2015 Varsity Cup

2015 Varsity Cup
Countries	South Africa
Date	9 February – 13 April 2015
Champions	UFS Shimlas (1st title)
Runners-up	NWU Pukke
Relegated	None
Matches played	31
Tries scored	231 (average 7.5 per match)
Top point scorer	Rhyno Smith (101)
Top try scorer	Daniel Maartens / Gerhard Olivier (8)
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South African Rugby 2015

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The 2015 Varsity Cup was contested from 9 February to 13 April 2015. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the eighth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The tournament was won by UFS Shimlas, who beat NWU Pukke 63–33 in the final played on 13 April 2015. No team was relegated to the second-tier Varsity Shield competition for 2016.

Competition rules and information[]

There were eight participating universities in the 2015 Varsity Cup. These teams played each other once over the course of the season, either home or 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 four teams qualified for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished fourth, while the team that finished second had home advantage against the team that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals played each other in the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.

There was no relegation to the Varsity Shield at the end of the season.

The 2015 Varsity Cup 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]

All Varsity Cup games also had two referees officiating each game,^[2] props' jerseys featured a special gripping patch to ensure better binding, intended to reduce collapsing scrums^[3] and the mark was extended to the entire field.^[4]

The Varsity Cup also reintroduced the White Card system from 2015. Under this system, either team's coach or captain could refer incidents for further review, similar to the Umpire Decision Review System used in cricket. They could have incidents reviewed that they believed were either given incorrectly or went unnoticed by the on-field referees. Each team was entitled to one review in each half of the match; if a review proved successful, the team retained their white card review for that half, but if it was unsuccessful, they lost the right to further reviews for the remainder of the half.^[5]

Teams[]

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

2015 Varsity Cup teams
Team Name	University	Stadium
CUT Ixias	Central University of Technology	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
Maties	Stellenbosch University	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
NMMU Madibaz	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
NWU Pukke	North-West University	Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
UCT Ikey Tigers	University of Cape Town	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
UFS Shimlas	University of the Free State	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
UJ	University of Johannesburg	UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
UP Tuks	University of Pretoria	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria

Standings[]

The final league standings for the 2015 Varsity Cup were:^[6]

2015 Varsity Cup standings
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	UP Tuks	7	5	1	1	295	119	+176	41	15	7	1	30
2	UFS Shimlas	7	6	1	0	227	116	+111	32	16	4	0	30
3	UCT Ikey Tigers	7	4	1	2	258	157	+101	32	23	4	0	22
4	NWU Pukke	7	3	1	3	212	184	+28	30	25	5	2	21
5	Maties	7	3	2	2	177	171	+6	24	23	4	1	21
6	UJ	7	3	0	4	113	113	0	17	14	2	1	15
7	NMMU Madibaz	7	1	0	6	131	220	−89	19	31	2	1	7
8	CUT Ixias	7	0	0	7	63	396	−333	9	57	0	0	0

Legend and Competition rules
Legend:
	Top four teams; qualify to semi-finals.		P = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, PD = Points Difference, TF = Tries For, TA = Tries Against, TB = Try Bonus Points, LB = Losing Bonus Points, Pts = Log Points
	No relegation.
Competition rules:
Play-offs: The top four teams qualify to the semi-finals. The first-placed team will host the fourth-placed team and the second-placed team will host the third-placed team. The higher-ranked semi-final winner will then host the lower-ranked semi-final winner in the final. Points breakdown: * 4 points for a win * 2 points for a draw * 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less * 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

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 Cup
Team	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	Semi	Final
UP Tuks	3 (5th)	8 (1st)	13 (1st)	15 (2nd)	20 (1st)	25 (1st)	30 (1st)	Lost	N/A
UFS Shimlas	3 (5th)	7 (3rd)	12 (2nd)	16 (1st)	20 (2nd)	25 (2nd)	30 (2nd)	Won	Won
UCT Ikey Tigers	3 (3rd)	3 (7th)	8 (5th)	13 (5th)	18 (3rd)	18 (4th)	22 (3rd)	Lost	N/A
NWU Pukke	5 (2nd)	8 (2nd)	9 (4th)	14 (4th)	14 (5th)	19 (3rd)	21 (4th)	Won	Lost
Maties	3 (3rd)	6 (5th)	6 (7th)	7 (6th)	11 (6th)	16 (5th)	21 (5th)	N/A	N/A
UJ	5 (1st)	5 (6th)	9 (3rd)	14 (3rd)	15 (4th)	15 (6th)	15 (6th)	N/A	N/A
NMMU Madibaz	1 (7th)	6 (4th)	6 (6th)	6 (7th)	7 (7th)	7 (7th)	7 (7th)	N/A	N/A
CUT Ixias	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	N/A	N/A
Key:	win	draw	loss

