The time is fast approaching, but exactly which university will take home this year’s final and be crowned overall champion in the 2014 Varsity Athletics Programme this Monday evening.
There’s no denying that the University of Pretoria, UP-Tuks, is the firm favourite. Having won not only all three of this year’s events, UP-Tuks have also placed first in all six consecutive years throughout the history of Varsity Athletics.
However, the big question on everyone’s lips is can they secure a home victory this Monday night to make it seven? NWU-Pukke loom close behind in second place. Can they come from behind to clinch victory from the jaws of UP-Tuks?
At some point at last week’s meet in Stellenbosch, Pukke were leading the event, could they do it again? Is it even possible? Or will it be UJ or UFS-Kovsies who sneak up and overtake Pukke whilst they aren’t looking? Or will UP-Tuks continue to outperform most of their competitors?
Last week’s action saw them standing on the podium for every event, except two. Will Monday see them achieve a full house in front of a cheering home side? With the current points standing it appears UP-Tuks might very well be victorius this Monday night.
Nonetheless, it has been a season not only of great achievements, but upsets and disappointments too. Should UP-Tuks not perform to their usual standard, the largest upset of the season by far might just be possible.
Only time will tell, but what is known and guaranteed is that the heart stopping action and nail-biting tension synonymous with Varsity Athletics is sure to continue throughout every single second of Monday’s final.
And in an evening filled with exhilarating performances, which are the ones to note and watch out for?
• Akani Simbine, UP-Tuks; Varsity Athletics record holder for the 200m with a time of 20.66, running on his home track and familiar turf. Can he beat his own time?
• UP-Tuks’ Medley Relay Team; Varsity Athletics record holder with a time of 3:39.32, determined to excite the crowd into an uncontainable frenzy.
They also set the fastest time ever by a non-national team in South Africa
• UP-Tuks’ Sonia Smuts and Pukke’s Geraldine Duvenhage as they battle it out for first place in the ladies Shot Put.
With Duvenhage having stolen the Varsity Athletics record from Smuts, it’s guaranteed to be a tense final as Smuts gives it her all to impress on home ground.
• Nabeela Parker, Maties; Currently the SA Senior Champion in the 100m, Parker will be going all out to hold her own and prove herself worthy of her title.
Other participants to keep a close eye on include:
• Anneri Ebersohn, UP-Tuks; Varsity Athletics record holder, 400m hurdles, 54.10
• JVA Steytler, UFS-Kovsies; Varsity Athletics record holder, high jump, 2.11m
• Wayde van Niekerk, UFS-Kovsies; Varsity Athletics record holder, 400m, 45.42
• Gideon Trotter, UFS-Kovsies; Varsity Athletics record holder, 200m, 20.83
• Melissa Hewitt, NWU-Pukke; Varsity Athletics record holder, 100m, 11.92
But whatever the final results, Monday night is sure to be a fitting end to what has been a climatic and memorable season filled with all the usual drama and action synonymous with Varsity Athletics events.
Irrespective of whether the final outcome is predictable or unexpected, what is clear is that this year’s Varsity Athletics Programme is without a doubt one for the record books.
Varsity Sport
