The stage is set for another unforgettable season of Rugby That Rocks as the FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield tournaments return in 2026 to once again cast the spotlight on South Africa’s most exciting student rugby talent.
The FNB Varsity Shield kicks off on Friday, 13 February 2026, and the FNB Varsity Cup follows with its opening round on Monday, 16 February 2026. From the first whistle, fans can expect fast-paced rugby and the best vibe on campus.
Varsity Cup and Shield remain the clearest pathways in South African rugby, where 61 former Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield players have gone on to represent the Springboks. Every season adds new names to the story. In 2026, the search to discover “Who’s NXT” begins. It connects the proud legacy of Varsity Cup and Shield with a future which is still being written.
FNB Varsity Cup co-founder and CEO Francois Pienaar believes the theme captures the heart of what Varsity Rugby has always stood for.
“Varsity Cup has always been about opportunity and giving young players the platform to test themselves. It is about helping them grow and dream bigger,” said Pienaar.
“When we ask, ‘Who’s NXT?’ we celebrate the journey from student rugby to the highest level of the game. We want to inspire the next generation to step forward with courage and embrace the challenge in front of them, believing that every great rugby story starts somewhere. For many, that journey begins with the Rugby That Rocks.”