Michael Horak has named his UKZN Impi team to take on the TUT Vikings in Pretoria tonight, the side’s second Varsity Shield fixture in just four days.
Horak has made a number of rotational changes in the interests of keeping his side fresh. Curwin Bosch replaces Tristan Tedder at flyhalf in one of the changes, while hooker Mikyle Webster has recovered form injury and will also play tonight and resume his regular role of captain.
Also back in action tonight are big winger Sbusiso Nkosi and promising loose forward Mike Meyer, both of whom starred in the Impi’s opening win against Wits.
The game kicks off tonight at 18h30 at the TUT Stadium in Tshwane.
UKZN: 15. Spa Dube, 14. Sbusiso Nkosi, 13. Grant Rattray, 12. Wayno Visagie, 11. Shayne Makombe, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Wikus Badenhorst, 8. Michael Meyer, 7. Sanele Malwane, 6. Kwezi Puza, 5. Juan Droste, 4. Jordan Martin, 3. Ntando Mpofana, 2. Mikyle Webster (capt), 1. Andrew Acton
Subs: 16. Kerron Van Vuuren, 17. Lindokuhle Radebe, 18. Rikus Swart, 19. Zwela Zondi, 20. Langa Shange, 21. Tristan Tedder, 22. Tristan Blewett, 23. Pierre Van Der Walt

Go Impi!
Wow, so Tristan Tredder’s reward for two man of the match performances are to be subbed, wonder how that will go down?
@stevovo (Comment 2) : He started a match only 4 days ago and could do with a break!
@stevovo (Comment 2) : we have to stop thinking like this. We really do.
Well looks like the Sharks has plenty of rising starts in the No. 10 jumper. Sadly we will not be able to keep them all. Especially with Lambie (when fit again) and Inny in front of them.
I’m also very happy the lads are playing so well. Just to confirm the team on top of the table will be promoted and not be subject to a play-off first?
@SeanyJMc (Comment 3) : @robdylan (Comment 4) : If its purely rotation due to requiring a rest, I get it, otherwise I don’t.
@stevovo (Comment 6) : Steve, I think we have to assume it’s rotational.
C’mon, 2 games in 4 days?
@Farlington (Comment 5) : that is correct. Varsity Cup is expanding to 9 teams next year.
TUT is a tricky side on their home turf. If Impi go ahead early it could be a good score. if TUT manage to keep it close then they have the ability to produce an upset. Early points are vital for Impi as they dont need a tough test in this game before they play Wits
@robdylan (Comment 8) : Great thanks Rob. What do you think about our future flyhalves? Do you think we can maintain a pool of such talent in one position barring injuries off-course.
@Farlington (Comment 10) : Could the overlap in Super Rugby and CC be used to our advantage here? Perhaps our Impi flyhalves can be used in CC after the Varsity Shield wraps up? I can’t check the start and end dates of each competition right now but I suspect that it’s likely. Add the likelihood of injuries to the mix and there may not be concerns of a logjam just yet.
@robdylan (Comment 4) : 100% with you on rotation of players. However it is very important that this was explained to the players and I must believe it was done. Players and especially supporters must realise that you simply can’t play every minute of every game and that rotation will be a part of the game!!!!!!!!
@vanmartin (Comment 11) : @Farlington (Comment 10) : for now I think the Sharks can keep them all relatively happy. Problem will be once guys like Tedder and Bosch are to old to play age group rugby and others like Pat, April and Inny are still at the Sharks. Can’t se finding places in one team to keep them all happy, but let’s worry about that when we get there as injuries and the Euro/Pound can still change it a lot before then!
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Thank you.
@JD (Comment 13) : also be interesting to see if rob du preez,jr will also not move back to the sharks once his wp contract is over?
@50shadesofshark (Comment 15) : with all the current players I really can’t see the Sharks offering him a contract.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 15) : He must move back home.
@JD (Comment 16) : for team dynamics,imagine the influence on the twins if older brother is also in the team?imo sharks must get him back asap to durban.he is a shark at a heart.
Might be premature to move Tristan as ge finds form. Curwin from the bench maybe?
@coolfusion (Comment 19) : reasoning for this has been explained by @robdylan.see comment 7.this is rotational because tedder played on monday.he is on the bench for tonight’s game.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 18) : sorry to say it’s a team not a brotherhood. If he is better than the current players then yes Sharks must try to get him back but if he’s not then “Shark at heart” or not Sharks must stick with what they have.