Fixtures[]

The 2015 Varsity Cup fixtures were released as follows:^[7]

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

Round One[]

	9 February 2015	NWU Pukke	36–26	NMMU Madibaz	Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
	16:45	Try: Rhyno Smith  13' Rowayne Beukman  18' Jeandré Rudolph  40' Dalen Goliath  54' Dean Stokes  73' penalty try  80' Con: Dillon Smit (0/2) Rhyno Smith  55' (1/2) Warren Gilbert  80' (1/2) Cards: Loftus Morrison 33' to 43' Johnny Welthagen 57' to 67'	Report[8] Scoreboard[9]	Try: CJ Velleman  36' Brian Skosana  51' Tythan Adams  58' Yamkela Ngam  68' Con: Ruan Allerston  52', 59' (2/4) Cards: Brian Skosana 29' to 39' Andisa Ntsila  80'	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	9 February 2015	CUT Ixias	10–46	UJ	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Anrich Bitzi  8' Dean Kouprihanoff  58' Con: Naudé van Biljon (0/1) Duan Pretorius (0/1)	Report[10] Scoreboard[11]	Try: Kobus Porter  2', 6' Aphiwe Dyantyi  31' penalty try  40' Phanta Qinisile  44' Andries Oosthuizen  53', 66' Jaco Fourie  80' Con: Jamie Campbell  7', 40' (2/6) Jaco Fourie (0/2)	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	9 February 2015	UFS Shimlas	29–29	UP Tuks	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Niell Jordaan  9' Gerhard Olivier  39'  59' Conraad van Vuuren  65' Con: Niel Marais  10', 60', 66' (3/4)	Report[12] Scoreboard[13]	Try: Riaan Britz  4' Duncan Matthews  31' Ryan Nell  45' Dan Kriel  54' Con: Joshua Stander  5', 32', 46' (3/4)	Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

	9 February 2015	UCT Ikey Tigers	32–32	Maties	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
	19:00	Try: Dylan Sage  4' Mark Prior  43' Guy Alexander  72' penalty try  77' Con: Warren Seals  5', 44', 73', 78' (4/4)	Report[14] Scoreboard[15]	Try: JP Lewis  39', 56' Kobus van Dyk  52' Craig Barry  66' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  40' (1/1) Brandon Thomson  53', 57', 67' (3/3) Pen: Brandon Thomson (0/1)	Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

Round Two[]

	16 February 2015	NMMU Madibaz	34–13	CUT Ixias	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	16:45	Try: Enrico Acker  7', 21' Devon Lailvaux  32', 63' Tythan Adams  48' Con: Ruan Allerston  22', 49', 64' (3/5) Cards: Arno Ebersohn 51' to 61' CJ Velleman 51' to 61' Tyler Paul 53' to 63' Steven Hansel 66' to 76' Tythan Adams  74'	Report[16] Scoreboard[17]	Try: Ali Mgijima  67' Masego Toolo  70' Con: Naudé van Biljon (0/1) Jesse du Toit  71' (1/1) Cards: Frans Sisita 26' to 36'	Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

	16 February 2015	UP Tuks	39–24	UCT Ikey Tigers	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
	18:30	Try: Jermaine Kleinsmith  3', 48' Dan Kriel  29' Ruan Steenkamp  45', 59' Nqoba Mxoli  78' Con: Joshua Stander  4', 30', 49' (3/5) Dewald Human (0/1)	Report[18] Scoreboard[19]	Try: Robin Murray  56' Guy Alexander  67' Paul Cohen  76' Con: Warren Seals  57', 67', 77' (3/3)	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	16 February 2015	UJ	0–24	UFS Shimlas	UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
	18:30	Cards: Kyle van Dalen  60'	Report[20] Scoreboard[21]	Try: Conraad van Vuuren  49' penalty try  60' Nico Lee  70' Con: Niel Marais  50', 61', 71' (3/3) Cards: Tienie Burger 38' to 50'	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi & Archie Sehlako

