57', 78'
Stuart Austin rugby ball 70'
Con: Quaid Langeveldt rugby goalposts icon 8', 18' (2/3)
Herman Share rugby goalposts icon 58', 79' (2/2)		 Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: TUT Vikings

Round six

With top-placed side Wits having a bye weekend, they saw their lead at the top reduced to just a single point from UKZN Impi, who ran out 21–5 winners over third-placed UWC. UFH Blues secured their second victory of the season, beating TUT Vikings 29–18 in Alice to also pick up a bonus point for scoring four tries. Their log positions remained unchanged, however, with UFH Blues still in fourth and TUT Vikings in last place with two log points.

2 March 2015 UFH Blues 29–18 TUT Vikings Davidson Rugby Field, Alice  
17:00 Try: Hlubi Mvana rugby ball 8'
Akhona Matutu rugby ball 19', 45'
Aziyena Mandaba rugby ball 28'
Con: Akhona Matutu rugby goalposts icon 20', 29' (2/3)
Sivakele Ulana rugby goalposts icon 46' (1/1)
Pen: Akhona Matutu (0/1)
Cards: Lwando Mabenge yellow card 58' to 68'
Siphesihle Punguzwa yellow card 69' to 79'		 Report[24]
Scoreboard[25]		 Try: Dylan du Buisson rugby ball 25', 36'
Lewies van Deventer rugby ball 77'
Con: Ruan Pienaar rugby goalposts icon 26' (1/1)
Paul Walters (0/1)
Dylan du Buisson (0/1)
Cards: Claude Johannes yellow card 29' to 39'		 Attendance: 3,200
Referee: Sindile Ngcese
2 March 2015 UKZN Impi 21–5 UWC Howard College Rugby Stadium, Durban  
18:30 Try: Ado Wessels rugby ball 3'
Marcel Coetzee rugby ball 53'
Langelihle Shange rugby ball 60'
Con: Spa Dube rugby goalposts icon 4', 61' (2/3)		 Report[26]
Scoreboard[27]		 Try: Lifa Ghana rugby ball 24'
Con: Quaid Langeveldt (0/1)
Cards: José Julies yellow card 43' to 54'		 Referee: Kurt Weaver
Bye/s: Wits

Round seven

After their bye in Round Six, leaders Wits returned to form in spectacular style, running in twelve tries in a 93–0 demolition of UFH Blues in Johannesburg. Luxolo Ntsepe scored a hat-trick, while Constant Beckerling and Josh Jarvis got two tries apiece and fly-half Brandan Hewitt scored one try and nine conversions for a personal points tally of 32 points. Second-placed UKZN Impi kept the pressure on Wits however, scoring nine tries in their 66–41 victory over TUT Vikings to remain just one point behind Wits on the log. Marius Louw grabbed a hat-trick in their victory and Spa Dube contributed 21 points with the boot. UWC remained in third place in the league with their bye, while TUT's four-try bonus point wasn't enough to move them ahead of fourth-placed UFH Blues.

9 March 2015 TUT Vikings 41–66 UKZN Impi TUT Stadium, Pretoria  
18:30 Try: Armand Marshall rugby ball 10'
Mandla Mdaka rugby ball 27', 57', 77'
Ross Middlecote rugby ball 69'
Neil de Witt rugby ball 71'
Con: Paul Walters (0/1)
Dylan du Buisson rugby goalposts icon 28', 72', 78' (3/5)
Pen: Paul Walters rugby goalposts icon 4' (1/1)
Cards: Jaco van Staden yellow card 17' to 27'		 Report[28]
Scoreboard[29]		 Try: Rico Lategan rugby ball 13', 46'
Marius Louw rugby ball 18', 24', 35'
Njabulo Mkize rugby ball 31'
Matthew Mandioma rugby ball 48'
Ado Wessels rugby ball 50'
Philip Marais rugby ball 73'
Con: Spa Dube rugby goalposts icon 14', 19', 25', 32', 47', 49', 51' (7/8)
Rowan Gouws (0/1)		 Referee: Vusi Msibi
9 March 2015 Wits 93–0 UFH Blues Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30 Try: Constant Beckerling rugby ball 7', 18'
penalty try rugby ball 22'
Brandan Hewitt rugby ball 31'
Luxolo Ntsepe rugby ball 39', 53', 72'
Josh Jarvis rugby ball 40', 43'
Rhyno Herbst rugby ball 49'
Tommy Damba rugby ball 60'
Ben Baggott rugby ball 77'
Con: Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 8', 19', 22', 32', 39', 40', 44', 49', 54' (9/9)
Ruan van Rensburg rugby goalposts icon 72', 77' (2/3)		 Report[30]
Scoreboard[31]		 Referee: Kurt Weaver
Bye/s: UWC

