The two local university men’s rugby clubs, the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Shimlas and the Central University of Technology’s (CUT) Ixias look to go beyond their limits in the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup tournament. The competition officially started yesterday – Monday, 19 February – with eight universities in action.
The CUT’s Ixias retain a place in the elite rank of the tournament after beating the Madibaz of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in a promotion-relegation play-offs match. The Free State side won 91 – 10, thereby avoiding demotion to play in the lower division, the Varsity Shield competition, which also features eight university clubs.
The UFS’ Shimlas reached the tournament’s semifinals but fell short of glory as they lost 30 – 65 to the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Ikeys in a must-win semifinal in Bloemfontein. The Shimlas started their campaign in the 2024 competition poorly, losing 32 – 38 to the UCT, last year’s runner-up. The defeat meant the Free State failed to avenge their defeat in the semifinal last year. The Shimlas last won the championship in 2015.
The CUT’s Ixias opened their campaign with a bang, beating their travelling opponents, the University of Johannesburg (UJ), 23 – 19, capitalising playing on home soil in Bloemfontein.
The wounded Shimlas are bound to collect maximum points against the UJ on Monday, 26 February, to avenge their defeat in the opening fixture. The CUT’s Ixias are hoping to continue their fine start when they face off against the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, also on Monday. Only good form will secure the two Free State teams a slot in this year’s semifinal set for 15 April, with the final scheduled for 22 April. Reaching the semifinals will intensify their chances to be crowned champions.
Previous winners of the competition are Maties of the Stellenbosch University in 2008 to 2010, and then in 2018 and 2019, while the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Tuks won it in 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2021. The UCT’s Ikeys are two-time winners (2011 and 2014).
