The 2014 Varsity Shield was contested from 27 January to 31 March 2014. The tournament (also known as the ''FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International'' for sponsorship reasons) was the fourth season of the

Varsity Shield Varsity Cup is the collective name for four South African rugby union competitions involving the top rugby playing universities in the country. It was launched in 2008, with eight teams participating in the Varsity Cup competition and each univers ...

, an annual second-tier inter-university

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the Comparison of rugby league and rugby union, two codes of ru ...

competition featuring five South African universities. The tournament was won by for the second consecutive time and third time overall; they beat 35–26 in the final played on 31 March 2015. were automatically promoted to the top-tier

Varsity Cup Varsity Cup is the collective name for four South African rugby union competitions involving the top rugby playing universities in the country. It was launched in 2008, with eight teams participating in the Varsity Cup competition and each univers ...

competition for

2015 File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the April ...

, but lost their promotion play-off match against to remain in the Varsity Shield for

. Bottom side won their relegation play-off match against challengers to also remain in the Varsity Shield for 2015.

Rules

The Varsity Shield used a different scoring system to the regular system. Tries were worth five points as usual, but conversions were worth three points, while penalties and drop goals were only worth two points.

Competition

There were five participating universities in the 2014 Varsity Shield. These teams played each other twice over the course of the season, once at home and once 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 two teams qualified for the title play-offs. These teams played each other in the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team. The Varsity Shield winner was promoted to the 2015 Varsity Cup competition, while the bottom team in the Varsity Cup was relegated to the 2015 Varsity Shield. There was also a promotion/relegation match between the 7th-placed team in the Varsity Cup and the Varsity Shield runner-up at the end of the 2014 season.

Teams

Standings

The final league standings for the 2014 Varsity Shield were:

Round-by-round

Fixtures

The 2014 Varsity Shield fixtures were as follows: * ''All times are South African (GMT+2)''.

Round one

Round two

Round three

Round four

Round five

Round six

Round seven

Round eight

Round nine

Round ten

Final

Players

Player statistics

The following table contains points which have been scored in the 2014 Varsity Shield.

Squad lists

The teams released the following squad lists: Forwards * Gerard Baard * Moekoa Bolofo * Fanie Coetzer * Daniel de Jager * Deon Gouws * Johann Grundlingh * Juan Hugo * Dean Kauprihanoff * Hanro Liebenberg * Vincent Maruping * Len Noort * Lyvette Shikwambana * Frans Sisita * Theuns Truter *

Danie van der Merwe Daniel Joubert van der Merwe (born in Frankfort, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player who last played for the . His regular position is prop. Career Youth Van der Merwe was selected to represent his local provincial side, th ...

* Ian van Wyk * Jasper Wiese * Did not play: * Junior Burger * Henko de Jager * Carl Gersbach * Boetie Maketla * JJ Nel * Kevin Pretorius * Jean-Luke van Zyl Backs * Heinrich Bitzi * Stephan Griesel * Marius Grobler * Charlie Hitchcock * Noël Marx *

Alec Mhlanga Alec or Aleck is a Scottish form of the given name Alex. It may be a diminutive of the name Alexander or a given name in its own right. Notable people with the name include: People *Alec Aalto (1942–2018), Finnish diplomat * Alec Acton (1938� ...

* Johan Nel * Duan Pretorius * Kholo Ramashala * Mosego Toolo * Johan van Schalkwyk * Did not play: * Hanro Pretorius * Stephan Schutte * Clinton Toua Coach * Skillie Bester Forwards * Ricardo Burger * Isak Deetlefs * Hamish Herd * Claude Johannes * Adriaan Joubert * Ewald Maré * Juan Maritz * Armand Marshall * Pieter Matthews * Mandla Mdaka * Barend Nordeje * David Pieterse * Werner Serfontein * Ryan Sim * Gerrit van Gerwe * Did not play: * Jan Arnoldus Els * Wayne Short Backs *

Leroy Afrika Leroy or Le Roy may refer to: People * Leroy (name), a given name and surname * Leroy (musician), American musician * Leroy (sailor), French sailor Places United States * Leroy, Alabama * Le Roy, Illinois * Le Roy, Iowa * Le Roy, Kansas * Le Roy ...