Round eight

Hosts Wits emerged victorious in the match between the top two teams in the league, beating UKZN Impi 40–26 to extend their lead at the top of the log to four points. Both teams picked up a four-try bonus point in the match that was only settled with a last-minute Tommy Damba try. This result also meant that Wits secured their place in the final of the competition. UWC kept up their attempt to clinch the other spot in the final by beating TUT Vikings 63–10 in Cape Town. They ran in nine tries, with Quaid Langeveldt, James Verity-Amm and Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes getting a brace each. This result saw them close the gap to second-placed UKZN to six points, with a game in hand. A bye round for UFH Blues saw them remain in fourth spot, well clear of bottom side TUT Vikings.

16 March 2015 UWC 63–10 TUT Vikings UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
18:30 Try: Quaid Langeveldt rugby ball 22', 41'
James Verity-Amm rugby ball 27', 47'
Stuart Austin rugby ball 35'
Brandon Valentyn rugby ball 54'
Matthew Faught rugby ball 65'
Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes rugby ball 73', 78'
Con: Darian Hock rugby goalposts icon 23', 28', 48', 55' (4/6)
Quaid Langeveldt rugby goalposts icon 74', 79' (2/3)		 Report[32]
Scoreboard[33]		 Try: Lewies van Deventer rugby ball 5'
Con: Dylan du Buisson rugby goalposts icon 6' (1/1)
Pen: Dylan du Buisson rugby goalposts icon 1' (1/1)
Cards: Edwin Oliver yellow card 19' to 29'		 Referee: Kurt Weaver
16 March 2015 Wits 40–26 UKZN Impi Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30 Try: Ayabulela Mdudi rugby ball 2', 31'
Koch Marx rugby ball 24'
Luvuyo Pupuma rugby ball 57'
Tommy Damba rugby ball 80'
Con: Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 3', 25', 32', 57', 80' (5/5)		 Report[34]
Scoreboard[35]		 Try: Lwazi Ngcungama rugby ball 15'
Spa Dube rugby ball 47'
Marius Louw rugby ball 63'
Philip Marais rugby ball 75'
Con: Spa Dube rugby goalposts icon 16', 48' (2/3)
Cards: Ado Wessels yellow card 33' to 43'
David Harel yellow card 57' to 67'		 Referee: Renier Vermeulen
Bye/s: UFH Blues

Round nine

With their sixth win of the season, Wits ensured that they would finish the regular season top of the log, which meant that the final would be played in Johannesburg. They ran out 50–5 winners over TUT Vikings with two tries apiece from Tommy Damba and Koch Marx. The identity of their opposition in the final was still unknown, since second-placed UKZN Impi had a bye, which saw UWC reduce the gap to just one point. UWC ran out 58–8 winners over UFH Blues with James Verity-Amm getting his third hat-trick of the season and take his try tally up to eleven in just six appearances. That result also ensured that UFH Blues would finish the season in fourth spot with TUT Vikings guaranteed to finish bottom of the log.

