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Varsity Cup kicks off: UFS ready to shine

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

Kovsies beat Maties

2011-02-01

Captain Willie Britz in action duringthe Shimlas’s battle against the Maties
- Photo: Van Zyl Naudè

The second game in the FNB Varsity Cup season ended on a high note for Kovsies’ Shimlas when the try of no. 14, Jamba Ulengo, brought the score against Maties to 21-15. With this game, expected to be the toughest in the season, Shimlas exceeded many expectations.

Dougie Heymans, Team manager for the Shimlas was very excited about the team’s achievements against the Maties. “Everybody knew the guys can play; last week they put unnecessary pressure on themselves.” The team’s excellent defence against the Maties – who is known for their great forward’s game – was the deciding factor in this second game of the season.

Jaco Colyn, who played flyhalf, was announced as man of the match.

Not only did the players play better than last Monday; more enthusiastic students and other supporters from the university community also came to support the Shimlas. With this Madelief was announced as the residence that revealed the best Kovsie spirit, winning themselves a flatscreen television set to the value of R5 000.

Next Monday Shimlas will play against the team of the University of Johannesburg at the UJ Stadium.

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