It will be a spectacular weekend at Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø from Friday, 04 March 2022 to Sunday 06 March 2022, when the opening games of the Varsity Shield take place at Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø Great Field.
Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø Sports Administration Manager Frans Mamabolo said it¡¯s all systems go on preparations to host all the universities playing in the Varsity Shield. ¡°It promises to be an exciting weekend at Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø. All the Eastern Cape universities will bring supporters, but we are required to maintain the number of spectators under 2000. All COVID-19 protocols will be adhered to, and stadium security officials will be present to enforce these rules,¡± said Mamabolo.
The games will be as follows:
Round one on Friday, 04 March 2022:
- FNB Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø of Fort Hare Blues vs FNB Tshwane Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø of Technology Vikings at 15h00
- FNB Walter Sisulu Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø All Blacks vs FNB Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø of KwaZulu Natal Impi at 17h00
- FNB Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø vs FNB Cape Peninsula Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø of Technology at 19h00
Round two on Sunday, 06 March 2022:
- FNB Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø of KwaZulu Natal Impi vs FNB Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø of Fort Hare Blues at 13h00
- FNB Tshwane Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø of Technology Vikings vs FNB Walter Sisulu Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø All Blacks at 15h00
- FNB Durban Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø of Technology vs FNB Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø at 17h00
Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø rugby captain Simelela Mbanzi said they are ready for the opening of the Varsity Shield. He said: ¡°We had a lot of numbers for our pre-season, which is something we did not have previously. We used to scramble for players, but we had a full squad this year. Everyone is fit conditioning-wise; we are perfect. We want to work on a few things, but we are match-ready. This year I want us to be more competitive and be up on the league table.¡±
The newly-appointed Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø rugby coach, Andy Royle, said he was very impressed with the enthusiasm of his squad. ¡°We are controlling the controllable and influencing what we can influence. We have put a lot of time into training, and I hope to see a better performance from the boys, and the home ground advantage will be a big factor for us. We are expecting a tough encounter as we will be playing a double-header against teams that would have played individual games,¡± the former Wits Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø coach said.
Tickets are sold R20 for a day pass and R60 if one wants a supporter¡¯s t-shirt. Mamabolo said there will be funfair and fireworks, DJs, dancers, and singing of the National Anthem. All games will be televised on SuperSport.