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.
The 2024 Varsity Cup saw a final in Bloemfontein, where the FNB UFS Shimlas were crowned champions after a 45–42 victory over the FNB UCT Ikey Tigers, sealed by a last‑minute penalty. 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. 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.
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 North-West University Stellenbosch University University of the Free State University of Cape Town University of the Witwatersrand University of Johannesburg Central University of Technology University of Western Cape
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 7 6 0 1 281 160 +121 4 0 28 2 7 6 0 1 231 130 +101 2 0 26 3 7 5 0 2 261 211 +50 4 1 25 4 7 4 1 2 266 147 +119 2 1 21 5 7 2 1 4 205 207 −2 3 0 13 6 7 2 0 5 213 226 −13 3 2 13 7 7 2 0 5 191 256 −65 2 2 12 8 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:
Pool stage
Matches
The following matches were played in the 2024 Varsity Cup:
Round one
Round two
Round three
Round four
Round five
Round six
Round seven
Play-offs
Semi-finals
Final
FB 15Michael Annies RW 14Siviwe ZondaniOC 13Nkoka NgobeIC 12Zane Bester LW 11Asanda KuneneFH 10Ethan Wentzel SH 9 Jandre Nel N8 8 Kwezi DlaminiOF 7 Pierre Uys (c) BF 6 Siyambuka NingizaRL 5 Johnre Stopforth LL 4 Reinier ViljoenTP 3 Frankie Dos Reis HK 2 Liyema Mgwigwi LP 1 Ntokozo Hlophe Replacements: 16Vice Hofmeyr 17Conley Pieterse 18Okkie Van Der Merwe 19Henri van Heerden 20Neels Volschenk 21Khanyisa Joni 22Stiaan Genis 23Avuyile Macebe Coach: André Tredoux FB 15Duran Rayn KoevortRW 14Rethabile LouwOC 13Joshua BoulleIC 12Jonathan Roche LW 11Ntokozo MakhazaFH 10Alex vermeulen SH 9 Asad Moos N8 8 Ruan Delport OF 7 Taariq KrugerBF 6 Siphomezo DyonaseRL 5 Johan van Rhyn (c) LL 4 Reynhardt CrousTP 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo HK 2 Keagan Blanckenberg LP 1 Luthando Woji Replacements: 16J Lombard 17M Khuzwayo 18Bryan le Roux 19Mika Schubert 20Wandile Mlaba 21Riaan Genis 22Kian Davis 23Jason Macleod-Smith Coach:Robbie Fleck Player of the Match: Jandre Nel
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa), Jonathan Lottering (South Africa) Television match official: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
Honours
The honour roll for the 2024 Varsity Cup was as follows:
2024 Varsity Cup Honours Champions: (2nd title) Player That Rocks: Ntokozo Makhaza, Forward That Rocks: Enos Ndiao, Back That Rocks: Matthew Fortuin, Rookie of the year: Likhona Finca, Top Points Scorer: Ntokozo Makhaza, (134) Top Try Scorer: Dewet Marais, (9)
References