The Varsity Cup returns on Monday the 17th of February and we take a look at the betting on all four matches.
Note: Bets will be added to this article throughout the day as more markets become available so be sure to bookmark it and return later
The Shimlas will be looking to defend their title which they won when they defeated UCT 45-42 in a thrilling Final in Bloemfontein last year. They face a tricky opening encounter away to the Maties.
Week 1 of the Varsity cup is always a tough one as unlike other rugby competitions there is a huge amount of player turnover with some players from last season too old to compete, having failed their exams, graduated or moved universities.
For that reason a conservative approach to betting is advised.
UCT IKEYS v MWU EAGLES – Click here to bet
NOTE: This game was postponed until today (Tuesday) and will be played behind closed doors.
UCT have lost in the last two finals of this competition. Last season they made it into the final, finishing in 4th position with 4 wins, 2 losses and a draw and they then beat NWU 32-18 on the road in the semi-final before going down 45-42 to Shimlas also away from home.
NWU topped the table with 6 wins and 1 loss in 2024 before going down to the Ikeys in the semi-final.
The semi-final win by UCT last year broke a 3-match losing streak against NWU.
HANDICAP: UCT Ikeys (-7.5)
Back the Bulls to win any of their games in 80 Mins and get 5% of your stake back as a Free Bet for every Try they score!
Important Details:
Pre-Match events only. T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R5000.
Valid for bets taken before the start of each Bulls game
How to Claim:
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘Bulls Try Promo’ to claim your voucher
MATIES v SHIMLAS – Click here to bet
Maties finished 2nd on the log last season with 6 wins and 1 loss, but they were beaten by the Shimlas at the semi-final stage, going down 24-38 in Stellenbosch.
The Shimlas finished 3rd on the log with 5 wins and 2 losses and after beating the Maties in the semi-final, they beat UCT 45-42 to take the trophy.
Maties had beaten the Shimlas 38-29 in the regular season match last year, but Shimlas have now won on their last two visits to Stellenbosch.
HANDICAP: Maties (-7.5)
UJ v CUT – Click here to bet
Neither of these sides made the playoffs last season with UJ finishing 7th on the log with 2 wins and 5 losses behind CUT, who had exactly the same record, on points difference.
CUT hosted UJ last season beating them 23-19 and in 2023 in this fixture they stunned the hosts 54-12.
HANDICAP: UJ (-15.5)
WITS v TUKS – Click here to bet
This is one of the fixtures I am really looking forward to and I am a bit disappointed that it is not the televised match.
Wits finished 5th last season, 9 points adrift of the playoffs with 2 wins , 4 losses and a draw.
Tuks had been relegated to the Varsity Shield in 2023, but they stormed back emphatically dominating the Shield to book their place back in the Varsity Cup itself.
These sides last met in 2023 when Wits hosted Tuks and won 33-21 and in all 7 Varsity Cup matches between the sides, the home team has won on each occasion.
HANDICAP: Wits (-3.5)
1st Bet: Tuks to win at 13/10
I think being relegated was a real scare for Tuks and I expect the problems to have been addressed and for them to come out firing.
2nd Bet: CUT +15.5 v UJ at 17/20
Conditions will be less than ideal and I think CUT can push UJ once again
3rd Bet: NWU/IKEYS Halftime/Fulltime at 5/1
I don’t fancy anything strong in this game so a speculative play that the home team come from behind at the break to win
4th Bet: Shimlas to beat Maties at 3/1
The price seems too big on the defending champions who have had Maties number of late
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
