2024 Varsity Cup

This article is about the 2024 Varsity Cup FNB rugby tournament. For the Varsity Shield tournament, see 2026 Varsity Shield. For all things related to Varsity Rugby, see Varsity Rugby.

2024 Varsity Cup
CountriesSouth Africa
Date19 February – 22 April 2024
ChampionsUFS Shimlas (2nd title)
Runners-upUCT Ikey Tigers
PromotedUP Tuks
RelegatedWits
Matches played59
Top point scorerNtokozo Makhaza
(134 - UCT Ikey Tigers)[1]
Top try scorerDewet Marais
(9 - Maties)[2]
Official website
varsitycup.co.za

The 2024 Varsity Cup was the 17th season of the Varsity Cup, the top competition in the annual Varsity Rugby series for men's rugby union. It was played between 19 February and 22 April 2024 and featured eight university teams.[3]

The 2024 Varsity Cup saw a thrilling final in Bloemfontein, where the FNB UFS Shimlas were crowned champions after a dramatic 45–42 victory over the FNB UCT Ikey Tigers, sealed by a last‑minute penalty.[4] The competition featured high‑scoring matches and standout individual performances, and saw UCT’s Ntokozo Makhaza finish the season as one of its most prolific points scorers, earning recognition despite UCT falling just short in the final.[5] The 2024 edition was widely regarded for its competitive league phase and showcased several tight fixtures that highlighted the growing depth across participating university squads.[6]

Competition rules and information

There were eight participating university teams in the 2024 Varsity Cup. They played each other once during the pool stage, either at home or away. Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top four teams after the pool stage qualified for the semifinals, which were followed by a final.

Teams

Location of teams in the 2024 Varsity Cup
Western Cape

The teams that played in the 2024 Varsity Cup are:

2024 Varsity Cup teams
Team name University Stadium
NWU Eagles North-West University Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
Maties Stellenbosch University Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
UFS Shimlas University of the Free State Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
UCT Ikey Tigers University of Cape Town UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town
Wits University of the Witwatersrand Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg
UJ University of Johannesburg UJ Stadium, Johannesburg
CUT Ixias Central University of Technology CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein
UWC University of Western Cape UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town

Standings

The final log for the 2024 Varsity Cup was:

2024 Varsity Cup log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 NWU Eagles 7 6 0 1 281 160 +121 4 0 28
2 Maties 7 6 0 1 231 130 +101 2 0 26
3 UFS Shimlas 7 5 0 2 261 211 +50 4 1 25
4 UCT Ikey Tigers 7 4 1 2 266 147 +119 2 1 21
5 Wits 7 2 1 4 205 207 −2 3 0 13
6 UJ 7 2 0 5 213 226 −13 3 2 13
7 CUT Ixias 7 2 0 5 191 256 −65 2 2 12
8 UWC 7 0 0 7 103 414 −311 0 0 0
Legend and competition rules
Legend:
Qualified for the semifinals. P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, TB = Try bonus points, LB = Losing bonus points, Pts = Log points
Competition rules:
Qualification:
The top four teams qualified for the semifinals.
Points breakdown:
* 4 points for a win
* 2 points for a draw
* 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
* 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

Pool stage

Matches

The following matches were played in the 2024 Varsity Cup:

