2024 Varsity Cup

South African college rugby competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2024 Varsity Cup was the 17th season of the Varsity Cup, the top competition in the annual Varsity Rugby series for men's rugby union. It was played between 19 February and 22 April 2024 and featured eight university teams.[3]

CountriesSouth Africa
Date19 February – 22 April 2024
ChampionsUFS Shimlas (2nd title)
Runners-upUCT Ikey Tigers
Quick facts Countries, Date ...
2024 Varsity Cup
CountriesSouth Africa
Date19 February – 22 April 2024
ChampionsUFS Shimlas (2nd title)
Runners-upUCT Ikey Tigers
PromotedUP Tuks
RelegatedWits
Matches played59
Top point scorerNtokozo Makhaza
(134 - UCT Ikey Tigers)[1]
Top try scorerDewet Marais
(9 - Maties)[2]
Official website
varsitycup.co.za
← 2023
2025 →
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The 2024 Varsity Cup saw a thrilling final in Bloemfontein, where the FNB UFS Shimlas were crowned champions after a dramatic 45–42 victory over the FNB UCT Ikey Tigers, sealed by a last‑minute penalty.[4] The competition featured high‑scoring matches and standout individual performances, and saw UCT’s Ntokozo Makhaza finish the season as one of its most prolific points scorers, earning recognition despite UCT falling just short in the final.[5] The 2024 edition was widely regarded for its competitive league phase and showcased several tight fixtures that highlighted the growing depth across participating university squads.[6]

Competition rules and information

There were eight participating university teams in the 2024 Varsity Cup. They played each other once during the pool stage, either at home or away. Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top four teams after the pool stage qualified for the semifinals, which were followed by a final.

Teams

More information Location of teams in the 2024 Varsity Cup, Western Cape ...
Location of teams in the 2024 Varsity Cup
Western Cape
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The teams that played in the 2024 Varsity Cup are:

More information Team name, University ...
2024 Varsity Cup teams
Team name University Stadium
NWU EaglesNorth-West UniversityFanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
MatiesStellenbosch UniversityDanie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
UFS ShimlasUniversity of the Free StateShimla Park, Bloemfontein
UCT Ikey TigersUniversity of Cape TownUCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
WitsUniversity of the WitwatersrandWits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg
UJUniversity of JohannesburgUJ Stadium, Johannesburg
CUT IxiasCentral University of TechnologyCUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
UWCUniversity of Western CapeUWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town
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Standings

The final log for the 2024 Varsity Cup was:

More information Pos, Team ...
2024 Varsity Cup log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 NWU Eagles 7601281160+1214028
2 Maties 7601231130+1012026
3 UFS Shimlas 7502261211+504125
4 UCT Ikey Tigers 7412266147+1192121
5 Wits 7214205207−23013
6 UJ 7205213226−133213
7 CUT Ixias 7205191256−652212
8 UWC 7007103414−311000
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More information Legend and competition rules ...
Legend and competition rules
Legend:
Qualified for the semifinals. P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, TB = Try bonus points, LB = Losing bonus points, Pts = Log points
Competition rules:
Qualification:
The top four teams qualified for the semifinals.
Points breakdown:
* 4 points for a win
* 2 points for a draw
* 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
* 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match
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Pool stage

Matches

The following matches were played in the 2024 Varsity Cup:

Round one

19 February 2024 UFS Shimlas 32–38 UCT Ikey Tigers Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
14:45 Report
19 February 2024 CUT Ixias 23–19 UJ CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report
19 February 2024 Maties 12–23 NWU Eagles Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch  
17:00 Report
19 February 2024 UWC 10–66 Wits UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
17:00 Report

Round two

26 February 2024 UJ 31–34 UFS Shimlas UJ Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:45 Report
26 February 2024 NWU Eagles 49–15 UWC Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
17:00 Report
26 February 2024 UCT Ikey Tigers 10–15 Maties UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town  
17:00 Report
26 February 2024 Wits 34–17 CUT Ixias Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Report

Round three

4 March 2024 UWC 21–38 CUT Ixias UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
14:45 Report
4 March 2024 Maties 23–12 Wits Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch  
17:00 Report
4 March 2024 UCT Ikey Tigers 32–21 UJ UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town  
17:00 Report
4 March 2024 UFS Shimlas 35–26 NWU Eagles Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report

Round four

11 March 2024 NWU Eagles 51–22 Wits Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
14:45 Report
11 March 2024 Maties 54–22 UJ Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch  
17:00 Report
11 March 2024 UCT Ikey Tigers 44–7 CUT Ixias UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town  
17:00 Report
11 March 2024 UFS Shimlas 48–26 UWC Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report

Round five

18 March 2024 Wits 33–33 UCT Ikey Tigers Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:45 Report
18 March 2024 CUT Ixias 40–59 UFS Shimlas CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report
18 March 2024 UJ 12–49 NWU Eagles UJ Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Report
18 March 2024 UWC 14–63 Maties UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
17:00 Report

Round six

25 March 2024 UWC 9–91 UCT Ikey Tigers UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town  
14:45 Report
25 March 2024 CUT Ixias 46–53 NWU Eagles CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report
25 March 2024 UFS Shimlas 29–38 Maties Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report
25 March 2024 UJ 49–26 Wits UJ Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Report

