The 2026 Varsity Cup reaches its fever pitch this Monday 6 April as the competition enters the knockout stages. With only four teams remaining, the stakes could not be higher in what promises to be a dramatic afternoon and evening of “do-or-die” rugby.
The action kicks off at 16:45 at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom, where the NWU Eagles host Maties in a clash that is too close to call.
While the Eagles secured second place on the log and earned the vital home-ground advantage, they will be wary of a Maties side that has already proven they can take points in Potchefstroom. When the two giants met earlier, in round 2, the Maroon Machine clinical edge saw them achieve a narrow 30-26 victory.
For the Eagles, today is about more than just a spot in the final; it is about redemption. For Maties, it is an opportunity to silence the home crowd and continue their march toward another title.
The second semifinal moves to Pretoria at 19:00, where table-toppers UP-Tuks face off against UJ.
On paper, Tuks enter the match as overwhelming favorites. Their league-stage dominance was perfectly encapsulated by their previous encounter with UJ, where they dismantled the Johannesburg side 51-22 on away turf.
However, knockout rugby often disregards form, and UJ will be looking to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent tournament history.
Match day fixtures
- NWU Eagles vs Maties
- Venue: Potchefstroom
- Kick-off: 16:45
- UP-Tuks vs UJ
- Venue: Pretoria
- Kick-off: 19:00
Source: Kickoff.com