Gooooo Impiiiiiii!!!
@50shadesofshark (Comment 20) : I see the reasoning. But I am questioning it. Sometimes rotating for the sake of it is not the best course. Sometimes continuity and player confidence must be considered if the risk is low enough.
@vanmartin (Comment 11) : Shield and CC Qualifying had better not overlap, since we have the same head coach for both competitions 🙂
@JD (Comment 21) : isnt that what the sharks are trying to build?a team of brothers? 😀
Not that I am too fazed. Both these boys are good and deserve some airtime so…meh. neither here nor there.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 25) : For as long as I have known them…
@coolfusion (Comment 23) : tedder is included in the match 23.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 25) : For as long as I have known them… Maybe Lambie should have married Mark Andrews daughter and had 10 kids. All boys. Then we could build a serious brotherhood.
Rebels beat samoa 85-0.dont know who played for samoa.with such a score,wonder if anyone did play?
@robdylan (Comment 24) : I actually sort of remember that now that you mention it. Well that settles it for me at least, enough matches for all our flyhalves to have a proper go of it then. With Lambie injured we’re reliant on the whole lot.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 30) : Aren’t most of Samoa’s recognised players earning pounds and euros right now?
@vanmartin (Comment 32) : mustve been a team drawn from the local clubs in samoa.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 33) : I think you’re right. Still, knowing how Samoa (and Fiji and Tonga) pride themselves in their rugby, that scoreline’s gotta hurt.
@vanmartin (Comment 34) : personally,i would never even think of playing a warm-up game against samoa.no matter who they select.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 35) : Fair point. That’s just asking for injuries.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 25) : fighting brother not actual blood brother. Think they’re only allowed to have one set of two brother to play that’s why the Dup brothers moved to France. 😈
@50shadesofshark (Comment 35) : @vanmartin (Comment 36) : for sure!!!!!!!!!!! they may lose the match but I have yet to see them lose a fight!!!!!!!!! 😈
13 – 10, Impi lead at the 20 minute strategy break.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 39) : things have worsened, I fear.
Latest I have is 23-13 to TUT
Nkosi just scored for us
half time, TUT 25 – 18 UKZN
UKZN Rugby [email protected]_Rugby 24s24 seconds ago
Curwin Bosch sidesteps half of TUT!
TRY!
we’re back in the lead 26-25
try Andrew Acton.
Impi 34 – 25 TUT
@robdylan (Comment 43) : Awesome
@robdylan (Comment 45) : Yes!
Impi 42 – 25 TUT.
Sbu Nkosi gets a second
@robdylan (Comment 47) : Woohoo!!
@robdylan (Comment 45) : Thanks for the updates…keeping a keen eye on your score updates
@robdylan (Comment 43) : he has a quick step.saw it in the impi vs wits game.
ukzn 63-30 tut
@50shadesofshark (Comment 51) : That escalated quickly … thanks for the update.
Did wits play fort hare today?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 52) : final score wits 37-8 ufh
@50shadesofshark (Comment 53) : thanks for the updates!!! Glad Impi won again!!!
How many games left for the season….are all teams playing each other home and away?
Really good result in the end, boys!
Curwin Bosch was the player that rocks! That makes it three awards in a row for the Impi flyhalves… 😆
@FireTheLooser (Comment 55) : Yup…home and away…the big one is up next weekend against Wits. If we win that we should be home and dry…
@pastorshark (Comment 57) : looks as if the competition is bringing the best out of them!!!!
@pastorshark (Comment 58) : going to be tough to beat them again but really hope they can step up and do it!!! Would love to have Impi in the Varsity cup!!!
@JD (Comment 60) : I reckon the next game will be their toughest one…GO IMPIIII!!
Sharks the new breeding ground for SA flyhalfs?
Great result at not an easy venue. Next game is the big one
Well done Impi!
Nice 😀
hurricanes beat crusaders 74-7. 12 tries to 1.
seems like the hurricanes might have a problem at goalkicker:only 7 from 12 conversions.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 67) : I think the Crusaders would be more concerned after that game than the Hurricanes…
@pastorshark (Comment 61) : @SheldonK (Comment 63) : yes for Impi to finish top the need to beat Wits on Monday night!!!!