	16 February 2015	Maties	26–26	NWU Pukke	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
	19:00	Try: Kobus van Dyk  9' Beyers de Villiers  14', 29' Ian Groenewald  78' Con: Koos Loubser  10' (1/1) Ernst Stapelberg (0/1) Brandon Thomson  79' (1/1) Cards: Ernst Stapelberg 5' to 15'	Report[22] Scoreboard[23]	Try: Dillon Smit  1' penalty try  5' Rhyno Smith  56' Dean Stokes  66' Con: Rhyno Smith  2', 6' (2/4) Cards: Jeandré Rudolph 28' to 38'	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys & Tahla Ntshakaza

Round Three[]

	23 February 2015	CUT Ixias	0–57	UFS Shimlas	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
	16:45	Cards: Gerard Baard  38' Boetie Maketlo  76'	Report[24] Scoreboard[25]	Try: Arthur Williams  1' Gerhard Olivier  4', 8' Marco Klopper  25' Vuyani Maqina  27', 32' Daniel Maartens  48', 77' Niell Jordaan  79' Con: Niel Marais  2', 5', 26', 49' (4/7) Stephan Janse van Rensburg (0/2)	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	23 February 2015	UP Tuks	53–8	Maties	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
	19:00	Try: Jannes Kirsten  14' Wiaan Liebenberg  21' Reniel Hugo  24' Rudolph Smith  32' Dewald Human  41' Jermaine Kleinsmith  50' Nqoba Mxoli  70' Con: Joshua Stander  22', 24', 33', 42', 51', 71' (6/7)	Report[26] Scoreboard[27]	Try: JP Lewis  17' Con: Brandon Thomson  18' (1/1)	Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	23 February 2015	UCT Ikey Tigers	40–13	NMMU Madibaz	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
	18:30	Try: Warren Seals  7' James Alexander  38' Guy Alexander  45' Jason Klaasen  50' Luke Stringer  80' Con: Warren Seals  8', 39', 46', 51', 81' (5/5) Cards: Chad Solomon 65' to 75'	Report[28] Scoreboard[29]	Try: Tyler Paul  28' Warrick Venter  74' Con: Ruan Allerston  29' (1/1) Jarryd Buys (0/1)	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys & Tahla Ntshakaza

	23 February 2015	UJ	10–8	NWU Pukke	UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
	18:30	Try: Kobus Porter  12' Con: Jaco Fourie  13' (1/1) Pen: Jaco Fourie  40' (1/1) Cards: Werner Lourens  31' Nico du Plessis  37'	Report[30] Scoreboard[31]	Try: Dalen Goliath  70' Con: Rhyno Smith  71' (1/1) Pen: Rhyno Smith (0/1)	Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

Round Four[]

	2 March 2015	UCT Ikey Tigers	90–8	CUT Ixias	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
	16:45	Try: Jason Klaasen  3' Warren Seals  9', 41' Ryan Dugmore  17', 68' Khanyo Ngcukana  31', 79' Chad Solomon  48' Lihleli Xoli  54' Dylan Sage  57' Guy Schwikkard  65' Luke Stringer  67' Con: Warren Seals  10', 18', 32', 42' (4/5) Tom Bednall  49', 55', 58', 66', 69', 80' (6/7) Cards: Dylan Sage 36' to 45'	Report[32] Scoreboard[33]	Try: Dean Kouprihanoff  77' Con: Arrie Vosloo  78' (1/1)	Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

