The heat is on as the FNB Varsity Cup returns to full-capacity stadiums

It is time for full-capacity stadiums once again as the 2023 FNB Varsity Cup kicks off on 20 February. For more than two months, campuses across South Africa will come alive with the sizzling action of the 16th edition of the country’s premier student rugby competition on Monday nights.

“The heat is on in 2023 and we can’t wait to see the rugby that rocks returning to packed stadiums at campuses around the country! Brace yourself for hot rugby, hot fans and hot entertainment where rivalry is celebrated, memories are made and new champions will be crowned” says FNB Varsity Cup founder Francois Pienaar.

Defending champions FNB UP Tuks and FNB UFS Shimlas clash in the opening round at 5pm on 20 February. At 7pm the always heated Cape derby between FNB Maties and FNB UCT Ikeys takes place in Stellenbosch. Both games will be broadcast live on SuperSport. For the rest of the tournament, two selected matches will also be shown live by the broadcaster.

For the first time in the tournament’s history eight of the best university teams across the country will be competing to see who will be crowned 2023 champions.

After seven round-robin stages of the tournament, the top four sides on the log will advance to the semi-finals. The final will be played on 17 April.

Big news is that women’s rugby will form part of the competition for the first time ever in 2023, with the first match on 20 March.

For all the 2023 fixtures click HERE.

Ticketing and match details to be released soon.