FNB Varsity Cup/Shield 19/02/2024 - FNB Varsity Cup - FNB Wits Bully FNB UWC - It was a near-perfect start for FNB Wits when they outsmarted newcomers FNB UWC 66-10 in Bellville at the UWC Sport Stadium. A healthy 31-10 halftime lead meant the visitors had secured the bonus point when the siren sounded. Nine tries to a 19/02/2024 - FNB Varsity Cup - Poor Discipline Cost FNB UJ Against FNB CUT - Dogged defending from FNB CUT as well as poor discipline from FNB UJ handed the former a handy 23-19 victory at home in Bloemfontein. Early penalties by Juan Arnold Smith gave the Ixias breathing room with the Orange Army 19/02/2024 - FNB Varsity Cup - NWU FNB Eagles Got Defence Of Title Off To Perfect Start Against FNB Maties - FNB Varsity Cup Champions NWU FNB Eagles got the defence of their title off to an almost perfect start after beating FNB Maties 20-12 in front of a packed Danie Craven Stadium in 19/02/2024 - FNB Varsity Cup - FNB UCT Ikeys Beat UFS Shimlas In A Hard-fought Battle - FNB UCT Ikeys drew first blood in the 2024 Varsity Cup by beating FNB UFS Shimlas 38-32 in a hard-fought contest in Bloemfontein. The Shimlas outscored the visitors in the tries department, but it was ultimately 19/02/2024 - Varsity Cup - FNB Varsity Cup Expected To Kick Off With A Bang - The 2024 FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield competitions are ready to once again showcase the best of student rugby the country has to offer. When it comes to being eager and rearing to go, FNB NWU Eagles cannot wait to defend their Varsity Cup title after they narrowly beat FNB UCT Ikeys (27-25) in last 15/02/2024 - FNB UKZN Looking To Bounce Back In 2024 FNB Varsity Shield - Following a difficult campaign last year, FNB UKZN is looking to bounce back in the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield competition. The men from KwaZulu-Natal could only muster a single victory from their seven matches, leaving them second from the bottom on the log and just above the now-relegated FNB Rhodes. 13/02/2024 - FNB Varsity Cup/Shield - The Countdown Has Started - After back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles last year by the Springboks in France, all eyes will be on the future stars of South African rugby for the next two months. And with more than 50 players having made the giant leap from Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield to the Springboks, including multiple World Cup winners, it is no 12/02/2024 - Varsity Cup - FNB Wits Looking To Push It To The Top - They get their campaign underway on Monday 19 February with an away game against FNB UWC in Cape Town. “Pre-season has been going great, obviously the month of November was challenging with exams but we can’t complain, the team’s attitude to learn and to work hard has been fantastic,” says Van As. He adds Wits 11/02/2024 - Varsity Shield - Tshwane University Of Technology (FNB TUT) Have A Balanced Squad Of New And Experienced Players - FNB TUT are excited about the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield season with a new head coach and a group of hungry lads. According to head coach Flash Malinga, the Pretoria West side is ready to compete for the title this year. “It was impressive to watch the boys 10/02/2024 - Cape Peninsula University of Technology (FNB CPUT) Embracing Challenge Ahead - FNB CPUT head coach Alastair Theys says they welcome change and are embracing the new cycle of the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield competition. “When I took the job a few seasons ago, we had two boxes that we wanted to tick. The first one was to gain promotion and subsequently compete in the 08/02/2024 - FNB UP-Tuks Determined To Return To The Elite Varsity Cup In 2025 - The Stripe Generation are now looking to redeem themselves and head coach Deway Swartbooi believes the Pretoria outfit is up for the challenge in their quest to return to the elite Varsity Cup. “It’s been a real challenge, we lost some experienced players so we will miss that but in the same breath, it is also a 07/02/2024 - FNB NWU Eagles - Brand New Team, Brand New Philosophy And Brand New Culture - "If you had a successful campaign, you want to continue using the same approach and keep using the same things that worked for you.” Despite the departure of several experienced players, he however has confidence in the newbies. “We had about 33 players and lost 21. Luckily for us, there 07/02/2024 - FNB CUT Storm Into 2024 FNB Varsity Cup With Settled Squad And New Coach - The Ixias have managed to retain the bulk of their players from their previous campaign and Modiba feels that his squad is a lot more mature this season and they will take the lessons from the past. “Last year is history but I think that the players are much more mature and they learnt a lot of good lessons 06/02/2024 - "It Remains A Challenge To Get FNB Maties Back To The Top" - Kabamba Floors - Although he is looking forward to this year’s FNB Varsity Cup, FNB Maties coach Kabamba Floors says it remains a challenge to try and get the team back to the top as champions. They last won the title in 2019. “In terms of university sports, it is the biggest competition out there. As a coach, your 06/02/2024 - FNB UWC Ready For Triumphant Return To 2024 