Defending champs UCT eye historic double as Emeris joins Varsity Cup elite

South Africa’s premier student rugby platforms are back to showcase the next generation of elite talent.

With a legacy of producing 61 Springboks, the Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield return this February, posing a singular question to the sporting world: "Who’s NXT?"

THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

The Varsity Shield kicks off on Friday, 13 February 2026, followed quickly by the Varsity Cup opening round on Monday, 16 February. This year’s theme, “Who’s NXT?”, bridges the gap between the tournament's storied history and the unwritten future of its participants.

FNB Varsity Cup co-founder and CEO Francois Pienaar believes the theme captures the tournament's core mission.

“Varsity Cup has always been about opportunity and giving young players the platform to test themselves. It is about helping them grow and dream bigger,” says Pienaar. “Every great rugby story starts somewhere. For many, that journey begins with the ‘Rugby That Rocks.’”

UCT’S QUEST FOR BACK-TO-BACK GLORY

All eyes will be on defending champions UCT, who return to the pitch after a dramatic final victory over FNB Maties. Head coach Robbie Fleck attributes their success to a distinct philosophy, often referred to as "The Ikey Way."

Despite losing several key veterans to the professional ranks, Fleck is pushing his squad toward a historic milestone. “We would like to go back-to-back and be the first UCT team to ever achieve that,” Fleck noted. “Our campaign this year is to be braver in everything we do. A braver UCT team is an even more dangerous one.”

THE NEWCOMERS: EMERIS STEPS UP

Transitioning from the Shield to the top-tier Cup competition is Varsity College, now competing under the new Emeris brand name.

Their promotion follows a meteoric rise, having lifted the Varsity Shield trophy in only their second season.
Malcolm Kennedy,  Emeris Club Manager, views the promotion as a validation of their institutional foundations.

Head Coach Jeremy McLaren shared the excitement of being the "newbies" in one of South Africa’s toughest competitions. “We’re history makers and very excited to be part of it,” McLaren stated. “It means a lot to put our university on the map.”