The Varsity Cup glory continues to elude the men’s rugby team of the University of the Free State (UFS), the Shimlas. The Kovsie lads’ dream to improve their record to two by winning this year’s title was shattered after losing against the three-time winners, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Ikeys in a semifinal played on Monday (10/04).
Unable to capitalise playing in their backyard, Shimlas lost 30 – 65 to the Capetonians. The visitors took full advantage of the chilly weather conditions as the hosts froze up in the match.
This means the Shimlas will have to wait another year for another chance to revive their fortunes. The Shimlas failed to emulate their masterful performance that saw them edge out Maties by 44 – 12 a week ago.
The province had pinned its hopes on the Kovsies after the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State’s, Ixias were eliminated.
This is the second time in three years the Ikeys achieved this feat against the Shimlas. The UFS men were eliminated in a home semifinal at Shimla Park after stumbling to the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Tuks last year.
For the coastal city boys, it was another historic win in the Free State capital just days after beating the Ixias by 79 – 31 in another crucial fixture played in Bloemfontein.
The Ikeys will strive for their third win of the coveted varsity trophy against the North-West University’s (NWU) Eagles in the final, which is scheduled for 17 April. The latter side is hunting for their second trophy, having achieved a maiden victory in 2016.
The Eagles took full advantage of playing at their home in Potchefstroom to dispose of the five-time champions, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Maties 19 – 10 in another semifinal also played on Monday.
The sought-after trophy is still up for grabs. Last year’s winner, Tuks, failed dismally to prove their championship pedigree as they finish the competition without any wins.
