‘We called for points deduction’
20 Mar 2012
Varsity Cup managing director Duitser Bosman says the ‘serious reprimand’ given to Shimlas and NMMU for fielding ineligible players was an independent decision.
On Wednesday, the Varsity Cup confirmed that the two parties were found guilty after the annual auditing process, which was completed on 7 March. It was during this process when the competition’s executive realised that these teams were not filling the competition’s new student quota (16 of the 23 players in the match-day squad must be full-time students). The Varsity Shield’s Wits, UWC, Fort Hare and UKZN, and Tuks and NMMU’s U20 sides in the Young Guns league (which is for students only) were also exposed. A disciplinary hearing was carried out soon afterwards, which was headed by judicial officer Jannie Lubbe.
After the different cases were presented, Lubbe decided that a ‘serious reprimand’ was a suitable punishment for all teams. Bosman said this was when the Varsity Cup’s executive made an appeal because they wanted to see the teams punished via wins or log points deduction.
‘Basically, the start of our competitions and the timing of the universities’ registrations is the major problem,’ Bosman explained to keo.co.za. ‘Players tell their coaches that they do plan to register and study full-time, so the squads are finalised accordingly at an early stage. But when registration comes, it’s realised that some of these players’ academic records are so poor, they can’t be accepted as a full-time student.
‘Because of this and the fact that the rule is new, it was decided that the reprimand was enough. But we appealed this initial decision.’
The appeal was presented to a Saru-appointed committee of advocates Rob Stelzner and André Oosthuizen, and attorney Louis Booyse. The case was carried out last Sunday (18 March) as the intention was to make a final decision before Monday’s last round of league matches. It was decided that according to the tournament’s constitution, the Varsity Cup executive did not have the right to appeal Lubbe’s suggested penalty. Therefore, the initial punishment was upheld and accepted.
‘We wanted a harsher punishment, but the committee in charge of the appeal process made their call. This was not in the Varsity Cup’s hands,’ said Bosman.
However, defending champions UCT, who have failed to qualify for the semi-finals this season, have decided to write a formal letter to the Varsity Cup, to find out why the guilty parties weren’t punished according to the tournament rules.
Line 4.10 in the list of Varsity Cup tournament rules states that ‘Where a member university transgress any of the rules laid down in points 4 or 5 (student eligibility and development), a dispute will declared against them and they stand the chance to:
4.7.1 – Lose all points gained for that match, and/or;
4.7.2 – Also give full points to the other team, and/or;
4.7.3 – Also lose 5 league points from the log as a penalty.’
When asked about UCT’s initiative, Bosman said: ‘I will react formally when I get the chance to read the letter properly.’
By Gareth Duncan
22 Comments
20 Mar 2012, 15:09 pm
4.7.3 – Also “loose” 5 league points from the log as a penalty.’
Flip. Too cool for skool?
20 Mar 2012, 16:07 pm
Who is this Duitser whatshisname, and why is he being such an arse?
I prefer the Varsity Cup to be a feeding ground for the provincial unions in the area, rather than just an excuse for a bunch of drunk students to chuck beer at each other.
So if club rugby is dying due to lack of funding, then it is a great thing if guys from Police, or Despatch, or Tygerberg or some other club are pulled into the financially loaded Varsity Cup to develop them for possible Bulls/WP/Lions call up.
Why limit it just to students?
20 Mar 2012, 16:23 pm
uct got moered now they want in tl tl tl through the back door.
20 Mar 2012, 16:28 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-3:
thems the rules.
if you don’t like the punishment don’t break them.
20 Mar 2012, 16:33 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-4: as jannie “KY” ubbe said, the “serious reprimand” is good enough…
now UCT shutthefcukup!
20 Mar 2012, 16:34 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-5:
then why bother having any rules at all.
it’s meaningless.
cheat away!
20 Mar 2012, 16:36 pm
The ideal would be if the Varsity Cup teams are essentially the next level down from Currie Cup for the Big Unions.
Then the unions could save money by not having to contract such large Vodacom Cup squads.
Sorry for those unions that don’t have decent Varsities in their area though.
Has someone been able to figure out what exactly is KZN’s problem? Why doesn’t UKZN feature in anything?
20 Mar 2012, 16:39 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-7:
they have westville durban and maritzburg.
not hotbeds of rugby talent.
heaven’s game even manged to get on the squad as a waterboy.
20 Mar 2012, 16:50 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-7: the Varsity college affiliated with the Sharks academy is not classified as a university and with the UKZN Impis based on Maritxburg the Sharks have no influence on them.
20 Mar 2012, 16:57 pm
there used to be a Club Championship which would include the clubs that are not Universities.
Most of the time the Varsities, usually Maties ended up winning it regardless, but other players did get the chance to play.
20 Mar 2012, 17:01 pm
No one in Natal grows up playing rugby. I think I know the only two Afrikaans guys in Durban. It’s far easier and cheaper to buy a team of fully developed players at Currie Cup level.
20 Mar 2012, 17:03 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-2: Sounds like you’re talking more about the vodacom cup mate…
This is the VARSITY cup. Emphasis on Varsity players. Bunch of drunk students chucking beer at each other? To paraphrase the great Hank Moody, that’s a nice ivory tower you’re sitting on. Pity about the pile of bullsh*t it’s built on.
20 Mar 2012, 17:03 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-7:
Not enough Afrikaans boys in the kzn varsities.
Dis maar die feite daai
20 Mar 2012, 17:12 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-10: it is still there, i remember hearing that Gcobani Bobo was turning out for Rovers in Durbs.
20 Mar 2012, 18:07 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-2:
Why have the Varsity Cup? Instant supporter base for the coats to earn some Rands.
Was at a couple of these and 90% of the crowd has a) no clue of rugby and b) are there for a party not rugby.
However, they fill a stadium and that means ratings.
Imo Varsity Cup can stay, it’s good for the universities, but I would even be more strict and only allow varsity students not this 16/23 split.
Then get rid of the Vodacom Cup, give our national club champs those funds and include only open clubs (not Varsities).
Each province still plays their normal leagues, but you have 2 breeding grounds for unions – Varsity Cup and National Club Champs.
20 Mar 2012, 18:08 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-7:
Trans basically covered it – uni’s there does not have a strong rugby culture, and those learning institutions that do, cannot enter in the VC.
20 Mar 2012, 18:11 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-14: I thought he was overseas for some reason.
20 Mar 2012, 18:22 pm
Bobes is on supersport.
20 Mar 2012, 18:35 pm
yeah Bobes does commentary for supersport…mostly as an expert for varsity cupg ames…
20 Mar 2012, 18:59 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-18: @Transformation(Transformation)-19: Well there you go.
But then they all sound the same to me.
Commentators that is.
Except for Joel.
20 Mar 2012, 19:17 pm
Bobes seems to be on the same diet as Owen and Darren.
20 Mar 2012, 19:41 pm
gym is done, now let me go join this lady for drinks…
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