The 2012 Varsity Cup was contested from 6 February to 9 April 2012. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the fifth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.
The tournament was won by for the first time; they beat 29–21 in the final played on 9 April 2012. were automatically relegated to the second-tier Varsity Shield competition for 2013, but won their relegation play-off match against to remain in the Varsity Cup for 2013.
All four 2012 Varsity Rugby competitions will use a different scoring system to the regular system. Tries will be worth five points as usual, but conversions will be worth three points, while penalties and drop goals will only be worth two points.[1]
| 2012 Varsity Cup | |
| Countries: | South Africa |
| Date: | 6 February – 9 April 2012 |
| Count: | 1 |
| Matches: | 31 |
| Tries: | 234 |
| Top Point Scorer: | Wesley Dunlop (83) |
| Top Try Scorer: | Chrysander Botha / Andrew van Wyk (9) |
| Prevseason: | 2011 |
| Nextseason: | 2013 |
There are eight participating universities in the 2012 Varsity Cup. These teams will play each other once over the course of the season, either home or away.
Teams receive four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points are awarded to teams that score four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lose a match by seven points or less. Teams are ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top four teams will qualify for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the team that finishes first will have home advantage against the team that finishes fourth, while the team that finishes second will have home advantage against the team that finishes third. The winners of these semi-finals will play each other in the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.
The team that finishes eighth in the Varsity Cup will be relegated to the 2013 Varsity Shield. The team that finishes seventh in the Varsity Cup will play a promotion/relegation match against the second-placed Varsity Shield team for a place in the 2013 Varsity Cup.[2]
The following teams took part in the 2012 Varsity Cup competition:
| 2012 Varsity Cup teams | |||
| Team Name | University | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stellenbosch University | |||
| North-West University | |||
| University of Cape Town | |||
| University of the Free State | |||
| University of Pretoria | |||
| University of Johannesburg |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Tries For | Tries Against | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Points< | -- | Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts--> | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 244 | 118 | +126 | 31 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 206 | 84 | +122 | 28 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 270 | 118 | +152 | 35 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 237 | 163 | +74 | 32 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 233 | 240 | -7 | 33 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 188 | 257 | -69 | 22 | 34 | 2 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 164 | 195 | -31 | 23 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 82 | 449 | -367 | 10 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| The top 4 teams qualified for the semi-finals. The seventh-placed team played in the promotion/relegation play-offs. The bottom team was relegated. 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 FNB Varsity Cup Champions: | (1st title) | |
| Player That Rocks: | Wesley Dunlop, | |
| Forward That Rocks: | Jaco Swanepoel, | |
| Back That Rocks: | Clayton Blommetjies, | |
| Top Try Scorers: | Chrysander Botha, Andrew van Wyk, (9) | |
| Top Points Scorer: | Wesley Dunlop, (83) |
| 2012 Varsity Shield | |
| Matches: | 21 |
| Tries: | 126 |
| Top Point Scorer: | Jannie Myburgh, (108) |
| Top Try Scorer: | Inus Kritzinger, Alec Mhlanga, Cheslyn Roberts, (6) |
| Prevseason: | 2011 |
| Nextseason: | 2013 |
There are five participating universities in the 2012 Varsity Shield. These teams will play each other twice over the course of the season, once at home and once away.[3]
Teams receive four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points are awarded to teams that score four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lose a match by seven points or less. Teams are ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top two teams will qualify for the title play-offs. The team that finishes first will have home advantage against the team that finishes second.
The team that wins the Varsity Shield will be promoted to the 2013 Varsity Cup.
The team that loses in the play-off final will play a promotion/relegation match against the seventh placed Varsity Cup team for a place in the 2013 Varsity Cup.[4]
The team that finishes bottom might also be challenged to play in a play-off.