FNB Varsity Cup - Assistant coach Lionel Langenhoven gives some insight into the team's preparations and aspirations. "Returning to the Varsity Cup competition was in itself a big achievement for us all. We know that it is a different ball game and that our approach on and off the field needs to improve. The way we are going to play will 04/02/2024 - Varsity Cup - Shimlas Banking On Experience - Shimlas will be hoping for a case of third-time lucky under the guidance of coach André Tredoux. This after back-to-back defeats (2022, 2023) at home in the semi-finals. According to Tredoux, there is an upbeat mood in the camp and they have a settled squad. “We've been honoured to have quite a few of the boys receiving professional 01/02/2024 - "FNB UCT Is Power-hungry This Year" - Tom Dawson-Squibb - “So far preparations have been going pretty well. Obviously, you lose a couple of guys, but we've still got a really nice core of our squad from last year and you can see the guys are looking cohesive and connected. There is still work to be done, but I would say we're looking pretty good at the moment." 21/01/2024 - Varsity Cup Is Ready For Another Action-Packed Season - The Varsity Cup competition kicks off on Monday 19 February when FNB UFS Shimlas and FNB UCT Ikeys take to the field in Cape Town (16:45). The clash between FNB WSU and FNB UKZN in Mdantsane at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium (19:00) on Thursday 22 February sees the start of the Varsity Shield 24/11/2023 - 2024 Varsity Shield Fixtures Known 22/11/2023 - 2024 Varsity Cup Fixtures Known - The Varsity Cup fixtures were finalised with UWC (University Western Cape) promoted to the Varsity Cup while TUKS was demoted to the Varsity Shield for 2024. 06/11/2023 - Dewy Swartbooi Appointed As New Head Coach Of Tuks Rugby - TuksSport on Friday eventually rubberstamped the open secret that Dewey Swartbooi has been appointed as the new head coach of TuksRugby. Swartbooi said: “The appointment is a massive honour and privilege, and with it comes great responsibility because UP has a rich 18/04/2023 - FNB NWU Eagles Battle Until Final Minutes To Be Crowned 2023 Varsity Cup Champions - First-half tries from Vernon Paulo (2) and Tino Swanepoel, converted by Zinedine Robinson gave the Eagles the edge heading into halftime. Robinson also landed a penalty. Ntokozo Makhaza was successful with three penalties but it wasn’t enough as the home team went to the break with 10/04/2023 - FNB UCT Ikeys Cruise Into FNB Varsity Cup Final - FNB UCT Ikeys stormed into the FNB Varsity Cup final with a convincing 65-30 victory over FNB UFS Shimlas in the first semi-final in Bloemfontein. The half-time score was 37-7. This is the second time in three years the Ikeys achieved this feat. For UFS, it was the second year running they were halted 10/04/2023 - FNB NWU Eagles Marched Into 2023 FNB Varsity Cup Final - The Eagles were the first to score in the 9th minute when Tino Swanepoel received a good pass from Sylvester Hassien following a brilliant piece of play. Zinedine Robinson landed the conversion. It was a tight, physical game between the two former champions at the Fanie du Toit Sports 03/04/2023 - FNB NWU Eagles Deny FNB Wits Place In Semi-Final - Log leaders FNB NWU Eagles snuffed any hopes FNB Wits had of qualifying for the semi-finals with a 36-3 victory in Johannesburg. The half-time score was 17-3. Kick-off for the match was at 19:00 but the final whistle only blew at 23:15 as the players were forced from the field due to bad weather and heavy lightning strikes. 03/04/2023 - FNB UJ Escaped Promotion-relegation With Win Over FNB UP-Tuks - FNB UJ escaped the dreaded promotion-relegation zone with a 38-31 victory over FNB UP-Tuks in Pretoria. For the defending champions, it was a disappointing end to a dreadful season, finishing bottom of the log with no victories. The home side got off to a blazing start when Andre Van der Merwe 03/04/2023 - FNB UCT Ikeys Secure Place In Semi-final After Crushing FNB CUT Ixias - The Ikeys opened the scoring with scrumhalf Asad Moos darting over for an unconverted try in the 11th minute. Some ten minutes later the Ixias finally got on the board with winger Adielson Gouveia going over in the corner for a try that was also unconverted. 03/04/2023 - FNB Shimlas Book Home Semi-Final With Win Over FNB Maties - The men from Bloemfontein became the first Shimlas side to beat the Maroon Machine in Stellenbosch, the previous best being a 13-13 drawback in 2014. They joined the list of six teams who have managed to record a win in Matieland, something that has only happened eight times since 2008. 