23 March 2015 TUT Vikings 5–50 Wits TUT Stadium, Pretoria  
18:30 Try: Claude Johannes rugby ball 75'
Con: Vian Riekert (0/1)		 Report[36]
Scoreboard[37]		 Try: Koch Marx rugby ball 33', 38'
Tommy Damba rugby ball 36'
Richard Crossman rugby ball 45'
Ish Nkolo rugby ball 48', 56'
Josh Jarvis rugby ball 65'
Con: Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 37', 39', 45' (3/5)
Ruan van Rensburg rugby goalposts icon 57', 66' (2/2)		 Referee: AJ Jacobs
23 March 2015 UFH Blues 8–58 UWC Davidson Rugby Field, Alice  
18:30 Try: Ntyatyambo Mkhafu rugby ball 3'
Con: Akhona Matutu rugby goalposts icon 4' (1/1)
Cards: Siviwe Bisset yellow card 39' to 50'
Lwando Nteta Yellow card 41'		 Report[38]
Scoreboard[39]		 Try: Minenhle Mthethwa rugby ball 14'
James Verity-Amm rugby ball 21', 34', 53'
Quaid Langeveldt rugby ball 46', 49'
Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes rugby ball 58'
Yaasien Railoun rugby ball 73'
Con: Darian Hock rugby goalposts icon 15', 22', 35', 47', 50', 54' (6/7)
Herman Share (0/1)
Cards: Brandon Beukman Red card 1'
Stuart Austin yellow card 41' to 51'		 Referee: Tahla Ntshakaza
Bye/s: UKZN Impi

Round ten

The final line-up was completed as UKZN Impi joined already-qualified Wits in the final. A hat-trick from centre Marius Louw secured a 42–0 victory for UKZN over fourth-placed UFH Blues in Durban to ensure the side finished second on the log. Meanwhile, log leaders Wits and third-placed UWC played out their second draw of the season, with their match finishing 21–all in Cape Town after drawing 37–all in their Round Five match in Johannesburg. TUT Vikings had a bye round and finished bottom of the log.

30 March 2015 UKZN Impi 42–0 UFH Blues Howard College Rugby Stadium, Durban  
18:30 Try: Marius Louw rugby ball 6', 38', 46'
Philip Marais rugby ball 14'
Langelihle Shange rugby ball 27'
Ado Wessels rugby ball 78'
Con: Spa Dube rugby goalposts icon 7', 28', 39', 47' (4/6)
Cards: Langelihle Shange yellow card 31' to 41'		 Report[40]
Scoreboard[41]		 Cards: Lwando Nteta yellow card 31' to 41'
Siphesihle Punguzwa Yellow card 64'		 Referee: Fernando Uithaler
30 March 2015 UWC 21–21 Wits UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
18:30 Try: Quaid Langeveldt rugby ball 19'
Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes rugby ball 44'
Chadwin Robertson rugby ball 74'
Con: Darian Hock rugby goalposts icon 44' (1/2)
Quaid Langeveldt rugby goalposts icon 75' (1/1)
Cards: Heynes Kotze Red card 48'		 Report[42]
Scoreboard[43]		 Try: Angus Gordon rugby ball 9'
Josh Jarvis rugby ball 16'
Rhyno Herbst rugby ball 78'
Con: Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 10', 79' (2/3)		 Referee: Quinton Immelman
Bye/s: TUT Vikings

Final

The 2015 Varsity Shield was won by UKZN Impi, who won their first ever title after handing Wits their first defeat of the season; a 29–24 defeat in the match played in Johannesburg. UKZN Impi took the lead fifteen minute in through captain Lwazi Ngcungama and didn't relinquish it for the remainder of the match. Fly-half Inny Radebe was the top scorer in the match with eleven points.

6 April 2015 Wits 24–29 UKZN Impi Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
16:45 Try: Tommy Damba rugby ball 40'
Constant Beckerling rugby ball 47'
Ferdinand Kelly rugby ball 78'
Con: Brandan Hewitt rugby goalposts icon 40', 48', 78' (3/3)		 Report[44]
Scoreboard[45]		 Try: Lwazi Ngcungama rugby ball 15'
Chris de Beer rugby ball 32'
Inny Radebe rugby ball 43'
Alwayno Visagie rugby ball 68'
Con: Inny Radebe rugby goalposts icon 16', 44' (2/3)
Spa Dube rugby goalposts icon 69' (1/1)
Drop: Inny Radebe (0/1)		 Referee: Ricus van der Hoven

