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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 get a free pass

2014-06-23

As from this year, a fee of R20 is charged to park on the Bloemfontein Campus during the Vryfees arts festival. All staff and students of the UFS with valid cards will be able to park for free, though.

The cost of a ticket is R20 per day or R60 for the entire week (Tuesday 15 July to Saturday 19 July 2014). The parking ticket is issued per car and is valid for the entire day. You can therefore enter and leave the campus as many times as you like for that particular day. Parking will be free on Sunday 20 July 2014.

You can buy your parking tickets in advance from Computicket. Tickets will also be available at the gates. Two Computicket representatives will be present at each gate to sell tickets and collect ticket stubs.

These fees are only applicable to visitors of the Vryfees festival – not to university staff, -students or campus guests.

Kovsies who present their valid staff or student cards will have free access to the campus. All service providers, shop owners, conference attendants and other guests of the university will be provided with complimentary tickets for the duration of the Vryfees.

The university – as partner of the festival – will channel the funds from these tickets towards financing art projects in collaboration with the Vryfees.

All five gates of the university will be in use during the festival:
• Main gate (Nelson Mandela Drive),
• Roosmaryn (Badenhorst Street),
• Medical Faculty (corner of DF Malherbe and Wynand Mouton Drives),
• Agriculture (DF Malherbe Drive) and
• the top gate close to Tempe (Fürstenburg Street).

Golf carts will ensure convenient transport to festival-goers between venues and parking areas.

For any further information, phone Maritsa Barlow on +27(0)51 404 7947 or +27(0)76 285 8387.

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