Maties marked their 150th anniversary with a dramatic opening victory in the 2025 Varsity Cup, while CUT made a strong statement with a convincing win against UJ.
Maties celebrated their 150th anniversary with a thrilling 41-37 victory over defending champions Shimlas in the opening match of the 2025 Varsity Cup . The packed Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch witnessed a captivating contest, with Maties showcasing their youthful talent and resilience. The hosts led 22-16 at halftime and ultimately clinched the victory with a penalty kick in the final two minutes.
Coach Kabamba Floors' squad, featuring 17 debutants, proved their mettle against a determined Shimlas side coached by Andre Tredoux. Maties skipper Ezekiel Ngobeni was awarded the Player that Rocks for his outstanding performance. Meanwhile, CUT stormed to a 29-13 victory against UJ in Johannesburg. CUT capitalized early on with tries from Jan Hendrik Bessenger and Tokelo Ntaopane, establishing a comfortable lead. UJ fought back valiantly in the latter stages with tries from Malcom Lamout and Liam Rowan, but ultimately fell short. In another match, Tuks secured a dominant 35-8 bonus-point win against Wits. Tuks hooker Allister Williams was the star performer, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while flyhalf JP Wentzel contributed 10 points from the kicking tee. The round one match between UCT and Eagles had to be postponed due to student protests. It will now be played today at an undisclosed location. Round two promises to be equally exciting, with Tuks hosting UJ in Pretoria, Shimlas facing Wits, UCT Ikeys traveling to CUT, and Maties venturing north to take on the Eagles
Varsity Cup Rugby Maties Shimlas CUT UJ Tuks Wits UCT Eagles
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Varsity Cup: Maties edge defending champs, CUT slice through UJMaties marked their 150th anniversary with a dramatic 41-37 victory over defending Varsity Cup champions Shimlas at a packed Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Monday.
Read more »
Castle Super League: Bulls President Sees Potential for Club Rugby to Rival Varsity CupWillem Strauss, president of the Bulls rugby union, envisions the newly formed Castle Super League as a platform to elevate club rugby in South Africa, potentially reaching the stature of the popular Varsity Cup. He highlights the league's potential to attract talent, foster development, and ensure the long-term viability of club rugby.
Read more »
Varsity Cup 2025 Kicks Off Today with Four FixturesThe Varsity Cup, South Africa's premier student rugby tournament, is back with its 2025 season. The tournament, known for producing world-class talent, features top universities competing for the title. The season promises thrilling matches, electrifying atmospheres, and a spotlight on the growth of women's rugby.
Read more »
Varsity Cup Match Postponed Due to Student ProtestsThe opening 2025 Varsity Cup match between UCT Tigers and NWU Eagles was postponed on Monday due to student protests at UCT regarding the ongoing student accommodation crisis. Students occupied the rugby field, preventing the match from starting. The rescheduled match will be played behind closed doors on Tuesday at an undisclosed venue.
Read more »
Varsity Cup: Student Protests Force Cancellation of Opening MatchThe 2025 Varsity Cup rugby tournament got off to a dramatic start with the first match between UCT Ikeys and NWU canceled due to student protests. The cancellation highlights the social and political climate in South Africa while the tournament organizers aim to reschedule the fixture.
Read more »
Varsity Cup Week 1: Every resultThe 2025 Varsity Cup kicked off on Monday, 17 February. Here are all the results. How did your university do?
Read more »