Honours

The honour roll for the 2015 Varsity Shield was as follows:

2015 Varsity Shield Honours
Champions:UKZN Impi
Player That Rocks:Lwazi Ngcungama, UKZN Impi
Forward That Rocks:
Back That Rocks:
Top Try Scorer:James Verity-Amm, UWC (11)
Top Points Scorer:Brandan Hewitt, Wits (133)

Players

Player statistics

The following table contain points which were scored in the 2015 Varsity Shield:[46]

Top Ten points scorers
No Player Team T C P DG Pts
1Brandan HewittWits24100133
2Spa DubeUKZN Impi3210078
3Quaid LangeveldtUWC780059
4James Verity-AmmUWC1100055
5Tommy DambaWits1000050
6Constant BeckerlingWits900045
7Inny RadebeUKZN Impi480044
8Marius LouwUKZN Impi800040
9Darian HockUWC0120036
10Sivakele UlanaUFH Blues164031

Squad lists

The teams released the following squad lists:

TUT Vikings[47]

Forwards

  • Jeremia Burger
  • Shaun de Wet
  • Neil de Witt
  • James Frost
  • Hamish Herd
  • Claude Johannes
  • Wessel Jordaan
  • Attie Joubert
  • Jean-Claude le Roux
  • Calvin Maduna
  • Armand Marshall
  • Percy Matlhoko
  • Mandla Mdaka
  • Ross Middlecote
  • Ratsaka Modjadji
  • DK Mukendi
  • Daniel Richter
  • Jaco van Staden
  • Wian van Schalkwyk
  • Did not play:
  • Isak Deetlefs
  • Mpho Kganakga
  • Dimpho Matshediso
  • Bethuel Mosetekoa
  • Lindokuhle Sambo
  • Ryan Sim

Backs

  • Lisa Banzi
  • Dylan du Buisson
  • Shawn Jaards
  • Deon Joubert
  • Thabang Kibe
  • Tovhowani Nefale
  • Octavian Nkomonde
  • Edwin Oliver
  • Ruan Pienaar
  • Vian Riekert
  • Nelis Snyman
  • RW van der Wal
  • Lewies van Deventer
  • Litha Vumisa
  • Paul Walters
  • Did not play:
  • Leroy Afrika
  • Thomas Joubert
  • Ndivho Nematandani
  • Dwayne Swart
  • Dries van der Westhuizen

Coach

  • Sax Chirwa

UFH Blues[48]

Forwards

  • Lutho Klaas
  • Madoda Ludidi
  • Lwando Mabenge
  • Athenkosi Makeleni
  • Athenkosi Manentsa
  • Ntyatyambo Mkhafu
  • Olwethu Mputla
  • Lusindiso Nkomo
  • Lwando Nteta
  • Siphesihle Punguzwa
  • Zanoxolo Qwele
  • Sibusiso Sityebi
  • Sesethu Time
  • Mzinga Vitsha
  • Malusi Vula
  • Did not play:
  • Darren Alexander
  • Asiphe Fanele
  • Busiwe Fani
  • Litha Labase
  • Andile Makinana
  • Philisani Khangelani Ncoko
  • Siphelele Njobeni
  • Likhona Nkqoli
  • Ntsika Nyalambisa
  • Misubukhosi Pienaar
  • Siyabulela Sijula

Backs

  • Siviwe Bisset
  • Sanelise Getye
  • Khanyiso Komani
  • Ntsika Kula
  • Aziyena Mandaba
  • Akhona Matutu
  • Lithabile Mgwadleka
  • Hlubi Mvana
  • Sthembiso Ngwenya
  • Lundi Ralarala
  • Elandre Sias
  • Khaya Siqoko
  • Sivakele Ulana
  • Did not play:
  • Luyolo Batshise
  • Benson Chiripanhura
  • Asiphe Fihla
  • Yanga Nakani
  • Sibusiso Sinuka

Coach

  • Elliott Fana

UKZN Impi[49]

