UP Tuks and UCT Ikeys will meet in the 2021 Varsity Cup final scheduled to kick off at 19:00 on Monday night in Pretoria. Strong performances from both sides in the semi-finals saw them topple Maties and Pukke respectively in what was an immensely competitive season.
In the first semi-final, UCT Ikeys knocked out the NWU Eagles 54 - 36 in a fast paced game that saw the tigers score 8 tries. Whilst semi-final 2 saw last years finalists, Maties and Tuks battle it out to the death, with Tuks eventually pipping their rivals 44-35 and taking revenge for their loss in the final in 2019.
Tuks fullback, Zander Du Plessis snapped up the record for most points scored in a Varsity Cup season when he brought his tally up to 145 with his 4 conversions and 3 penalties and earned himself man of the match to boot. Du Plessis usurped the record from Demetri Katrikilis who had scored 136 points during the 2012 season. With Tuks making the final, he is expected to further add to his record as he hopes to guide his die to the title.
UCT Ikeys are into the final for the first time since 2014 as they chase their 3rd Varsity Cup title. Whilst Tuks are in their second consecutive final after previously facing Maties in 2019. Tuks are chasing their 4th trophy in a repeat of the 2011 final which was won by UCT.
In the last 10 clashes between the sides, Tuks have won 6 (3 home & 3 away), whilst UCT have won 3 (1 home & 2 away) with one draw. Monday night presents the perfect clash between the sides and with all to play for, statistics will matter little on their way to Varsity Cup glory.