Varsity Cup

Varsity Cup preview (Round 3)

Maties will look to extend their unbeaten run in this year’s Varsity Cup against winless Tuks on Monday, while CUT host NMU, Wits travel to Shimlas and UCT host Pukke.

Wits upset Tuks 25-19 in Johannesburg, while there were also wins for UCT, Maties and UJ in round two of the Varsity Cup. Wits – who beat Ikeys in Cape Town last week – are now second on the log, with Tuks, who lost at home to Shimlas in round one, languishing in seventh. It was Tuks who drew first blood with… Read more →

Shimlas shock Tuks

Shimlas beat title-holders Tuks 19-17 in Pretoria during the opening round of the Varsity Cup, while there were also wins for Maties, Pukke and Wits. DYLAN JACK reports.

Power play sparks intrigue

Maties showed everyone how to make effective use of the Varsity Cup’s controversial new ‘power play’ in their clash against UJ on Monday, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

CUT target improved showing

CUT coach Tiaan Liebenberg says his side must believe they can beat the top sides in order to avoid relegation from the Varsity Cup this year. CUT finished bottom of the table after their first season of Varsity Cup in 2017, despite running a number of teams close. Every second year the team that finishes last in the Varsity Cup… Read more →

‘We have to embrace the changes’

Tuks coach David Manuel says his team is embracing the power play law change ahead of the 2018 Varsity Cup season.

‘We must adapt to power plays’

Head coach Hawies Fourie says Maties have spent a lot of time preparing for the Varsity Cup’s new power play experiment. This year, captains will be able to remove any two nominated backline players from the opposition for three minutes of playing time during matches. The power play, which will also be part of the Varsity Shield, can only be… Read more →

Steinhoff pulls out of Varsity Cup

Steinhoff has withdrawn as a sponsor of the Varsity Cup tournament. Steinhoff CEO Marcus Jooste resigned in early December due to financial irregularities, and the company’s shares crashed by 61%. The Blitzboks and Steinhoff have already parted ways, and on Wednesday it was confirmed that Steinhoff will no long sponsor South Africa’s intervarsity tournament. ALSO READ: Blitzboks, Steinhoff part ways… Read more →

‘Power Play’ for 2018 Varsity Cup

Varsity Cup captains will be able to remove any two nominated backline players from the opposition for three minutes of playing time during matches next year. The Power Play, which will also be part of the 2018 Varsity Shield, can only be called by a team while in their own half, must be called by the captain, and can only… Read more →