The second spherical of Varsity Cup fixtures for the 2025 season will happen on Monday, 24 February.
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The season acquired off to the worst attainable begin when the match between UCT Ikeys and NWU was referred to as off forward of kick-off as a result of pupil protest motion final Monday.
The match was finally performed a day later at an undisclosed venue and closed to the general public.
The UCT Ikeys will probably be on the highway in Week 2 so hopefully there will probably be no repeat strike motion.
VARSITY CUP: WEEK 2 FIXTURES
Monday, 24 February
UP-Tuks vs UJ – 16:45 (LIVE on SuperSport)
Shimlas vs Wits – 19:00
CUT vs UCT Ikeys – 19:00
NWU vs Maties – 19:00 (LIVE on SuperSport)
VARSITY CUP: WEEK 1 RESULTS
Maties 41-37 UFS Shimlas
Wits 8-35 UP-Tuks
UJ 13-29 CUT
UCT Ikeys 32-23 NWU Eagles
VARSITY CUP STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 1
In the meantime, this yr’s Varsity Defend can also be in full-swing with two rounds of matches having been accomplished.
Varsity Defend outcomes
Spherical 1
Varsity Faculty 40-14 Madibaz
UWC 50-33 WSU
CPUT 41-10 UFH
SPU 41-37 UKZN
Spherical 2
UKZN 33-12 WSU
Madibaz 32-16 UFH
Varsity Faculty 36-40 UWC
SPU 20-22 CPUT
Subsequent era
With the Springboks’ back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs nonetheless recent in our minds, the highlight now shifts to the following era of potential stars.
Greater than 50 Varsity Cup and Defend gamers have gone on to put on the inexperienced and gold, proving this platform is a vital stepping stone in South African rugby.
Varsity Cup founder and CEO, Francois Pienaar, stays as enthusiastic as ever in regards to the event’s impression.
“2025 Varsity Cup goes to the Subsequent Degree. We’re stepping up on all fronts, creating nice moments and galvanizing the long run stars of South African rugby. This yr, we have a good time the Varsity Cup and Defend as the right springboard for expertise, bridging college {and professional} rugby, whereas shining a brighter highlight on the speedy progress of girls’s rugby.
“The tournaments have turn out to be synonymous with producing world-class expertise, however it’s greater than a rugby competitors; it’s the place pupil athletes develop, thrive, and dream large. I can’t wait to see what this season has in retailer!”
“Prepare for next-level rugby, next-level expertise, and next-level sportainment the place champions are made, and the way forward for South African rugby is solid!”
This yr brings some thrilling updates:
- Friday Night time Lights: Most Varsity Defend matches will now happen on Fridays, making a weekend buzz that followers can sit up for.
- Mascot Mania: Workforce mascots are again, bringing vibrant vitality to each recreation. Count on dance-offs, crowd interactions, and loads of workforce spirit!
- Girls’s Rugby Development: Following the success of final yr’s Varsity Cup Girls’s competitors, 2025 will see the highest 6 girls’s groups compete for glory with a number of matches being broadcast for the primary time ever.
For the defending Varsity Cup champions, the UFS Shimlas, the season begins with excessive expectations after their dramatic 2024 last win over the UCT Ikeys.
Shimlas head coach Andre Tredoux is protecting the workforce centered.
“Successful the trophy in 2024 was very rewarding for the onerous work and energy the workforce put into the marketing campaign. The scholars celebrated properly, with a profitable workforce many gamers acquired alternatives to play skilled rugby, we additionally had a excessive variety of graduates.
2025 is a brand new problem and we are going to keep true to our model to play enticing operating rugby. The workforce has been getting ready properly and are excited to provide every thing within the upcoming marketing campaign, we are going to play with out concern and embrace the problem.”
In the meantime, UP-Tuks, who dominated the Varsity Defend competitors, are able to return and make their mark as soon as extra within the premiere competitors after successful back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022.
When requested in regards to the Stripe Technology’s strategy to being promoted, head coach Dewey Swartbooi acquired straight to the purpose, making it clear that his workforce is able to step up and compete with one of the best, centered on delivering a efficiency that speaks for itself.
“We’re completely satisfied to be again within the Varsity Cup competitors and rolling with the large boys, we simply wish to give a great account of ourselves.“
The Defend competitors may also see the addition of Sol Plaatjes who substitute TUT after successful the promotion relegation playoff.
The Kimberley-based unit is chomping on the bit to indicate why they need to be taken severely as a possible title contender and on the helm will probably be head coach Johnathan Francke who brings a wealth of expertise to the desk.
“To be a part of the Varsity Defend is a good achievement for us, however extra so an enormous honor to place Kimberley on the map. We’ve seen what it means for the city when the Griquas carry out, and we draw vitality from the workforce to carry out as properly. The workforce is properly ready for the season, and we’re very a lot trying ahead to the beginning of the event,” says Francke.
With one of the best younger expertise on show, thrilling matches, and an electrical environment that solely Varsity Rugby can supply, 2025 guarantees to be one other unforgettable season of subsequent degree motion.
Which workforce do YOU assist within the Varsity Cup?
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