	2 March 2015	NMMU Madibaz	13–42	UJ	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	19:00	Try: CJ Velleman  2' Yamkela Ngam  42' Con: Steven Hansel  3' (1/2)	Report[34] Scoreboard[35]	Try: Kobus Porter  9' Robert de Bruyn  12', 47' Adrian Vermeulen  36' Wian Conradie  68' penalty try  75' Con: Jaco Fourie  10', 37', 69' (3/5) Jamie Campbell  76' (1/1) Cards: David Antonites 45' to 55'	Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	2 March 2015	NWU Pukke	42–37	UP Tuks	Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
	18:30	Try: Dalen Goliath  10' Dean Stokes  32', 39' Dillon Smit  58' Marno Redelinghuys  77' Con: Rhyno Smith  11', 33', 40', 59', 78' (5/5) Pen: Rhyno Smith  13' (1/2) Cards: Rhyno Smith 19' to 29' Mogau Mabokela 66' to 76'	Report[36] Scoreboard[37]	Try: Wiaan Liebenberg  18' André Warner  25' Clyde Davids  28' Damian van Wyk  73' Jaco Visagie  79' Con: Joshua Stander  19', 29', 74', 80' (4/5)	Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi & Archie Sehlako

	2 March 2015	UFS Shimlas	21–16	Maties	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Niel Marais  5' AJ Coertzen  20' Daniel Maartens  64' Con: Niel Marais  6', 21' (2/3) Pen: Niel Marais (0/1) Cards: Henco Venter  80'	Report[38] Scoreboard[39]	Try: John-Hubert Meyer  14' Bjorn Bernardo  26' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  15', 27' (2/2)	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys & Tahla Ntshakaza

Round Five[]

	9 March 2015	Maties	16–15	UJ	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
	16:45	Try: Beyers de Villiers  58' Jacobus van der Merwe  69' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  59' (1/1) Brandon Thomson  70' (1/1)	Report[40] Scoreboard[41]	Try: Adrian Vermeulen  3' Bradley Moolman  51' Con: Jaco Fourie  4' (1/2) Pen: Jaco Fourie  37' (1/2)	Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	9 March 2015	NWU Pukke	21–40	UCT Ikey Tigers	Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
	19:00	Try: Jeandré Rudolph  5' Rhyno Smith  12' Johan Deysel  38' Con: Rhyno Smith  13', 39' (2/3) Cards: Wilmar Arnoldi  78'	Report[42] Scoreboard[43]	Try: Lihleli Xoli  2' Jason Klaasen  16', 26', 78' Khanyo Ngcukana  43' Con: Warren Seals  3', 17', 27', 44', 79' (5/5) Pen: Warren Seals (0/1)	Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

	9 March 2015	NMMU Madibaz	21–23	UFS Shimlas	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	18:30	Try: Jarryd Buys  27' Tythan Adams  51' Tyler Paul  66' Con: Steven Hansel  28', 67' (2/3) Cards: CJ Velleman 10' to 20'	Report[44] Scoreboard[45]	Try: Fiffy Rampeta  3' Teunis Nieuwoudt  11' Renier Botha  19' Con: Niel Marais  4', 12' (2/3) Pen: Niel Marais  81' (1/2)	Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

	9 March 2015	UP Tuks	63–8	CUT Ixias	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
	18:30	Try: Jannes Kirsten  1' Dayan van der Westhuizen  9' Jaco Visagie  26' JT Jackson  35' Jermaine Kleinsmith  38' Reniel Hugo  46' Clyde Davids  50' Dan Kriel  57' Jan Enslin  64' Con: Dewald Human  10', 36', 39', 47', 50', 58' (6/9)	Report[46] Scoreboard[47]	Try: Duan Pretorius  43' Con: Duan Pretorius  44' (1/1)	Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen & Ben Crouse

Round Six[]

	16 March 2015	UFS Shimlas	44–24	UCT Ikey Tigers	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	16:45	Try: Gerhard Olivier  1', 36', 59' Joe van der Hoogt  16' Daniel Maartens  19', 28' Boela Venter  74' Con: Niel Marais  17', 20', 38' (3/7)	Report[48] Scoreboard[49]	Try: Lihleli Xoli  25', 65' Guy Schwikkard  56' Con: Nick Holton  26', 57', 66' (3/3)	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	16 March 2015	UJ	0–34	UP Tuks	UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
	19:00		Report[50] Scoreboard[51]	Try: Dan Kriel  23' Dayan van der Westhuizen  51' JT Jackson  60' Joshua Stander  67' Andrew Beerwinkel  74' Con: Joshua Stander  61', 68', 74' (3/5)	Referee: Jaco Pretorius & Tahla Ntshakaza

