Words: Dummett & Co
Cape Town, 16 April 2015 – Varsity Sports on Wednesday launched this year’s Beach Volleyball and Rugby 7s tournaments. The two sporting codes return to the Varsity Sports fold after taking a break for the 2014 season.
While they have been played alongside each other in the past, this year things will be done slightly differently. The two codes will be played at two different venues in quick succession in late April with Beach Volleyball kicking things off on 22-23 April at the University of the Western Cape, followed by Rugby 7s at Villager F.C. in Claremont on 25-27 April and both will be broadcast live on SuperSport 210.
With both sporting codes being played at the Rio Olympics in 2016 these short but sweet tournaments will offer a chance for some of South Africa’s young talent to stake a claim and show off their skills, whilst entertaining the crowds.
“With Varsity Cup now over, these two codes epitomise the sportainment side of Varsity Sports. The y are both fun and intensely competitive and we are confident that the players will put on a great show,” commented Duitser Bosman, CEO of Varsity Sports.
Six universities will participate in the Beach Volleyball tournament: Kovsies, Tuks, UCT, University of Limpopo, UWC and the Vaal University of Technology. Kovsies are the newcomers and say they will be going to the tournament with an open mind and to have fun.
“We are all really looking forward to the Varsity Beach Volleyball tournament even though we have no idea what to expect. Seeing as though we have not played in this event, the experience of playing in the tournament will do us the world of good and we are looking forward to it. We are yet to set ourselves objectives, but the one thing we will do is enjoy every moment and have fun while doing it,” Kovsies player Imke Stehn said.
The University of the Western Cape have been a formidable force in the Beach Volleyball tournament, having won the tournament twice. This year they have the added advantage of playing the tournament on their home turf and Bejancke Della, one of South Africa's top ranked players and a UWC stalwart, says the university will be out to defend their title.
“I am looking forward to playing in another Varsity Beach Volleyball competition and it is exciting to know that we [UWC] will be hosting the event. We obviously want to retain our title, that is non-negotiable, but we know it is going to be tough because the other universities will be stepping up their game,” Della said.
In the Rugby 7s tournament, ten universities from across the country will compete at this year's tournament. They are: University of the Free State (Kovsies), University of Stellenbosch (Maties), NMMU, Pukke, Tuks, UCT, University of Fort Hare, University of Johannesburg, University of the Western Cape and Walter Sisulu University.
Maties have won the tournament twice and while their main aim is to defend their title, they also want to entertain spectators.
“We want to play a brand of Sevens that people will enjoy both on and off the field. That will be our main goal and hopefully the results will go in our favour. It is not the end of the world for us if we lose because our goal is to have fun and play some quality Sevens," said head coach, Ian Campbell-McGeachy,
About Varsity Beach Volleyball
Varsity Beach Volleyball is now in its third season and returns after taking a break during the 2014 season. Volleyball is one of the fastest growing sports in South Africa and will feature at the 2016 Rio Olympics. University of the Western Cape are two-time champions of the tournament and in 2015 will have the opportunity to defend their title on home turf when it is hosted at the university grounds. Just six universities will participate and they are: Kovsies, Tuks, UCT, University of Limpopo, UWC and the Vaal University of Technology. The tournament will take place on 22-23 April and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
About Varsity 7s Rugby
Varsity 7s Rugby is now in its third season. The inaugural tournament in 2012, which stretched over two legs, was held in Plettenberg Bay and Margate with the University of Stellenbosch (Maties) reigning supreme in Plett and finishing as runners-up in Margate. The tournament then moved to Camps Bay in 2013 where Maties, came out top. After taking a break in 2013, the 7s tournament returns and this year holds extra incentive for the players as 7s Rugby is due to debut at the Rio Olympics in 2016. The tournament, which will run from April 25-27, will be hosted at Villager F.C. in Claremont, Cape Town with matches being broadcast live on SuperSport. Ten universities from across the country will compete at this year's tournament. They are: University of the Free State (Kovsies), University of Stellenbosch (Maties), NMMU, Pukke, Tuks, UCT, University of Fort Hare, University of Johannesburg, University of the Western Cape and Walter Sisulu University.
