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13 February 2025 | Story Onthatile Tikoe | Photo Supplied
Shimlas 2024
The UFS Shimlas lifting the Varsity Cup on their home ground in Bloemfontein after their 2024 victory.

The highly anticipated Varsity Cup is finally here, and the University of the Free State (UFS) is buzzing with excitement! The tournament, which features the top university rugby teams in South Africa, promises to deliver thrilling matches and intense rivalries throughout the rugby season.

After an exhilarating 2024 season, the UFS Shimlas made history by lifting the Varsity Cup trophy on their home ground in Bloemfontein. The team’s impressive performance and dedication earned them a spot in the record books, and they are eager to repeat their success in 2025.

This year’s competition is scheduled to kick off on 17 February 2025 and will run for 7 weeks, with the UFS final game on 31 March 2025. The UFS Shimlas will be looking to defend their title and bring home the coveted trophy once again.

Previous winners

The Varsity Cup has a rich history, with previous winners including:

UFS Shimlas (2015, 2024)
Maties (Stellenbosch University, 2008-2010, 2019)
Tuks (University of Pretoria, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2022)
UCT Ikey Tigers (2011, 2014)

FNB NWU (2016, 2023)

UFS ready to take on the best

The UFS Shimlas have been preparing tirelessly for the tournament, with a strong focus on teamwork, discipline, and strategy. Head Coach André Tredoux expressed his excitement about the team’s prospects: “Being the defending champions comes with a bit of pressure, but we don’t see it that way. Our motto is that we want to attack the Varsity Cup, hence the best form of defence is to attack. The boys are really excited. They played well against UJ and scored lots of tries, hence our mindset is to attack everything we put our minds to.”

UFS Shimlas Team Captain Nkoka Ngobe echoed his coach’s sentiments, reinforcing his dedication to leading the team to victory. “As the team captain, I have to lead by example and bring the culture of excellence. I will never ask my teammates to do something that I cannot do, so the important thing for me is doing what it takes so that the boys can do the same.”

Get ready for the action

The Varsity Cup promises to deliver seven weeks of non-stop rugby action, with the UFS Shimlas ready to take on the best university teams in the country. Don’t miss out on the excitement – follow the UFS Shimlas on social media to stay up to date and get ready to cheer them on to victory!

Let’s go, Shimlas!

News Archive

All you need to know about UFS December graduations
2017-11-14

 Description: 2017 Graduation information 2 Tags: 2017 Graduation information 2

Qualifications up to honours degrees in all faculties, as well as the Business School,
Educational qualifications in Open Distance Learning, and master’s and doctoral
degrees will be conferred during the End-of-year Graduation Ceremonies of the
University of the Free State.
Photo: Johan Roux


The End-of-year Graduation Ceremonies at the University of the Free State (UFS) are taking place in December, and the Kovsie community is looking forward to the annual celebrations. To access information about it, visit the dedicated graduation home page.

The Bloemfontein Campus will welcome graduates, their parents, friends, and relatives for the festivities, which promises to be yet another prestigious occasion. The ceremonies are taking place on 6 and 7 December 2017 in the Callie Human Centre. 

The degrees to be conferred include all qualifications up to honours degrees in the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences (including the Business School), Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Education, Law, the Humanities, Theology and Religion, Health Sciences, and Educational qualifications in Open Distance Learning (South Campus). Master’s and doctoral degrees in all faculties will also be conferred.

For information about the ceremonies, visit the graduation home page.

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