	16 March 2015	Maties	26–16	NMMU Madibaz	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
	18:30	Try: Beyers de Villiers  4' Kobus van Dyk  48' Niel Oelofse  55' Michael Muller  68' Con: Brandon Thomson  56', 69' (2/4)	Report[52] Scoreboard[53]	Try: Devon Lailvaux  11' Andisa Ntsila  44' Con: Steven Hansel  12', 45' (2/2) Cards: Andisa Ntsila  48'	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	16 March 2015	CUT Ixias	16–53	NWU Pukke	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Len Noort  12' Duan Pretorius  70' Con: Duan Pretorius  13', 71' (2/2)	Report[54] Scoreboard[55]	Try: Dillon Smit  5' Rhyno Smith  16' Rowayne Beukman  19', 46' Dean Stokes  25' Molotsi Bouwer  67' Loftus Morrison  80' Con: Rhyno Smith  6', 20', 26', 47', 68', 80' (6/7)	Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

Round Seven[]

	23 March 2015	NMMU Madibaz	8–40	UP Tuks	NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	16:45	Try: Brian Skosana  75' Con: Steven Hansel  76' (1/1)	Report[56] Scoreboard[57]	Try: Wiaan Liebenberg  6', 67' Reniel Hugo  44' Clyde Davids  62' Riaan Britz  79' Con: Joshua Stander  7', 45', 63' (3/3) Dewald Human  68', 80' (2/2)	Referee: Quinton Immelman & Cwengile Jadezweni

	23 March 2015	UFS Shimlas	29–26	NWU Pukke	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	19:00	Try: Elandré Huggett  9' Niell Jordaan  18' Gerhard Olivier  40', 65' Con: AJ Coertzen  10', 19', 40' (3/4)	Report[58] Scoreboard[59]	Try: Dalen Goliath  15' Dillon Smit  43' Johan Deysel  69', 75' Con: Rhyno Smith  44', 76' (2/4)	Referee: Francois Pretorius & Rodney Boneparte

	23 March 2015	UCT Ikey Tigers	8–0	UJ	UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
	18:30	Try: Jason Klaasen  3' Con: Warren Seals  4' (1/1) Pen: Warren Seals (0/1)	Report[60] Scoreboard[61]		Referee: Lourens van der Merwe & Jaco Kotze

	23 March 2015	CUT Ixias	8–53	Maties	CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
	18:30	Try: Lethole Mokoena  34' Con: Duan Pretorius  35' (1/1) Cards: Mosego Toolo 16' to 26' Duan Pretorius 59' to 71'	Report[62] Scoreboard[63]	Try: Bjorn Bernardo  4' Coenraad Fick  18', 31', 61' Paul Streicher  54' Kobus van Dyk  73' Derick Linde  76' Con: Brandon Thomson  5', 19', 32', 55' (4/5) Ernst Stapelberg  74', 77' (2/2)	Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

Semi-Finals[]

	30 March 2015	UFS Shimlas	21–10	UCT Ikey Tigers	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	16:45	Try: Niell Jordaan  10' Daniel Maartens  28' Maphutha Dolo  61' Con: Niel Marais  11', 29' (2/3) Pen: Niel Marais (0/1)	Report[64] Scoreboard[65]	Try: Jason Klaasen  18' Chad Solomon  37' Con: Warren Seals (0/2) Cards: Lihleli Xoli  72'	Referee: Pro Legoete & Jaco Pretorius

	30 March 2015	UP Tuks	28–29	NWU Pukke	LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
	19:00	Try: Wiaan Liebenberg  12' JT Jackson  23' Dan Kriel  46' Clyde Davids  64' Riaan Britz  71' Con: Joshua Stander  47' (1/4) Dewald Human (0/1)	Report[66] Scoreboard[67]	Try: Marno Redelinghuys  15' Jeandré Rudolph  28' Dillon Smit  57' Johnny Welthagen  77' Con: Rhyno Smith  20' (1/3) Dillon Smit (0/1) Pen: Rhyno Smith  21', 26', 39' (3/3) Cards: Jeandré Rudolph  9'	Referee: Rodney Boneparte & Francois Pretorius