Round seven

8 April 2024 Wits 12–24 UFS Shimlas Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:00 Report
8 April 2024 CUT Ixias 20–26 Maties CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein  
14:45 Report
8 April 2024 NWU Eagles 30–18 UCT Ikey Tigers Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
17:00 Report
8 April 2024 UJ 59–8 UWC UJ Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Report

Play-offs

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
15 April 2024
 
 
Maties24
 
22 April 2024
 
UFS Shimlas38
 
UFS Shimlas45
 
15 April 2024
 
UCT Ikey Tigers42
 
NWU Eagles18
 
 
UCT Ikey Tigers32
 

Semi-finals

15 April 2024
14:45
Maties24–38UFS Shimlas
Try: Kitshoff rugby ball
Ngobeni rugby ball
Topley rugby ball
Burton rugby ball
Con: Mostert rugby goalposts icon (2)		ReportTry: Uys rugby ball
Annies
Kunene rugby ball (2)
Volschenk rugby ball
Bester rugby ball
Con: Wentzel rugby goalposts icon (2)
Pen: Wentzel (p)
Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
FNB Player That Rocks - Asanda Kunene, UFS Shimlas
Attendance: 10,000 +
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
15 April 2024
17:00
NWU Eagles18-32UCT Ikey Tigers
Try: Van Zyl rugby ball
Kubheka rugby ball
Clack rugby ball
Drop: Robinson rugby goalposts icon		ReportTry: Duran KoevortKoevort rugby ball (2)
Schubert rugby ball
Pen: Makhaza (p) (5)
Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
FNB Player That Rocks - Reynhardt Crous, UCT Ikey Tigers
Attendance: 5,000 +
Referee: Sean Muller

Final

22 April 2025
17:00
UFS Shimlas45–42UCT Ikey Tigers
Try: Nel rugby ball 14', rugby ball 43'
Mgwigwi rugby ball 18', rugby ball 40'
Wentzel rugby ball 35'
Zondani rugby ball 53'
Con: Wentzel rugby goalposts icon 19', rugby goalposts icon 36', rugby goalposts icon 40', rugby goalposts icon 44'
Pen: Wentzel (83 p)		ReportTry: Blanckenberg rugby ball 3'
Roche rugby ball 7'
Louw rugby ball 26'
Koevort rugby ball 37'
Le Roux rugby ball 77'
Con: Makhaza rugby goalposts icon 4', rugby goalposts icon 8', rugby goalposts icon 27'
Pen: Makhaza (29 p), (47 p), (60 p)
Cards: Van Rhyn Yellow card 42'
Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
FNB Player That Rocks - Jandre Nel
Attendance: 5,000 +
Referee: Dylen November
Shimlas
UCT
FB15Michael Annies
RW14Siviwe Zondani
OC13Nkoka Ngobe
IC12Zane Bester
LW11Asanda Kunene
FH10Ethan Wentzel
SH9Jandre Nel
N88Kwezi Dlamini
OF7Pierre Uys (c)
BF6Siyambuka Ningiza
RL5Johnre Stopforth
LL4Reinier Viljoen
TP3Frankie Dos Reis
HK2Liyema Mgwigwi
LP1Ntokozo Hlophe
Replacements:
16Vice Hofmeyr
17Conley Pieterse
18Okkie Van Der Merwe
19Henri van Heerden
20Neels Volschenk
21Khanyisa Joni
22Stiaan Genis
23Avuyile Macebe
Coach:
André Tredoux
FB15Duran Rayn Koevort
RW14Rethabile Louw
OC13Joshua Boulle
IC12Jonathan Roche
LW11Ntokozo Makhaza
FH10Alex vermeulen
SH9Asad Moos
N88Ruan Delport
OF7Taariq Kruger
BF6Siphomezo Dyonase
RL5Johan van Rhyn (c)
LL4Reynhardt Crous
TP3John-Kelly Okonkwo
HK2Keagan Blanckenberg
LP1Luthando Woji
Replacements:
16J Lombard
17M Khuzwayo
18Le Roux
19Mika Schubert
20Wandile Mlaba
21Riaan Genis
22Kian Davis
23Jason Macleod-Smith
Coach:
Robbie Fleck

Player of the Match:
Jandre Nel UFS Shimlas [7]

Assistant referees:
Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa),[7] Jonathan Lottering (South Africa) [7]
Television match official:
Egon Seconds (South Africa)[7]

Honours

The honour roll for the 2024 Varsity Cup was as follows: [8]

2024 Varsity Cup Honours
Champions:UFS Shimlas (2nd title)
Player That Rocks:Ntokozo Makhaza, UCT Ikey Tigers
Forward That Rocks:Enos Ndiao, UCT Ikey Tigers
Back That Rocks:Matthew Fortuin, NWU Eagles
Rookie of the year:Likhona Finca, UJ
Top Points Scorer:Ntokozo Makhaza, UCT Ikey Tigers (134)
Top Try Scorer:Dewet Marais, Maties (9)

References

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