Forwards

  • Marné Coetzee
  • Chris de Beer
  • Johan du Toit
  • David Harel
  • Michael Hutton
  • Sizwe Kubheka
  • Sanele Malwane
  • Matthew Mandioma
  • Siya Mhlongo
  • Njabulo Mkize
  • Ntando Mpofana
  • Lwazi Ngcungama
  • William Paxton
  • Kwezi Puza
  • Christie van der Merwe
  • Mikyle Webster
  • Ado Wessels
  • Did not play:
  • Henri Boshoff
  • Mees Erasmus
  • Sikhumbuzo Rowen Gasa
  • Mzamo Majola
  • Emilien Mary
  • Milani Lutho Motlohi
  • Clive Musasiwa
  • Lindo Radebe
  • Nduduzo Thembelenkosini Sithole
  • Ayathandwa Tsengiwe

Backs

  • Thobekani Buthelezi
  • Marcel Coetzee
  • Spa Dube
  • Rowan Gouws
  • Graham Koch
  • Rico Lategan
  • Marius Louw
  • Shayne Makombe
  • Philip Marais
  • Yandisa Mdolomba
  • Gavin Nyawata
  • Inny Radebe
  • Langelihle Shange
  • Alwayno Visagie
  • Sandile Zulu
  • Did not play:
  • Jurie Johannes Ingram
  • Manqoba Mqudi
  • Miguel Thabo Ncube
  • Michael Scheepers
  • Bongumusa Tshabalala

Coach

  • Ryan Strudwick

UWC[50]

Forwards

  • Tahriq Allan
  • Stuart Austin
  • Curtis Beukes
  • Brandon Beukman
  • Alwyn Carstens
  • Kelvin de Bruyn
  • Matthew Faught
  • Lifa Ghana
  • José Julies
  • Heynes Kotze
  • Mitch Lingeveldt
  • Wayrin Losper
  • Darren Luiters
  • Sebenza Maphumulo
  • Chadwin Robertson
  • Brandon Valentyn
  • Did not play:
  • Axolile Apleni
  • Mische Kamlesh Vallabh

Backs

  • Gavian Cloete
  • Clayton Daniels
  • Lubabalo Faleni
  • Dean Herbert
  • Gustav Heydenrych
  • Darian Hock
  • Keanu Langeveldt
  • Quaid Langeveldt
  • Minenhle Mthethwa
  • Matthew Nortjé
  • Shane Pietersen
  • Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes
  • Yaasien Railoun
  • Herman Share
  • Damian Stevens
  • Octaven van Stade
  • James Verity-Amm
  • Did not play:
  • Stephan Borman
  • Chad Christopher de Klerk
  • Blake Andre Reineke
  • Wilbré van Wyk
  • Melik Wana

Coach

Wits[51]

Forwards

  • Ben Baggott
  • Constant Beckerling
  • Richard Crossman
  • Jethi de Lange
  • Angus Gordon
  • Rhyno Herbst
  • Ferdinand Kelly
  • Graham Logan
  • Ayabulela Mdudi
  • Chris Mills
  • Brandon Palmer
  • Luvuyo Pupuma
  • Cameron Shafto
  • Tijde Visser
  • Ameer Williams
  • Did not play:
  • Wazeer Desai
  • Mitchell Fraser
  • Gihard Visagie

Backs

  • Alistair Ballantyne
  • Tommy Damba
  • Sicelo Champion
  • Ruan Cloete
  • Brandan Hewitt
  • Josh Jarvis
  • Koch Marx
  • Sibusiso Mngomezulu
  • Ish Nkolo
  • Luxolo Ntsepe
  • AJ van Blerk
  • Dandré van den Berg
  • Ruan van Rensburg
  • Did not play:
  • Joel Bwanakawa
  • Kyle Wesemann

Coach

  • Hugo van As

Discipline

The following table contains all the cards handed out during the tournament:[52]

Sendings-off and multiple sin-binnings
Player Team Red card yellow card
Brandon BeukmanUWC10
Heynes KotzeUWC10
Aziyena MandabaUFH Blues10
Siphesihle PunguzwaUFH Blues04
Lwando NtetaUFH Blues02

