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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

Temporary closure of Qwaqwa campus

2007-03-01

Issued by: Dr Ezekiël Moraka, Vice-Rector: Student Affairs

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has decided to temporarily close its Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State out of concern for the safety of staff and students.

The Qwaqwa Campus will close today, 1 March 2007, until Monday 12 March 2007. Students who live in residences on the campus will be allowed to return on Sunday 11 March 2007. Only registered students will be allowed back.

This decision has been taken in the light of the damage to university property (including the dining hall and kitchens) on Tuesday 27 February 2007 by a small group of students and the continuing risk of further damage to property or injury to persons.

A small group of students were protesting against the appointment of a catering company to provide meals to students. However, the management wishes to state that the appointment of the company took place by means of an open and inclusive tendering process which also involved the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the campus.

The UFS remains committed to the use of existing channels of communication with students in order to resolve any problems that may occur, but will not accept violence as a means of finding solutions.

Media release
Issued by: Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Cell: 072 207 8334
1 March 2007

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