The final fixtures and tournament dates are now available for the 16th edition of South Africa’s premier student rugby competition.
The FNB Varsity Cup is set to return to full-capacity stadiums at campuses around the country with the FNB Varsity Shield season beginning on 16 February 2023 and with all games taking place on Thursday evenings. The FNB Varsity Cup tournament will Monday nights alight with the opening round kicking off on 20 February 2023.
“The heat is on in 2023 and we can’t wait to see the rugby that rocks returning to packed stadiums at campuses around the country! Brace yourself for hot rugby, hot fans and hot entertainment where rivalry is celebrated, memories are made and new champions will be crowned,” says FNB Varsity Cup founder Francois Pienaar.
“For the first time in the tournament’s history, there will be eight teams in Varsity Cup and eight teams in Varsity Shield vying for the honour of lifting the coveted trophy. With the added pressure of it being a promotion-relegation year, we can expect sizzling competition as teams put everything on the line.
“I’m also excited to announce that we will be introducing a women’s competition in 2023. As one of the fastest growing team sports around the world, we are proud to ignite women’s rugby at the university level in South Africa.”
With COVID restrictions lifted, stadiums will return to full capacity and fans will once again have the opportunity to show why they are the hottest, loudest and most colourful in South Africa in the Fans That Rock competition.
The opening round of the FNB Varsity Cup features defending champions FNB UP-Tuks and FNB UFS at 5 pm on 20 February 2023. At 7 pm it will be time for the always heated Cape derby between FNB Maties and FNB UCT. Both games will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
The FNB Varsity Shield tournament gets off to a flaming start on 16 February 2023 when title holders FNB UFH take on Eastern Cape rivals FNB WSU at 7 pm.
For all the 2023 FNB Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield fixtures CLICK HERE.