Final[]

	13 April 2015	UFS Shimlas	63–33	NWU Pukke	Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
	19:00	Try: Joe van der Hoogt  7' Niell Jordaan  23' Maphutha Dolo  34', 70' Daniel Maartens  38', 74' Nico Lee  42', 54' Niel Marais  68' Con: Niel Marais  8', 35', 43', 55', 68', 75' (6/9)	Report[68] Scoreboard[69]"	Try: Malherbe Swart  9' Johan Deysel  11' Jeandré Rudolph  48' Rowayne Beukman  82' Con: Rhyno Smith  10', 12', 83' (3/4) Pen: Rhyno Smith  4', 27' (2/2) Cards: Marno Redelinghuys 6' to 17' Jeandré Rudolph 31' to 41'	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys & Tahla Ntshakaza

Honours[]

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

2015 Varsity Cup Honours
Champions:	UFS Shimlas (1st title)
Player That Rocks:	Rhyno Smith, NWU Pukke
Forward That Rocks:	Jason Klaasen, UCT Ikey Tigers
Back That Rocks:	AJ Coertzen, UFS Shimlas
Top Try Scorers:	Daniel Maartens, UFS Shimlas / Gerhard Olivier, UFS Shimlas (8)
Top Points Scorer:	Rhyno Smith, NWU Pukke (101)

Players[]

Player statistics[]

The following table contain points which have been scored in games in the 2015 Varsity Cup season:^[70]