Round one

19 February 2024 UFS Shimlas 32–38 UCT Ikey Tigers Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
14:45 Report


19 February 2024 CUT Ixias 23–19 UJ CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report


19 February 2024 Maties 12–23 NWU Eagles Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch  
17:00 Report


19 February 2024 UWC 10–66 Wits UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
17:00 Report

Round two

26 February 2024 UJ 31–34 UFS Shimlas UJ Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:45 Report


26 February 2024 NWU Eagles 49–15 UWC Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
17:00 Report


26 February 2024 UCT Ikey Tigers 10–15 Maties UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town  
17:00 Report


26 February 2024 Wits 34–17 CUT Ixias Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Report

Round three

4 March 2024 UWC 21–38 CUT Ixias UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
14:45 Report


4 March 2024 Maties 23–12 Wits Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch  
17:00 Report


4 March 2024 UCT Ikey Tigers 32–21 UJ UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town  
17:00 Report


4 March 2024 UFS Shimlas 35–26 NWU Eagles Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report

Round four

11 March 2024 NWU Eagles 51–22 Wits Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
14:45 Report


11 March 2024 Maties 54–22 UJ Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch  
17:00 Report


11 March 2024 UCT Ikey Tigers 44–7 CUT Ixias UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town  
17:00 Report


11 March 2024 UFS Shimlas 48–26 UWC Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report

Round five

18 March 2024 Wits 33–33 UCT Ikey Tigers Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:45 Report


18 March 2024 CUT Ixias 40–59 UFS Shimlas CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report


18 March 2024 UJ 12–49 NWU Eagles UJ Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Report


18 March 2024 UWC 14–63 Maties UWC Sport Stadium, Cape Town  
17:00 Report

Round six

25 March 2024 UWC 9–91 UCT Ikey Tigers UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town  
14:45 Report


25 March 2024 CUT Ixias 46–53 NWU Eagles CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report


25 March 2024 UFS Shimlas 29–38 Maties Shimla Park, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Report


25 March 2024 UJ 49–26 Wits UJ Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Report

Round seven

8 April 2024 Wits 12–24 UFS Shimlas Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg  
14:00 Report


8 April 2024 CUT Ixias 20–26 Maties CUT Stadium, Bloemfontein  
14:45 Report


8 April 2024 NWU Eagles 30–18 UCT Ikey Tigers Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
17:00 Report


8 April 2024 UJ 59–8 UWC UJ Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Report

Play-offs

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
15 April 2024
 
 
Maties24
 
22 April 2024
 
UFS Shimlas38
 
UFS Shimlas45
 
15 April 2024
 
UCT Ikey Tigers42
 
NWU Eagles18
 
 
UCT Ikey Tigers32
 

Semi-finals

15 April 2024
14:45
Maties24–38UFS Shimlas
Try: Kitshoff
Ngobeni
Topley
Burton
Con: Mostert (2)		ReportTry: Uys
Annies
Kunene (2)
Volschenk
Bester
Con: Wentzel (2)
Pen: Wentzel (p)
Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
FNB Player That Rocks - Asanda Kunene, UFS Shimlas
Attendance: 10,000 +
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
15 April 2024
17:00
NWU Eagles18-32UCT Ikey Tigers
Try: Van Zyl
Kubheka
Clack
Drop: Robinson 		ReportTry: Duran KoevortKoevort (2)
Schubert
Pen: Makhaza (p) (5)
Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom
FNB Player That Rocks - Reynhardt Crous, UCT Ikey Tigers
Attendance: 5,000 +
Referee: Sean Muller

Final

22 April 2025
17:00
UFS Shimlas45–42UCT Ikey Tigers
Try: Nel  14',  43'
Mgwigwi  18',  40'
Wentzel  35'
Zondani  53'
Con: Wentzel  19',  36',  40',  44'
Pen: Wentzel (83 p)		ReportTry: Blanckenberg  3'
Roche  7'
Louw  26'
Koevort  37'
Le Roux  77'
Con: Makhaza  4',  8',  27'
Pen: Makhaza (29 p), (47 p), (60 p)
Cards: Van Rhyn  42'
Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
FNB Player That Rocks - Jandre Nel
Attendance: 5,000 +
Referee: Dylen November
Shimlas
UCT
FB 15 Michael Annies
RW 14 Siviwe Zondani
OC 13 Nkoka Ngobe
IC 12 Zane Bester
LW 11 Asanda Kunene
FH 10 Ethan Wentzel
SH 9 Jandre Nel
N8 8 Kwezi Dlamini
OF 7 Pierre Uys (c)
BF 6 Siyambuka Ningiza
RL 5 Johnre Stopforth
LL 4 Reinier Viljoen
TP 3 Frankie Dos Reis
HK 2 Liyema Mgwigwi
LP 1 Ntokozo Hlophe
Replacements:
16 Vice Hofmeyr
17 Conley Pieterse
18 Okkie Van Der Merwe
19 Henri van Heerden
20 Neels Volschenk
21 Khanyisa Joni
22 Stiaan Genis
23 Avuyile Macebe
Coach:
André Tredoux
FB 15 Duran Rayn Koevort
RW 14 Rethabile Louw
OC 13 Joshua Boulle
IC 12 Jonathan Roche
LW 11 Ntokozo Makhaza
FH 10 Alex vermeulen
SH 9 Asad Moos
N8 8 Ruan Delport
OF 7 Taariq Kruger
BF 6 Siphomezo Dyonase
RL 5 Johan van Rhyn (c)
LL 4 Reynhardt Crous
TP 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo
HK 2 Keagan Blanckenberg
LP 1 Luthando Woji
Replacements:
16 J Lombard
17 M Khuzwayo
18 Le Roux
19 Mika Schubert
20 Wandile Mlaba
21 Riaan Genis
22 Kian Davis
23 Jason Macleod-Smith
Coach:
Robbie Fleck

Player of the Match:
Jandre Nel UFS Shimlas [7]

Assistant referees:
Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa),[7] Jonathan Lottering (South Africa) [7]
Television match official:
Egon Seconds (South Africa)[7]


Honours

The honour roll for the 2024 Varsity Cup was as follows: [8]

2024 Varsity Cup Honours
Champions: UFS Shimlas (2nd title)
Player That Rocks: Ntokozo Makhaza, UCT Ikey Tigers
Forward That Rocks: Enos Ndiao, UCT Ikey Tigers
Back That Rocks: Matthew Fortuin, NWU Eagles
Rookie of the year: Likhona Finca, UJ
Top Points Scorer: Ntokozo Makhaza, UCT Ikey Tigers (134)
Top Try Scorer: Dewet Marais, Maties (9)

References

  1. ^ "Key FNB Varsity Cup records". varsitycup.co.za.
  2. ^ "Key FNB Varsity Cup records". varsitycup.co.za.
  3. ^ "Varsity Cup 2024". superbru.co.za.
  4. ^ "Shimlas crowned Varsity Cup champs after beating Ikeys in final". The Citizen.
  5. ^ "Shimlas sink Ikeys in dramatic fashion to be crowned 2024 Varsity Cup champions". VarsityCup.co.za.
  6. ^ "Ikey Tigers fall in Varsity Cup final, but leave with individual accolades". UCT News.
  7. ^ a b c d "Shimlas sink Ikeys in dramatic fashion to be crowned 2024 Varsity Cup champions". www.varsitycup.com. Varsity Cup. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  8. ^ "FNB Varsity Cup and Shield 2024 success stories". varsitycup.co.za.
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