Photo: Volksblad

The Shimlas and the Irawas, the first and second rugby teams of the University of the Free State (UFS), recently played in the final of the Bloemfontein city cup. According to Mr Dougie Heymans, Kovsie Rugby Manager and assistant couch of the Shimlas, it was a tough match and the Shimlas won 42-17. The last time that the Shimlas and Irawas played against each other was in 2004. On this day, against all expectations, the Irawas won the “Stadsbeker”.

The UFS’s U/21 team also played against the UFS third team, the Ritsims, in the final of the second league and won 22-14. It was the first time in history that the Ritsems played in the final of the Second League in the City League, and that against the UFS’s U/21 team.

All four the teams who competed in the final for the “Stadsbeker” and Second League of the “Stadsbeker”, are from the UFS’s Rugby Club.

The UFS will also for the first time since 2006 have a team in the national club championships.

The Shimlas are participating at the Universities Sport South Africa (USSA) rugby tournament that is currently being presented at the University of Johannesburg.

“We at Kovsie Rugby are proud of our teams, our couches and support staff,” said Mr Heymans.