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2015 Varsity Shield:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "VC Rugby 'points' ahead". Varsity Cup. 17 November 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "SA Rugby Log – 2015 FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  3. ↑ Ebrahim, Tauriq (2 February 2015). "Impi get their noses in front". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  4. ↑ De Vries, Michael (2 February 2015). "Impi claim Bellville scrap". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UWC 5–16 FNB UKZN". South African Rugby Union. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  6. ↑ Ebrahim, Tauriq (2 February 2015). "Vikings pip Blues in nail-biter". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB TUT 0–0 FNB UFH". South African Rugby Union. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  8. ↑ Ebrahim, Tauriq (9 February 2015). "Wits too much for Fort Hare". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UFH 24–39 FNB WITS". South African Rugby Union. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  10. ↑ Ebrahim, Tauriq (9 February 2015). "UKZN demolish TUT". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UKZN 68–5 FNB TUT". South African Rugby Union. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  12. ↑ Ebrahim, Tauriq (16 February 2015). "UWC get off the mark". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB TUT 18–21 FNB UWC". South African Rugby Union. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  14. ↑ Ebrahim, Tauriq (16 February 2015). "Wits leapfrog UKZN". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UKZN 13–56 FNB WITS". South African Rugby Union. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  16. ↑ De Vries, Michael (19 February 2015). "UWC outrun Fort Hare". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UWC 49–34 FNB UFH". South African Rugby Union. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  18. ↑ De Vries, Michael (19 February 2015). "Wits show Vikings no mercy". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB WITS 71–36 FNB TUT". South African Rugby Union. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  20. ↑ De Vries, Michael (23 February 2015). "Impi back to winning ways". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  21. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UFH 13–21 FNB UKZN". South African Rugby Union. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  22. ↑ De Vries, Michael (23 February 2015). "UWC fight back to hold Wits". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB WITS 37–37 FNB UWC". South African Rugby Union. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  24. ↑ warren (2 March 2015). "Blues hold off Vikings". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  25. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UFH 29–18 FNB TUT". South African Rugby Union. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  26. ↑ warren (2 March 2015). "Impi knock over UWC". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UKZN 21–5 FNB UWC". South African Rugby Union. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  28. ↑ warren (9 March 2015). "Impi take Vikings apart". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  29. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB TUT 41–66 FNB UKZN". South African Rugby Union. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  30. ↑ warren (9 March 2015). "Wits thrash Fort Hare". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  31. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB WITS 93–0 FNB UFH". South African Rugby Union. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  32. ↑ warren (16 March 2015). "UWC thump TUT". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  33. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UWC 63–10 FNB TUT". South African Rugby Union. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  34. ↑ warren (16 March 2015). "Wits do the double over UKZN". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  35. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB WITS 40–26 FNB UKZN". South African Rugby Union. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  36. ↑ warren (23 March 2015). "TUT taken apart by Wits". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  37. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB TUT 5–50 FNB WITS". South African Rugby Union. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  38. ↑ warren (23 March 2015). "UWC thump Blues to keep hopes alive". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  39. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UFH 8–58 FNB UWC". South African Rugby Union. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  40. ↑ warren (30 March 2015). "Impi secure place in Shield final". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  41. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UKZN 42–0 FNB UFH". South African Rugby Union. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  42. ↑ De Vries, Michael (30 March 2015). "UWC and Wits all square...again". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  43. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UWC 21–21 FNB WITS". South African Rugby Union. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  44. ↑ De Vries, Michael (6 April 2015). "Impi sink Wits to claim Shield". Varsity Cup. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  45. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB WITS 24–29 FNB UKZN". South African Rugby Union. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  46. ↑ "SA Rugby Top Scorers – 2015 FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  47. ↑ "SA Rugby Squad – FNB TUT : 2015 FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  48. ↑ "SA Rugby Squad – FNB UFH : 2015 FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  49. ↑ "SA Rugby Squad – FNB UKZN : 2015 FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  50. ↑ "SA Rugby Squad – FNB UWC : 2015 FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  51. ↑ "SA Rugby Squad – FNB WITS : 2015 FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  52. ↑ "SA Rugby Cards – 2015 FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
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