* Curtly Brinkhuis * Deon Fitchet * Brian Guillen * Morné Hugo * Deon Michael Joubert * Ralphton Minnaar * Edwin Oliver * Shane Pretorius * Gaybrin Smith * Andries Truter * Did not play: * Darrio Bezuidenhout * Shawn Jaards * Thabo Mangena * Thabang Mathebula * Paul Walters

tbc TBC may refer to: Education * Trinity Bible College in North Dakota, US * Tauranga Boys' College, a state secondary school in Tauranga, New Zealand Companies * Triangle Brewing Company of Durham, North Carolina, US * Tram et Bus de la CUB (TBC ...

* Did not play: * Quintis Anton Janse van Vuuren * Janco Muller * Lindokuhle Sambo * Diedrichdt Smit Coach * André Eloff Forwards * Masixole David *

Onke Dubase Onke Sydwell Dubase (born 6 August 1989) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the in domestic Currie Cup rugby. His regular position is flanker. Career Youth Dubase was included in the team for the 2009 and 2010 Und ...

Billy Dutton Billy Dutton (born 9 June 1989) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the . He is a utility forward that can play as a lock, flanker or number eight. Playing career Dutton joined the Border Bulldogs academy after hig ...

* Madoda Mbulelo Ludidi * Lwando Mabenge * Athenkosi Manentsa * Xola Mapapu * Ntyara Mkhafu * Thembelihle Mpapha * Olwethu Mputla * Angelo Timothy Nhlapo * Luzuko Nyabaza * Siyabulela Sijula * Sibusiso Sityebi * Sibabalwe Tshoni * Mzwandile Yalezo * Did not play: * Litha Labase * Lubabalo Elton Lento * Zuko Lerula * Lunga Innocent Nohlwati Backs *

Bangi Kobese Bangihlombe Kobese (born 19 January 1992) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the . His regular position is scrum-half. Career Youth and Varsity rugby Kobese represented his local province, Border, at various youth t ...

* Lukhanyiso Komani * Andile Makinana * Lithabile Mgwadleka * Sibabalwe Mtsulwana * Saneliso Ngoma * Lundi Ralarala * Mkhululi Sonqishe *

Garth van Rayner Garth may refer to: Places *Garth, Alberta, Canada *Garth, Bridgend, a village in south Wales :* Garth railway station (Bridgend) *Garth, Ceredigion, small village in Wales *Garth, Powys, a village in mid Wales :* Garth railway station (Powys) *Ga ...

* Oliver Zono * Did not play: * Lungelo Kepe * Curtis Kleinhans * Lwando Makhongolo * Anda Nanto * Lutho Zatu

* Did not play: * Busiwe Fani * Six Maselwa Coach * Elliot Fana Forwards * Henri Boshoff * Deon Carney * Marco Hillebrand * Michael Hutton *

Gideon Koegelenberg Gideon Koegelenberg (born 25 November 1994) is a South African rugby union player for the in United Rugby Championship. He usually plays as a lock. In the past he also played for Australian Super Rugby franchise . Rugby career Youth rugby ...

* Sizwe Kubheka *

Bart le Roux Bartholomeus Gabriel le Roux (born 28 January 1994) is a South African rugby union player, who most recently played for the in the Currie Cup. He usually plays as a tighthead prop. Rugby career Schools rugby Le Roux was born in Pretoria, bu ...

