Cape Town - In an attempt to save this year’s Varsity Cup, Maties coach Hawies Fourie has called for the matches to be played as curtain-raisers for Super Rugby games.
This comes after Varsity Cup organisers on Tuesday extended the postponement of all fixtures to allow universities across the country the opportunity to address various challenges faced at their respective campuses.
It follows several violent student protests across the country.
“I can’t think that it can be that hard to solve the problem. Matches could be played at Newlands or elsewhere as curtain-raisers in Super Rugby. Pro-active action must be taken,” Fourie told Netwerk24.
“It is very frustrating because we don’t know what’s going to happen next. It doesn’t seem like there is a plan of action. There is no clear message about what is being done to solve the problem. The communication is done in two paragraphs.”
Fourie is also worried about the implications it could have on the competition’s sponsors, who are not getting worthy exposure, while he is also worried about the 5 000 fans who bought seasons tickets at Coetzenberg (Maties' home ground) this year.
Fourie’s Maties are currently unbeaten after three rounds of action and sit atop of the eight-team Varsity Cup standings.