All point scorers
No	Player	Team	T	C	P	DG	Pts
1	Rhyno Smith	NWU Pukke	4	23	6	0	101
2	Niel Marais	UFS Shimlas	2	25	1	0	87
3	Warren Seals	UCT Ikey Tigers	3	22	0	0	81
4	Joshua Stander	UP Tuks	1	23	0	0	74
5	Daniel Maartens	UFS Shimlas	8	0	0	0	40
	Gerhard Olivier	UFS Shimlas	8	0	0	0	40
7	Brandon Thomson	Maties	0	12	0	0	36
8	Jason Klaasen	UCT Ikey Tigers	7	0	0	0	35
9	Dewald Human	UP Tuks	1	8	0	0	29
10	Niell Jordaan	UFS Shimlas	5	0	0	0	25
	Dan Kriel	UP Tuks	5	0	0	0	25
	Wiaan Liebenberg	UP Tuks	5	0	0	0	25
	Dillon Smit	NWU Pukke	5	0	0	0	25
	Dean Stokes	NWU Pukke	5	0	0	0	25
15	Jaco Fourie	UJ	1	5	2	0	24
16	Duan Pretorius	CUT Ixias	2	4	0	0	22
17	Rowayne Beukman	NWU Pukke	4	0	0	0	20
	Clyde Davids	UP Tuks	4	0	0	0	20
	Beyers de Villiers	Maties	4	0	0	0	20
	Johan Deysel	NWU Pukke	4	0	0	0	20
	Maphutha Dolo	UFS Shimlas	4	0	0	0	20
	Dalen Goliath	NWU Pukke	4	0	0	0	20
	Jermaine Kleinsmith	UP Tuks	4	0	0	0	20
	Kobus Porter	UJ	4	0	0	0	20
	Jeandré Rudolph	NWU Pukke	4	0	0	0	20
	Kobus van Dyk	Maties	4	0	0	0	20
	Lihleli Xoli	UCT Ikey Tigers	4	0	0	0	20
28	Ruan Allerston	NMMU Madibaz	0	6	0	0	18
	Tom Bednall	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	6	0	0	18
	Steven Hansel	NMMU Madibaz	0	6	0	0	18
	Ernst Stapelberg	Maties	0	6	0	0	18
32	Tythan Adams	NMMU Madibaz	3	0	0	0	15
	Guy Alexander	UCT Ikey Tigers	3	0	0	0	15
	Riaan Britz	UP Tuks	3	0	0	0	15
	Coenraad Fick	Maties	3	0	0	0	15
	Reniel Hugo	UP Tuks	3	0	0	0	15
	JT Jackson	UP Tuks	3	0	0	0	15
	Devon Lailvaux	NMMU Madibaz	3	0	0	0	15
	Nico Lee	UFS Shimlas	3	0	0	0	15
	JP Lewis	Maties	3	0	0	0	15
	Khanyo Ngcukana	UCT Ikey Tigers	3	0	0	0	15
42	AJ Coertzen	UFS Shimlas	1	3	0	0	14
43	Enrico Acker	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Bjorn Bernardo	Maties	2	0	0	0	10
	Robert de Bruyn	UJ	2	0	0	0	10
	Ryan Dugmore	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Dean Kouprihanoff	CUT Ixias	2	0	0	0	10
	Jannes Kirsten	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
	Vuyani Maqina	UFS Shimlas	2	0	0	0	10
	Nqoba Mxoli	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
	Yamkela Ngam	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Andries Oosthuizen	UJ	2	0	0	0	10
	Tyler Paul	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Marno Redelinghuys	NWU Pukke	2	0	0	0	10
	Dylan Sage	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Guy Schwikkard	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Chad Solomon	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Brian Skosana	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Ruan Steenkamp	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
	Luke Stringer	UCT Ikey Tigers	2	0	0	0	10
	Joe van der Hoogt	UFS Shimlas	2	0	0	0	10
	Dayan van der Westhuizen	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
	Conraad van Vuuren	UFS Shimlas	2	0	0	0	10
	CJ Velleman	NMMU Madibaz	2	0	0	0	10
	Adrian Vermeulen	UJ	2	0	0	0	10
	Jaco Visagie	UP Tuks	2	0	0	0	10
67	Jamie Campbell	UJ	0	3	0	0	9
	Nick Holton	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	3	0	0	9
69	James Alexander	UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
	Craig Barry	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Andrew Beerwinkel	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Anrich Bitzi	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Renier Botha	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Molotsi Bouwer	NWU Pukke	1	0	0	0	5
	Jarryd Buys	NMMU Madibaz	1	0	0	0	5
	Paul Cohen	UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
	Wian Conradie	UJ	1	0	0	0	5
	Aphiwe Dyantyi	UJ	1	0	0	0	5
	Jan Enslin	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Ian Groenewald	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Elandré Huggett	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Marco Klopper	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Derick Linde	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Duncan Matthews	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	John-Hubert Meyer	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Ali Mgijima	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Lethole Mokoena	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Bradley Moolman	UJ	1	0	0	0	5
	Loftus Morrison	NWU Pukke	1	0	0	0	5
	Michael Muller	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Robin Murray	UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
	Ryan Nell	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Teunis Nieuwoudt	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Len Noort	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Andisa Ntsila	NMMU Madibaz	1	0	0	0	5
	Niel Oelofse	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Mark Prior	UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
	Phanta Qinisile	UJ	1	0	0	0	5
	Fiffy Rampeta	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Rudolph Smith	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Paul Streicher	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Malherbe Swart	NWU Pukke	1	0	0	0	5
	Masego Toolo	CUT Ixias	1	0	0	0	5
	Jacobus van der Merwe	Maties	1	0	0	0	5
	Damian van Wyk	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Boela Venter	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
	Warrick Venter	NMMU Madibaz	1	0	0	0	5
	André Warner	UP Tuks	1	0	0	0	5
	Johnny Welthagen	NWU Pukke	1	0	0	0	5
	Arthur Williams	UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5
111	Jesse du Toit	CUT Ixias	0	1	0	0	3
	Warren Gilbert	NWU Pukke	0	1	0	0	3
	Koos Loubser	Maties	0	1	0	0	3
	Arrie Vosloo	CUT Ixias	0	1	0	0	3
—	penalty try	NWU Pukke	2	0	0	0	10
		UJ	2	0	0	0	10
		UCT Ikey Tigers	1	0	0	0	5
		UFS Shimlas	1	0	0	0	5

Squad lists[]

The teams released the following squad lists:

Discipline[]

The following table contains all the cards handed out during the tournament:^[79]