| Varsity Shield | |||
| Team Name | University | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central University of Technology | CUT Stadium | ||
| University of Fort Hare | Davidson Rugby Field | ||
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | Peter Booysen Sports Park | ||
| University of the Western Cape | UWC Sport Stadium | ||
| University of the Witwatersrand | Wits Rugby Stadium |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Tries For | Tries Against | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Points< | -- | Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts--> | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 283 | 120 | +163 | 35 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 210 | 124 | +86 | 25 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 230 | 242 | -12 | 29 | 34 | 4 | 1 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 143 | 235 | -92 | 17 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 111 | 256 | -145 | 16 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| The top 2 teams qualified for the Final. The winner of the Final will be promoted. The loser of the Final will play in the promotion/relegation play-off. 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following players made at least one matchday squad during the season:
| 2012 FNB Varsity Shield Champions: | (1st title) | |
| Player That Rocks: | Masixole Banda, | |
| Forward That Rocks: | Charlton van Jaarsveld, | |
| Back That Rocks: | Inus Kritzinger, | |
| Top Try Scorers: | Inus Kritzinger, Alec Mhlanga, Cheslyn Roberts, (6) | |
| Top Points Scorer: | Jannie Myburgh, (108) |
There are eight participating universities in the 2012 Young Guns competition. These teams are divided into two pools (the FNB pool and the Steinhoff pool) and will play the other teams in the pool once over the course of the season, either home or away.
Teams receive four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points are awarded to teams that score four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lose a match by seven points or less. Teams are ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top two teams in each pool will qualify for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the teams that finish first will have home advantage against the teams that finish second in their respective pools. The winners of these semi-finals will play each other in the final.[5]
| Young Guns | ||||
| Team Name | Sponsored Name | University | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steinhoff Maties Juniors | Stellenbosch University | Craven Stadium | ||
| FNB NMMU Young Guns | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | Xerox NMMU Stadium | ||
| FNB NWU Pukke Young Guns | North-West University | Fanie du Toit Stadium | ||
| FNB TUT Vikings Young Guns | Tshwane University of Technology | TUT Stadium | ||
| FNB UCT Trojans | University of Cape Town | UCT Rugby Fields | ||
| FNB UFS Shimlas Young Guns | University of the Free State | Xerox Shimla Park | ||
| FNB UJ Young Guns | University of Johannesburg | UJ Stadium | ||
| FNB UP Tuks Young Guns | University of Pretoria | L.C. de Villiers Rugby Stadium |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Tries For | Tries Against | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Points< | -- | Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts--> | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 248 | 41 | +207 | 32 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 147 | 76 | +71 | 20 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 73 | 95 | -22 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 278 | -256 | 2 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Tries For | Tries Against | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Points< | -- | Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts--> | |
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 128 | 52 | +76 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 139 | 55 | +84 | 17 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 106 | 79 | +27 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 208 | -187 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| The top 2 teams in each pool will qualify for the semi-finals. 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 FNB Young Guns Champions: | (1st title) |
There are eight participating teams in the 2012 Koshuis Rugby Championship - the winners of the internal leagues of each of the eight Varsity Cup teams. These teams are divided into two pools (the Penny Pinchers pool and the Hertz pool) and will play the other teams in the pool once over the course of the season, either home or away.
Teams receive four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points are awarded to teams that score four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lose a match by seven points or less. Teams are ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top two teams in each pool will qualify for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the teams that finish first will have home advantage against the teams that finish second in their respective pools. The winners of these semi-finals will play each other in the final.[6]
| Koshuis Rugby Championship | |||
| Koshuis Name | University Team Name | University Team | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bastion | University of Johannesburg | ||
| Cobras | University of Cape Town | ||
| Dagbreek | Stellenbosch University | ||
| Monitor | Tshwane University of Technology | ||
| Mopanie | University of Pretoria | ||
| Oppidani | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | ||
| Patria | North-West University | ||
| Vishuis | University of the Free State |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Bonus Points | Points< | -- | Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts--> | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vishuis, | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 174 | 45 | +129 | 2 | 14 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Dagbreek, | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 72 | 46 | +26 | 2 | 10 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Mopanie, | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 75 | 50 | +25 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Monitor, | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 37 | 217 | -180 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Bonus Points | Points< | -- | Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts--> | |
| 1 | Patria, | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 156 | 57 | +99 | 4 | 12 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Cobras, | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 96 | 61 | +35 | 3 | 11 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Bastion, | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 84 | 86 | -2 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Oppidani, | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 168 | -132 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| The top 2 teams in each pool will qualify for the semi-finals. 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 Steinhoff Koshuis Rugby Champions: | Vishuis, (2nd title) |