The Varsity Cup continues on Monday with teams playing their 5th matches and we take a look at all four fixtures from a betting angle.
WITS v UJ – Click here to bet
This is a crucial fixture as these sides currently sit 7th and 8th on the log and the loser will have a battle on their hands to avoid relegation.
Wits have lost all 4 of their games and last week were hammered 73-17 away to UCT. Their best performance came two weeks ago at home to NWU Eagles where they lost 39-34. Their other home game was a 35-8 defeat to Tuks in Week 1.
UJ were well beaten by Maties 25-7 at home last week and the week before they pushed Shimlas to within 4 points on the road and their other away game was an 8 point defeat to Tuks in Week 2.
Head-to-Head
UJ beat Wits 49-26 at home last season and last time that Wits hosted in 2023 the match finished 35-33 to the home team.
Handicap: Wits [-2.5] at 1.85
MATIES v UCT – Click here to bet
Maties are top of the log and have a 100% record after 4 matches. They beat UJ 25-7 on the road last week and their last home game was a 54-0 demolishing of CUT.
UCT have moved up to 3rd on the table with 3 victories and 1 defeat. Last week they were far too strong for Wits beating them by 56 points at home and their only away game of the season was a 4 point loss to CUT in Week 2.
Head-to-Head
Last season Maties beat UCT by 5 points in a low scoring match in Cape Town and the last time Maties hosted in 2023 they won 21-19.
Handicap: Maties [-9.5] at 1.85
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SHIMLAS v CUT – Click here to bet
Shimlas are currently 4th on the log with 2 victories and 2 defeats in their opening four games. They started strongly, but were well beaten 59-14 away to the Eagles last week and their last home game was a high scoring 49-45 win over UJ. All four of Shimlas matches have had 70 points or more in them.
CUT are currently 6th on the table on 5 points despite having 2 victories and that is due to points being deducted for fielding an ineligible player. Their last 2 games have been poor and they were hammered 63-26 at home by Tuks last week and the week before that they were beaten 54-0 by Maties.
Head-to-Head
Shimlas beat CUT 59-40 on the road last season and in 2023 they won this fixture 68-36
Handicap: Shimlas [-18.5] at 1.95
TUKS v NWU EAGLES – Click here to bet
Tuks are currently 2nd on the table and in playoff contention in their first season back in the Varsity Cup. They have won 3 of 4 matches and in their last start were too strong for CUT winning 63-26 on the road. At home this season they have just had the one match and that was a 37-29 victory over UJ.
The Eagles turned in their best performance of the season to beat Shimlas 59-14 at home and that result leaves them in 5th on the table with 2 wins and 2 losses. Away from home they edged Wits by 5 points in a high scoring encounter and lost by 9 points to UCT in Week 1.
Head-to-Head
The Eagles beat Tuks 26-22 in 2023 in Pretoria in their last meeting.
Handicap: Tuks [-0.5] at 1.90
Bets will be placed in the lead up to kick off, but there is one that I fancy early on so let’s get that out right away.
BET 1 – Shimlas [-18.5] v CUT at 1.95
The Shimlas are coming off a poor performance against the Eagles, but CUT have lost their last 2 games by 37 and 54 points respectively. The last time Shimlas hosted CUT in 2023 they won by 32 points and given CUT’s current form I can see a big victory for the home team.
BET 2 – UJ win at 2.20
Based on their form this season there is not much between the sides but Wits big loss in Cape Town is a major red flag.
Bet 3 – Under 68.5 points Maties v UCT
It feels risky going unders in this competition but these derbies can be tight affairs and the last 3 total points when Maties have hosted reads 40, 15 and 47
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