* Sanele Malwane * Dean Muir * Leon Mulder * Lwazi Ngcungama * Sabelo Tshabalala * Kabous van Schalkwyk * Johan Wagenaar * Mikyle Webster * Ado Wessels * Zwela Zondi * Did not play: * Marné Coetzee * André Greyvenstein * Matthew Mandioma * Richard Mhlongo * Siya Mhlongo * Luciando Santos Backs *

Brandon Bailing Brandon Bailing (born ) is a South African rugby union player that played for the in the Currie Cup The Currie Cup is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring (June to October), featuring team ...

* Alrich Brown * Duncan Campbell * Brendan Cope * Spa Dube * Henkie Groenewald * Rico Lategan * Nelson Makhanye * Shayne Makombe * Kurt Mavrodaris * Yandisa Mdolomba * Garath Meikle * Philip Molnar * Gavin Nyawata * Cameron Wright * Did not play: * Ncgebo Masikane * Mondli Ntshingila * Ruhan Smit * Sandile Zulu

* Did not play: * Lindo Radebe Coach * John Mitchell Forwards * Mogamat Adams * Tahriq Allan * Siphiwo Bakeni * Brandon Beukman * Samuel Borsah * Kelvin de Bruyn * Matthew Faught * Philbrey Joseph * José Julies * Timothy Louw * Darren Luiters *

Pallo Manuel Pallo may refer to: People * Alimamy Pallo Bangura, politician in Sierra Leone * Jackie Pallo (1926–2006), English professional wrestler * Jorge Pallo, American actor * Pallo Jordan (born 1942), South African politician Football clubs * Asem ...

* Sebenza Maphumulo * Heinrich Marcus * Michael Mkhize * Njabulo Ndlovu * Adeeb October *

Pat O'Brien Pat O'Brien may refer to: Politicians * Pat O'Brien (Canadian politician) (born 1948), member of the Canadian House of Commons * Pat O'Brien (Irish politician) (c. 1847–1917), Irish Nationalist MP in the United Kingdom Parliament Others * Pat O' ...

* William Scott * Did not play: * Curtis Beukes * Oswin Mentoor Backs * Dumisani Dyonase * Dean Herbert * Keanu Langeveldt * Quaid Langeveldt * Minenhle Mthethwa * Freddie Muller * Matthew Nortjé * Warrick Rhoda * Yondela Stampu * Dale van Schalkwyk *

James Verity-Amm James Nicholas Verity-Amm (born 8 June 1994) is a South African rugby union player. Currently released, he previously played for the in the United Rugby Championship and for the in the Currie Cup. He did play as a winger or full-back. Rugby c ...

* Melik Wana * Kenwinn Wiener * Rufus Witbooi * Did not play: * Charlton Afrika * Daniel Bock * Lubabalo Faleni * Justin McKay * Cleo Voster Coach *

Peter de Villiers Peter de Villiers (born 3 June 1957) is a South African professional rugby union coach and Good Party politician. He was coach of the South Africa national rugby union team from 2008 to 2011, after successes with the South African U19 and U21 ...

Honours

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2014 Varsity Shield: * Rodney Boneparte *

Ben Crouse Ben Crouse (born ) is a South African rugby union referee on the National A Panel of the South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union (SARU) is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to World Rugby. I ...

* Gerrie de Bruin * Stephan Geldenhuys * Quinton Immelman *

Cwengile Jadezweni Cwengile Dumisani Thando 'JD' Jadezweni (born 2 October 1986 in Stellenbosch, South Africa) is a rugby referee on the National A Panel of the South African Rugby Union. He also works as a rugby analyst at Sound Sure, along with fellow referee M ...

* Lusanda Jam * Jaco Kotze * Eduan Nel * Francois Pretorius * Jaco Pretorius * Oregopotse Rametsi * Archie Sehlako *

Lourens van der Merwe Lourens van der Merwe is a rugby referee on the TMO Panel of the South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union (SARU) is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to World Rugby. It was established in 19 ...

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Varsity Shield 2014

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

2014 in South African rugby union 2014 rugby union tournaments for clubs