Cards
Player	Team
Jeandré Rudolph	NWU Pukke	0	3
Andisa Ntsila	NMMU Madibaz	0	2
Brian Skosana	NMMU Madibaz	0	2
CJ Velleman	NMMU Madibaz	0	2
Tythan Adams	NMMU Madibaz	0	1
David Antonites	UJ	0	1
Wilmar Arnoldi	NWU Pukke	0	1
Gerard Baard	CUT Ixias	0	1
Tienie Burger	UFS Shimlas	0	1
Nico du Plessis	UJ	0	1
Ivan-John du Preez	NMMU Madibaz	0	1
Arno Ebersohn	NMMU Madibaz	0	1
Steven Hansel	NMMU Madibaz	0	1
Werner Lourens	UJ	0	1
Mogau Mabokela	NWU Pukke	0	1
Boetie Maketlo	CUT Ixias	0	1
Loftus Morrison	NWU Pukke	0	1
Duan Pretorius	CUT Ixias	0	1
Marno Redelinghuys	NWU Pukke	0	1
Dylan Sage	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	1
Frans Sisita	CUT Ixias	0	1
Rhyno Smith	NWU Pukke	0	1
Chad Solomon	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	1
Ernst Stapelberg	Maties	0	1
Mosego Toolo	CUT Ixias	0	1
Kyle van Dalen	UJ	0	1
Henco Venter	UFS Shimlas	0	1
Johnny Welthagen	NWU Pukke	0	1
Lihleli Xoli	UCT Ikey Tigers	0	1
* Legend: = Sent off, = Sin-binned

Dream Team[]

After the 2015 Varsity Cup, a Varsity Cup Dream Team was announced. This team would play against the South Africa Under-20s in Stellenbosch on 21 April 2015. The head coach of the champions UFS Shimlas, Franco Smith, was appointed as the coach of the side and UP Tuks lock Reniel Hugo was appointed as captain. Inny Radebe, who played for the 2015 Varsity Shield champions UKZN Impi was also named in the squad.

Dan Kriel and Jaco Visagie were originally selected in the 2015 Varsity Cup Dream Team, but subsequently replaced by Johan Deysel and Elandré Huggett respectively.

Varsity Cup Dream Team^[80]

Forwards		Irné Herbst • Elandré Huggett • Reniel Hugo • John-Roy Jenkinson • Wiaan Liebenberg • Nqoba Mxoli • Gerhard Olivier • Jeandré Rudolph • Joe Smith • Chad Solomon • Walt Steenkamp • Dayan van der Westhuizen • Henco Venter
Backs		Rowayne Beukman • Johan Deysel • Maphutha Dolo • JP Lewis • Zee Mkhabela • Inny Radebe �� Dillon Smit • Rhyno Smith • Johnny Welthagen
Coach		Franco Smith

The Dream Team made the early running in the match, with two first-half tries – a penalty try and a try by full-back Rhyno Smith – giving them a 12–10 half-time lead over the South African Under-20s. Second-half tries by Dillon Smit and Elandré Huggett proved to not be enough, with the South African Under-20s running out 31–24 winners.

	21 April 2015	Varsity Cup Dream Team	24–31	South Africa Under-20	Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
	18:30	Try: penalty try  22' Rhyno Smith  38' Dillon Smit  59' Elandré Huggett  69' Con: Inny Radebe  23' (1/2) Rhyno Smith  60' (1/2) Cards: Dayan van der Westhuizen 65' to 74'	Scoreboard[81]	Try: Daniël du Plessis  36' Jan van der Merwe  43' penalty try  65' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  37' (1/2) Brandon Thomson  66' (1/1) Pen: Ernst Stapelberg  40', 48' (2/2) Brandon Thomson  73', 76' (2/2) Cards: Jean-Luc du Preez 22' to 32'

Referees[]

The following referees officiated matches in the 2015 Varsity Cup:

See also[]

• Varsity Cup
• 2015 Varsity Rugby
• 2015 Varsity Shield
• 2015 SARU Community Cup
• 2015 Vodacom Cup

References[]

External links[]

• "Official site". Varsity Cup. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
• "SA Rugby Competition – 2015 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 8 June 2016.