The two local university men’s rugby teams, the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Shimlas and Central University of Technology’s (CUT) Ixias, have to take part in a playoff berth to qualify as part of the top four teams in this year’s FNB Varsity Cup.
The play-offs among the top four will be held on 10 April.
Both local teams have a good chance at advancing, and are bound to pull out all the stops in the final ranking games on 3 April.
The Shimlas improved their chances when they beat local rivals Ixias 63 – 36 in a derby played on Monday (27/03). The win propelled them to position three with 20 points, while Ixias dropped to position five with 17 points. It is make or break for both in their final matches of round seven.
The Ixias are bound to amend this against the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Ikeys, while the Shimlas will travel to Stellenbosch University to face Maties, who are among the favourites to secure a slot in the tournament’s top four.
After a sluggish start, the Shimlas fought their way back in contention for the title. Both Ixias and Shimlas will be making history if they reach the top four in the competition. This will improve the province’s chances to have a team in this year’s FNB Varsity Cup final, to be played on 17 April.
Both teams should hope Wits loses against the Eagles team of the North-West University (NWU) in the final outing. While the Ixias are yet to win the trophy, the Shimlas won their first-ever maiden title in 2015 and are looking to have their name engraved on this year’s trophy after winning the tournament.
The Maties boast a record of winning the competition from 2008 to 2010 and then in 2018 and 2019, while the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Tuks won in 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2021. The Ikeys won the tournament in 2011 and 2014, and the Eagles in 2016.
With the defending champions, Tuks, out of favour, the sought-after trophy is up for grabs for any of the other deserving teams.This is the 16th edition of South Africa’s premier student rugby competition, which officially commenced in February.