31/03/2023 - FNB UWC Secured Promotion To Varsity Cup Competition - FNB UWC have been the team to beat all season in the FNB Varsity Shield, and they proved exactly why when the log leaders ran out 45-31 victors over FNB Madibaz in Gqeberha. The halftime score was 26-7. Both teams will host the semi-finals next week. 28/03/2023 - From TUKS To "Niks" In Six Matches - FNB Wits did the unthinkable and relegated FNB UP-Tuks on Monday evening to the FNB Varsity Shield for the first time in the history of the competition when they beat the defending champions 33-21 in Johannesburg. At the end of the 2023 season, the team ending bottom of the Varsity Cup log will automatically be relegated to the 20/03/2023 - FNB UFS Shimlas Fought To The Bitter End To Edge FNB UJ - FNB UFS Shimlas fought to the bitter end to edge out FNB UJ 31-30 in a humdinger in Bloemfontein. The match at Shimla Park had a lot of drama, including lights going out due to a total blackout in the City of Roses some 19 minutes into the game. UJ opened the scoring with flanker Christiaan Pretorius going over for 20/03/2023 - FNB UCT Ikeys Demolished FNB Wits In Cape Town - The Tigers laid the ground rules early on by showing positive intent with the ball in hand. Centre Tom Nell scored from a turnover with Ntokozo Makhaza successfully converting. It didn't take long before Wits responded with a seven-pointer try courtesy of full-back Setshaba Mokoena. However, tries by Sipho Dyonase, Makhaza 20/03/2023 - FNB NWU Eagles Consolidated Top Spot Against FNB CUT - The Eagles, who were led by Vernon Paulo in the absence of Riaan Genis, took a 23-12 halftime lead following tries from Ntobeko Shezi, Vernon Paulo and Matthee Fortuin, with Zinedine Robinson successful with the conversions to give the home team the advantage. CUT responded with tries from Jacobus Cloete and 14/03/2023 - FNB CUT Overran FNB UJ In Second Half - CUT however fought back strongly and managed to score three tries before the end of the first half. Zachary Bester was the star of the show for the visitors, scoring two brilliant tries from long range. Ricoman Titus also got on the scoresheet with a team effort, giving the visitors a 30-12 lead at halftime. 14/03/2023 - FNB Tuks' Nightmare Continued Against FNB NWU Eagles - The nightmare is continuing for FNB UP-Tuks as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat this season, with log leaders FNB NWU Eagles beating the defending champions 26-22 in Pretoria. The halftime score was 21-15. The home side started on a high note when hooker Allitser Williams dotted down from a 14/03/2023 - Close Call For FNB Maties Against FNB Wits - The game was played in front of a small crowd as supporters were restricted from coming to the stadium due to ongoing protests on the Wits University campus. The first half saw Wits registering the first score through flanker Mark Snyman before Maties took a 10-7 lead courtesy of a penalty and a try from Matthew van Schalkwyk. 07/03/2023 - FNB UJ Scored Their First Victory Of The Year After Beating FNB UCT Ikeys - FNB UJ scored their first victory of this year’s tournament when they beat FNB UCT 43-24 in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Johannesburg. The match got off to a cracking start with Prince Nkabinde scoring the home team’s first try. UJ continued to dominate with Tengimgene Likhayaalso 07/03/2023 - Missed Conversion Cost FNB Wits Win Over FNB UFS Shimlas - FNB UFS Shimlas returned to winning ways in the Varsity Cup, edging FNB Wits 26-25 in a tense and exciting clash at in Bloemfontein. This was Wits’ first loss of the season. Kwezi Dlamini opened the scoring in the 4th minute, however, it wasn’t too long before Wits struck with a try courtesy of hooker Dameon 07/03/2023 - FNB Maties Second Half Comeback Secure Win Over FNB NWU Eagles - FNB Maties overcame a ten-point deficit at halftime to beat FNB NWU Eagles 31-28 in Potchefstroom to get their 2023 Varsity Cup campaign back on track. It took the home team just three minutes to open the scoring when Vernon Paulo went over the line after a driving maul. 07/03/2023 - FNB CUT Ixias In Another Sensational Win Over FNB UP-Tuks - FNB CUT Ixias pulled off another sensational win in the 2023 Varsity Cup with a hard-fought 41-39 victory over defending champions FNB UP-Tuks in Bloemfontein. The win meant back-to-back victories for the team that can no longer be considered a pushover while for Tuks the alarm bells will be ringing as it was their 27/02/2023 - FNB Wits Staged An Epic Comeback To Defeat FNB UJ - The second half saw a rejuvenated Wits team, who upped the intensity, putting UJ under pressure. The hard work eventually paid off for the Witsies, who registered their first try courtesy of eight-man ZiyandaMasipha. Wits started to dominate proceedings with UJ often looking a little shell-shocked, making mistakes at crucial 27/02/2023 - The FNB NWU Eagles Overpower FNB UFS Shimlas - Shimlas started the game strongly with a try from Michael Annies within the first minute of the game after he stormed over the Eagles’ defence from his half. The home team showed great character to fight back and score a try through Vernon Paulo. 27/02/2023 - FNB UCT Ikeys Scored An Impressive Victory Over FNB Tuks - Ntokozo Makhaza was the star of the show as FNB UCT Ikeys scored an impressive 40-19 victory over defending champions FNB UP-Tuksat Green Mile Fields. For Tuks, it’s back to the drawing board after last week’s one-point defeat against FNB UFH Shimlas in Pretoria. 27/02/2023 - FNB Maties Stunned At Home By FNB CUT - Maties’ relatively young and inexperienced team, with five debutants, was left silenced on 27th February at Danie Craven Stadium as the underdogs prevailed. CUT kept their cool to win a thrilling game in Stellenbosch. Early in the game already Maties’ discipline was lacking with CUT (Central University of Technology) getting a penalty and
