2008 Varsity Cup

The 2008 Varsity Cup was contested from 18 February to 7 April 2008. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the first season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The tournament was won by Maties for the first time; they beat UCT Ikey Tigers 16-10 in the final played on 7 April 2008.

Competition

There were eight participating universities in the 2008 Varsity Cup. These teams played each other once over the course of the season. Most matches were played at the venue for either team, but the Round Five, Six and Seven matches were played at Outeniqua Park, George over the Easter weekend.

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).

2011 Varsity Cup

The 2011 Varsity Cup was contested from 7 February to 11 April 2011. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the fourth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The tournament was won by UCT Ikey Tigers for the first time; they beat UP Tuks 26–16 in the final played on 11 April 2011. TUT Vikings won their relegation play-off match against CUT Ixias to remain in the Varsity Cup for 2012.

Competition

Varsity Cup

There were eight participating universities in the 2011 Varsity Cup. These teams played each other once over the course of the season, either home or away.

Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored 4 or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by 7 points or less. Teams were ranked by points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

2012 Varsity Rugby

The 2012 Varsity Cup was contested from 6 February to 9 April 2012. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the fifth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The tournament was won by UP Tuks for the first time; they beat Maties 29–21 in the final played on 9 April 2012. TUT Vikings were automatically relegated to the second-tier Varsity Shield competition for 2013, but UCT Ikey Tigers won their relegation play-off match against CUT Ixias to remain in the Varsity Cup for 2013.

Scoring

All four 2012 Varsity Rugby competitions will use a different scoring system to the regular system. Tries will be worth five points as usual, but conversions will be worth three points, while penalties and drop goals will only be worth two points.

Varsity Cup

Competition Rules

There are eight participating universities in the 2012 Varsity Cup. These teams will play each other once over the course of the season, either home or away.

2013 Varsity Cup

The 2013 Varsity Cup was contested from 4 February to 8 April 2013. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the sixth season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.

The tournament was won by UP Tuks for the second consecutive season; they beat Maties 44–5 in the final played on 8 April 2013. No team was relegated to the second-tier Varsity Shield competition for 2014.

Competition rules and information

There were eight participating universities in the 2013 Varsity Cup. These teams played each other once over the course of the season, either 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).