We see a North-South battle, a trans-Drakensberg derby, Joburg’s best versus Limpopo’s finest and last year’s Varsity Football final in Round 1.
Varsity Football kicks off again with a banger opening round, which will see the best of South Africa’s university football teams battling it out for the coveted trophy.
NWU v UWC
The men from the North West will be reeling after missing out on a semi-final berth last season. After losing to the eventual finalists TUT, NWU will want to prove to the rest of South Africa that Mafikeng didn’t raise no quitters. While, UWC will want to build off a strong 2017 season where they reached the semi-final but were knocked out by the plucky UP-Tuks side in a game 3-1.
NWU will take on UWC at 16:00 on 26 July at the Mafikeng Stadium.
Tuks v TUT
It will be a repeat of the 2017 final in the Tshwane derby. Tuks were able to sneak past TUT, who were unbeaten before the final, through Simbongile Njokwe and Odwa Makha goals. TUT will want to prove who really runs Pretoria in front of Tuks’ fans. TUT have had two consecutive seasons where they were unbeaten in the round robin stages, and will want to continue that form with an early win against Tuks.
Tuks will host TUT at 18:15 on 26 July at Tuks Stadium.
UL v UJ
UL are back in Varsity Football after promotion, and will be eager to show the Orange Army that there is thriving football North of the Gauteng border. UJ will need to use the opportunity to set a precedent after a disappointing season in 2017. UJ won just three games last season, albeit, in dramatic fashion after punishing UFH and Wits, while scraping past eventual champions Tuks. A big win over the UL will send a threatening message to their competitors.
UJ plays UL at 18:30 on 26 July at UJ Stadium (Soweto Campus).
UKZN v Wits
After their promotion into Varsity Football, UKZN will kick off their Varsity Football campaign with a victory when they host Wits. Considering Wits’ form last season, where the men from Johannesburg were only able to record two victories, it will be an ideal opportunity for UKZN to ambush the visitors for their maiden win.
UKZN will play their first ever Varsity Football game when they host Wits at 18:30 on 26 July Howard College Rugby Stadium.
For the rest of the fixtures of the upcoming season click here.
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