UCT  are through to their fourth consecutive final after defeating UP-Tuks at Tuks Stadium with a decisive performance while Maties earned a hard-fought victory over defending champions UFS Shimlas at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

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The Ikey Tigers picked up their second win over the the Stripe Generation this season while the Maroon Machine avenged their loss to the Shimlas in last year’s semi-finals.

The Cape sides will face off on Monday, 14 April in the Varsity Cup final at the Danie Craven Stadium.

 UP-Tuks 35-48 UCT Ikeys

UCT Ikeys completed the double on UP-Tuks to book their place in the final with a thrilling 48-35 triumph at Tuks Stadium on Monday.

The Ikeys started off hot with back-to-back tries to cement their dominance in the opening 10 minutes courtesy of Thomas Nel and Luke Burger.

A brilliant piece of play from Nel registered the first points on the board before Burger powered over to double the lead.

Tuks responded with three points from Jandre Burger to reduce the deficit to just eight points.

With the intensity rising, every point mattered for both sides, which saw both adding a combined nine more points, six from the visitors and three for the Stripe Generation.

Both sides were then reduced to 14-men and UCT capitalised with a try from Xola Nyali.

MJ Nel powered over following a powerful maul from UCT 22-metre line saw the Tuks Stadium erupt and UCT take a 15-point lead at the break.

The half-time talk from Tuks proved fruitful as they returned with a try following an astonishing break from Kamohelo Tlome who set up Andile Myeni for the host’s second try of the night.

However, an immediate response from the visitors saw Nel dot down to complete his brace.

Keagan Blanckenberg then powered over the line to stretch UCT’s lead.

With Tuks fighting to stay in game, substitute Cayno February flew over the line from another Tuks maul.

UCT already had their name written on a finals spot as they held firm in defence to secure their place in the final despite Tuks adding more points with a try from Bom Louw.

Maties 19-7 UFS Shimlas

In their 150th year, Maties will face arch-rivals Ikey Tigers in the Varsity Cup final after securing a hard-fought 19-7 victory over UFS Shimlas in a tense semi-final at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

With rain halting just before the match, the wet conditions made handling difficult, setting the stage for a low-scoring, tactical battle.

Maties immediately put pressure on the visitors, who struggled with unforced errors throughout.

The home side, led by coach Kabamba Floors, controlled the game with smart tactics, converting pressure into three well-placed penalties by flyhalf Christiaan van Heerden Smith.

Shimlas fought back in the second quarter, intensifying the pressure, especially after Maties were reduced to 13 players due to two yellow cards.

Though they couldn’t capitalise on all their chances, the men from Bloemfontein earned a penalty try, closing the gap to 9-7 at half-time.

After the break, Maties right wing Grant de Jager made his mark, chasing down a kick from Van Heerden Smith to score a point of origin try from his own half.

Despite missing the conversion, Van Heerden Smith added another penalty, making it 19-7.

In a match dominated by forward play, it was De Jager’s opportunistic try and constant threat in attack that stole the show, ensuring Maties’ place in the final.

Maties or UCT Ikeys: Who are you backing in the 2025 Varsity Cup final?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/varsity-cup/maties-to-face-old-foes-uct-ikeys-in-2025-varsity-cup-final/