ALSO READ: 2022 Varsity Cup preview: Coaches’ take (Part 1)

Maties: Norman Jordaan

Last year – Played: 10, Won: 7, Lost: 3
Best Varsity Cup finish – Champions (2008, 2009, 2010, 2018, 2019)

Expectations for 2022
The guys are excited about the fact that 2022 offers a more regular schedule and fans’ return to the stadiums. We want to win the Cup, but we also want to enjoy our rugby and entertain the crowds with an expansive brand of play.

Their squad
We’ve lost quite a few players since 2021, and are light on experience in positions like scrumhalf and lock. I don’t think the situation is unique to Maties, though, as every team has lost players since last year. How we respond to the challenge will be key. We have some great youngsters coming through the ranks, and an inspirational captain in Adriaan van der Bank.

Wits: Hugo van As

Last year – Played: 9, Won: 3, Lost: 6
Best Varsity Cup finish – 3rd on log (2018)

Expectations for 2022
Every team is going out there to win every game and we are no different. But we have a new generation of players here at Wits, and we find ourselves at the beginning of a new journey. There are fresh challenges this year, with a lot of competitions like the provincial U20 tournament and the Currie Cup running at the same time as the Varsity Cup, so you have to be prepared to lose some of your players to those competitions at some stage. That said, we have a vision for this group over the next three to four years, and we are putting some exciting structures into place. We know things won’t happen overnight, but are optimistic about what we could achieve.

Their squad
2021 marked the end of an era with skipper Constant Beckerling and a few other superstars moving on. A few of the younger players like loose forward Emmanuel Tshituka have gone on to represent the Lions in the Currie Cup. Fortunately, we still have some experienced players at our disposal, like props Ebot Buma and Jason Cloete, as well as No 8 Cal Smid. We don’t like to talk too much about individuals at Wits, though, because we have a culture that is focused on what we can achieve as a group.

Shimlas: Andre Tredoux

Last year – Played: 9, Won: 1, Drew: 2, Lost: 6
Best Varsity Cup finish – Champions (2015)

Joining Shimlas ahead of the 2022 season
There’s a new coaching staff this season [including former Lions and Springbok attack coach Swys de Bruin, as well as former Bok forwards Hendro Scholtz and Tiaan Liebenberg] so we are heading in a new direction. I was at the Madibaz last year, but I did spend a lot of time at UFS previously, coaching the Young Guns. I also played some rugby here as a youngster, so it’s a special place for me. I consider it an honour to be coaching a team with such a great attacking reputation.

Expectations for 2022
Attacking rugby is in Shimlas’ DNA, so it’s important that we stay true to that brand. In that respect, we are fortunate to have the best attacking mind in the world on our coaching staff. Swys de Bruin transformed the Lions into one of the world’s best attacking sides, and by playing that brand they progressed to three Super Rugby finals [2016-18]. I’ve been coaching for 20 years, but I consider myself fortunate to be in a position to learn from Swys. The players will also benefit from his input.

Their squad
Shayne Bolton went to Irish club Connacht at the end of the last Varsity Cup – which is a big loss for us, but a great move for the player. Flyhalf JP Duvenage is another big loss. Scrumhalf Rewan Kruger was appointed captain earlier this year, but then received a contract with the Cheetahs. He will be eligible for the Varsity Cup, though, if he’s not playing in the Currie Cup. Like many other teams, we lost a lot of players at the end of 2021. But we are optimistic about what we might do in 2022.