The two local university men\u2019s rugby clubs, the University of the Free State\u2019s (UFS) Shimlas and the Central University of Technology\u2019s (CUT) Ixias look to go beyond their limits in the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup tournament. The competition officially started yesterday \u2013 Monday, 19 February \u2013 with eight universities in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CUT\u2019s 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 \u2013 10, thereby avoiding demotion to play in the lower division, the Varsity Shield competition, which also features eight university clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UFS\u2019 Shimlas reached the tournament\u2019s semifinals but fell short of glory as they lost 30 \u2013 65 to the University of Cape Town\u2019s (UCT) Ikeys in a must-win semifinal in Bloemfontein. The Shimlas started their campaign in the 2024 competition poorly, losing 32 \u2013 38 to the UCT, last year\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CUT\u2019s Ixias opened their campaign with a bang, beating their travelling opponents, the University of Johannesburg (UJ), 23 \u2013 19, capitalising playing on home soil in Bloemfontein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s 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\u2019s semifinal set for 15 April, with the final scheduled for 22 April. Reaching the semifinals will intensify their chances to be crowned champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s (UP) Tuks won it in 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2021. The UCT\u2019s Ikeys are two-time winners (2011 and 2014).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The two local university men\u2019s rugby clubs, the University of the Free State\u2019s (UFS) Shimlas and the Central University of Technology\u2019s (CUT) Ixias look to go beyond their limits in the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup tournament. The competition officially 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