2018 ‘power-play’ law change could see a new attacking philosophy in Varsity Rugby

THE next edition of the Varsity Cup will feature a power-play for the first time.

The competition’s latest innovation in its 11th year will see the coaches of the nine participating teams having to think out of the box when executing the advantage, and the players in turn making it count in the form of a try or two.

The new rule can only come into play once, and the team calling it must do so from a set-piece inside their own half.

It would see a situation where the opposing side will lose two designated backline players for a period of three minutes, but at the same time bag seven points for scoring a try, versus the usual five should the other side dot down.

Three-time champions Maties of Stellenbosch University and two-time winners UCT will again carry the hopes of the Mother City.

Tuks – the University of Pretoria – are the defending champions and join Maties as the most prolific winners of the annual inter-university tournament played on Monday nights.

The competition has produced 25 Springboks, the latest to wear the green gold being Uzair Cassiem

who played for UWC in the 2012 Varsity Shield.

Maties coach Hawies Fourie feels the new rule has challenges to overcome.

“When to use it is a conundrum I’m trying to work out with my two assistants… and the players have been practicing on how to defend two backs down… with much talk on the subject doing the rounds,” he said.

“Do we opt for the power play when up on the scoreboard or later-on in the game is an on-going matter, but for me its best called from a scrum, while defending it, say from a maul, will be a lot more do-able as you can get players behind it and the quicker they get on their feet from a breakdown would help the cause.

“I’m sure my counterparts, like me, have studied the opposition to do with which backline players to target… so let’s now wait for the tournament to begin and see who does what.

“As for our chances, we’ve got a strong squad, just a pity some of the players we wanted didn’t do well in their exams, but we’ve got cover in most positions, leaving me feeling bullish about our chances of challenging again for the silverware we last won in 2010,” added Fourie, who has contested back-to-back finals since taking up the position.

Maties open their campaign away to the University of Johannesburg.

“They’re a much better-looking side and we’ll have to be on guard from the get-go to beat them,” said Fourie