The heat is back on as the to FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield 2024 kicks-off this week!
Both competitions will once again showcase the best of student rugby the country has to offer.
The Varsity Cup competition kicks off tonight (Monday 19 February) when FNB UFS Shimlas and FNB UCT Ikeys take to the field in Cape Town. The clash between FNB WSU and FNB UKZN in Mdantsane at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Thursday (22 February) sees the start of the Varsity Shield competition.
After back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles by the Springboks 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 wonder Varsity Cup founder and 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar says he is proud of the achievements so far.
“The competitiveness we’ve witnessed in the Varsity Cup and Shield promises the graduation of even more stars to the Springboks, affirming that the system works as a perfect bridge between high school and provincial rugby,” he said.
“I’m also excited by developments in the Shield competition with the addition of a Varsity College team highlighting the importance of promotion and relegation. And then building on the success of last year’s first FNB Varsity Cup Women, this year FNB UWC will be joining, reflecting the significant growth of women’s rugby.
“In essence, these developments amplify the Varsity Cup and Shield’s role as the ultimate platform for aspiring rugby players, fostering talent and diversity while playing cracking rugby.”
There are a few notable changes from the 2023 competition and a few additional highlights for 2024. These include that the majority of Shield matches will take place on Fridays with only a handful on Thursdays.
There is more excitement around mascots that will be a key feature of this year’s tournament. According to Pienaar this will add a certain “vibrancy and spirit to the matches.”
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 year’s final on home turf in Potchefstroom. If they manage to do so they will add a third trophy to their cabinet.
This year the Varsity Cup will be contested without former powerhouse FNB UP-Tuks for the first time in the competition’s history. Champions in 2012, 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2022, the Pretoria-based team failed to win a single match last year and will now play in the Varsity Shield.
Tuks’ loss was FNB UWC’s gain after the Capetonians were crowned the 2023 Varsity Shield champions following victory over FNB CPUT in the final.
