Varsity Cup: Platform for future stars.

Varsity Cup: Equipping the stars of the future to press on toward their goals, both on and off the field.

The Varsity Cup competition affords young athletes the opportunity to express themselves on a national platform, while simultaneously striving toward academic success. Adolf Fourie of Steers, who is one of the competitions leading sponsors, stated “The Varsity Cup is an innovative and life changing tournament”. The competition bridges the gap between amateur and professional rugby within South Africa, through its electrifying vibe and talent on display each Monday night.

The Varsity Cup allows players between the ages of 18 to 25 to share the pitch and express themselves each week. The competition is also a platform for up and coming rugby players, fresh out of school, to test their metal against more experienced opposition. One such case, is the University of Cape Town’s William Rose. A first year student at the university, included in the Ikey Tigers squad for the 2019 season. Rose, a nippy and elusive halfback believes, “The competition has a positive impact on people competing in it, as it allows one to experience sport at a higher level”.

Edwill van der Merwe, the competition’s all-time leading try scorer, reiterates the sentiment of the Varsity Cup being a breeding ground for future talent as he states, “Any young player who wants to kickstart their career of rugby, should definitely consider playing Varsity Cup”. One could almost make the assumption that due to the platform of Varsity Cup, players such as Edwill have been pushed into the forefront and into potential selection for provincial competitions such as the Currie Cup.

When asked about their goals for the future and how the platform of Varsity Cup has aided their journey, both William and Edwill share similar sentiments. William stressed the fact that the competition is a “crucial platform” for players seeking to prove their worth as well as an opportunity to crack into contention for provincial selection. Edwill, who has represented Maties for the past 4 seasons, states, “It’s been a blast and the competition has helped me position myself for the future”. The winger who is well adept in playing anywhere across the back-three, has blistering pace and a knack for the try-line. This has seen him play in the Supersport Rugby Challenge, representing the Western Province. The winger has set his sights on playing at a higher level and recognises the fact that the Varsity Cup is a viable stepping-stone.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Varsity Cup allows young aspiring athletes to not only position themselves to obtain their sporting goals but fulfil their academic aspirations as well. “Off the field the Varsity Cup has given me an opportunity to not only play for Maties but study through the University of Stellenbosch which is preparing me for life after rugby”, states Edwill van der Merwe. William Rose emphasises a similar opinion as he believes that the travelling involved with the competition as well as managing lectures and assignments, “pressures you to complete your work in advance”.

The Varsity Cup provides up and coming student athletes with a platform to gain national recognition and a chance at a spot on the roster of a provincial union. An added bonus is that the competition ensures that these aspiring athletes seek to obtain qualifications in their respected fields of study as well. Thus emphasising the notion that the competition is a stepping stone, whether its participants sign a professional contract with a respected union, or opt to seek employment with their respected qualification under the belt.