The 2021 Varsity Cup was the 14th season of the Varsity Cup, the top competition in the annual Varsity Rugby series. It was played between 4 February and 31 May 2021 and featured ten university teams.
won promotion from the Varsity Shield in 2019.
Competition rules and information
There were ten participating university teams in the 2021 Varsity Cup. They played each other once during the pool stage, either at 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 after the pool stage qualified for the semifinals, which were followed by a final.
This tournaments will take place in a secure COVID-19 bio-bubble called the FNB Varsity Cup Village, matches will be played at Tuks Stadium, the Tuks B-Field and Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Teams
Location of teams in the 2021 Varsity Cup Western Cape
The teams that played in the 2021 Varsity Cup are:
2021 Varsity Cup teams Team name University Central University of Technology Stellenbosch University Nelson Mandela University North-West University University of Cape Town University of the Free State University of Johannesburg University of Pretoria University of the Western Cape University of the Witwatersrand
Pool stage
Standings
The final log for the 2021 Varsity Cup was:
2021 Varsity Cup log Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB BP Pts 1 9 8 1 0 174 7 41 2 9 7 0 2 160 7 35 3 9 6 1 2 145 8 34 4 9 6 0 3 13 6 30 5 9 6 0 3 -25 5 29 6 9 3 1 5 0 6 20 7 9 2 1 6 -119 8 18 8 9 3 0 6 37 5 17 9 9 2 0 7 -120 7 15 10 9 0 0 9 -265 5 5 Correct as at 31 May 2021.
Legend and competition rules Legend: Qualified for the semifinals. 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 Competition rules: Qualification: The top four teams qualified for the semifinals.
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
Matches
The following matches were played in the 2021 Varsity Cup:
Play-offs
Semi-finals
Final
FB 15Athi Gazi RW 14Rihaz FredericksOC 13Evardi BoshoffIC 12Le Roux Malan LW 11Rethabile LouwFH 10James Tedder SH 9 William Rose N8 8 Christian Stehlik OF 7 Niel OttoBF 6 Liam Greenhalgh (c)RL 5 Gary PorterLL 4 Byron CranswickTP 3 Robert Hunt HK 2 Devon Arendse LP 1 Luthando Woji Replacements: 16Josh van Vuuren 17Seth Christian 18Ashwyn Adams 19Byron Bowes 20Taariq Kruger 21Kyle Bowman 22David Hayes 23Duran Koevort Coach:Christie Grobbelaar FB 15Zander du Plessis RW 14Stefan CoetzeeOC 13Sango Xamlashe (c)IC 12Louritz van der Schyff LW 11Ambesa ZenzeliFH 10David Coetzer SH 9 Clyde Lewis N8 8 Jaco BezuidenhoutOF 7 Hanru Sirge BF 6 Eduan LubbeRL 5 Thomas Meyer LL 4 Mihlali StamperTP 3 Damien Swartz HK 2 Werner Fourie LP 1 Cebo Dlamini Replacements: 16Llewellyn Classen 17Dewald Donald 18Etienne Janeke 19Orateng Koikanyang 20Stephan Smit 21Johan Mulder 22Enrique Oranje 23Tharquin Manuel Coach: Nicolas Mynhardt Player of the Match: Etienne Janeke
Honours
The honour roll for the 2021 Varsity Cup was as follows:
2021 Varsity Cup Honours Champions: (4th title) Player That Rocks: Cohen Jasper, Forward That Rocks: Tinotenda Mavesere, Back That Rocks: Munier Hartzenberg, Top Points Scorer: Zander du Plessis, (136) Top Try Scorer: Janus Venter, (12)
References