The derby between UCT Ikeys and Maties in Cape Town on Monday will be the Varsity Cup’s 500th match. Here are 22 stats and facts you need to know before the landmark game.
• Eleven different varsities have competed in the Varsity Cup since the inaugural season in 2008 (CUT Ixias, Madibaz, Maties, NWU Eagles, TUT Vikings, UCT Ikeys, UFS Shimlas, UJ, UP-Tuks, UWC, Wits).
• The first Varsity Cup match was played between the UCT Ikeys and NWU Pukke (now known as the Eagles) in Cape Town on 18 February 2008, which ended in a 23-17 victory for the visitors.
• The first Varsity Cup point was scored by Corné Meyer of NWU Pukke, who kicked a penalty against the UCT Ikeys on 18 February 2008.
• The first Varsity Cup try was scored by Marcello Sampson for the UCT Ikeys against NWU Pukke on 18 February 2008.
• The first Varsity Cup hat-trick was scored by Marvin Christians for the UCT Ikeys against UP-Tuks on 25 February 2008.
• The first team to score two hat-tricks in one Varsity Cup match was the UCT Ikeys against UFS-Shimlas on 28 March 2011, when Therlow Pietersen and Pete Haw each scored three tries.
• The first Varsity Cup drop goal was kicked by Danie Opperman for the TUT Vikings against the NWU Eagles on 23 February 2008.
• Maties will be playing their 128th Varsity Cup match, which is the most by any team in the competition.
• Maties have played in nine Varsity Cup finals, which is the most finals appearances by a team.
• Maties have won five Varsity Cup titles which is the most by a team.
• The record for most points scored by a team in a Varsity Cup match is held by UP-Tuks, who scored 100 points against the UCT Ikeys in 2016 and against the CUT Ixias in 2017.
• The record for most tries scored by a team in a Varsity Cup match is 14, achieved by UJ against the Madibaz in 2010 and by UP-Tuks against the CUT Ixias in 2017.
• The longest winning streak in Varsity Cup history is 17 games by Maties between 2 April 2018 and 9 March 2020.
• Niel Oelofse made 44 appearances for Maties, making him the most capped player in Varsity Cup history.
• Tinus de Beer scored 230 points for UP-Tuks, making him the top point-scorer in Varsity Cup history.
• Edwill van der Merwe scored 23 tries for Maties, making him the top try-scorer in Varsity Cup history.
• The record for the most points scored in a Varsity Cup match is held by Gerrit Smith, who scored 40 points for the Madibaz against the TUT Vikings in 2012.
• The record for most tries scored in a Varsity Cup match is held by Duhan van der Merwe, who scored six tries for UP-Tuks against the UCT Ikeys in 2016.
• Chris Smit, Niel Oelofse and Remu Malan each played in four Varsity Cup finals for Maties, which is the most final appearances by a player.
• Hugo van As is the most experienced head coach in Varsity Cup history, taking charge of his 91st Varsity Cup match on Monday when Wits play against UP-Tuks. He coached UJ in 45 matches between 2008 and 2013, and he has coached Wits since 2017.
• The most successful head coach in Varsity Cup history is Chean Roux, who won three titles with Maties between 2008 and 2010.
• Chean Roux (Maties), Hawies Fourie (Maties) and Nollis Marias (UP-Tuks) each coached in four Varsity Cup finals, which is the most by a head coach.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
