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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

Racial integration at student residences at the UFS

2007-07-25

The University of the Free State (UFS) takes note of the memorandum handed to the management by representatives of the Freedom Front Plus this morning (25 July 2007) on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

According to the Vice-Rector: Student Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Moraka, the UFS management will thoroughly discuss the memorandum at their next meeting.

Dr Moraka said the point of departure of the new guidelines is for students to learn to embrace diversity and to develop an appreciation for the humanity of their fellow students.

As far as consultation is concerned, Dr Moraka said that the affected students and student leaders were consulted. This includes groups such as the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the Main Campus, residence primes, residence heads and student organisations such as the Freedom Front Plus Kovsies and Sasco.

It nevertheless seems that there is still no agreement on this matter and the UFS management will give attention to this.

About the integration of residences Dr Moraka said the UFS management is convinced that this decision is in the educational and career interest of students.

The management would not like to exclude interest groups. Therefore students, alumni and other interest groups can still make an input to make a success of the implementation of the guidelines.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs..ac.za
25 July 2007

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