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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

Record amount of degrees and diplomas awarded during Spring graduation ceremony
2005-09-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) will award a record amount of 885 degrees and diplomas on Thursday 15 September 2005 to students from the Vista and Main campuses during this year’s spring graduation ceremony. 

Altogether 572 degrees and 313 diplomas will be awarded.  This is the most degrees and diplomas that have been awarded during the spring graduation ceremony. 

One honorary doctorate and 30 doctorates will also be awarded.  The honorary doctorate Doctor Theologiae (honoris causa) will be awarded to Prof Wilhelm Neuser for his contribution to the promotion of international Calvin research and for his insight and personal dedication to involving South Africans in it.

In the Faculty of Health Sciences 74 degrees, 26 diplomas and 2 doctorates will be awarded, in the Faculty of Humanities (excluding the School of Education) 90 degrees, 9 diplomas en 6 doctorates will be awarded.  In the Faculty of Law 31 degrees will be awarded, in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences 127 degrees, 2 diplomas and 15 doctorates will be awarded, in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences 173 degrees, 2 diplomas and 2 doctorates will be awarded and in the Faculty of Theology 13 degrees, 4 diplomas and 1 doctorate will be awarded. 

In the School of Education 64 degrees, 273 diplomas and 1 doctorate will be awarded.

The diploma ceremony will start at 08:30 and the graduation ceremony will start at 14:30.  Both ceremonies will take place in the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus.


Media release
Issued by:  Lacea Loader
   Media Representative
   Tel:  (051) 401-2584
   Cell:  083 645 2454
   E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
9 September 2005
 

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