Varsities rule ... or do they?

The Varsity Cup champions, the University of Cape Town, underlined the strength of the university game in South Africa by beating Community Cup champions Rustenburg Impala in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday.

The Ikeys (UCT) are currently on a pre-season camp in Johannesburg, ahead of the start of the Varsity Cup next month, and handed Impala a 33-7 defeat.

Community Cup Champions Impala are also out to defend their title in the competition for SA's top open clubs – also starting February.

The dominance of university teams in South Africa is obvious when you look at the top leagues around the country.

Maties walked off with the Western Province Super League A title last year, which saw UCT finish second ahead of Hamiltons.

Two-time Varsity Cup champions UP-Tuks continued their dominance in Pretoria by claiming the Blue Bulls Carlton Cup once more, after finishing the league phase in second place behind Pretoria Police.

UFS-Shimlas won the Free State First League with their Under-23 side in second and their second team the Irawas in fourth, whilst Varsity Cup newcomers CUT Ixias were fifth.

In Johannesburg UJ finished the Golden Lions Pirates Grand Challenge in third behind Raiders and Wanderers, and Varsity Shield outfit Wits were fifth.

The NMMU Madibaz ended second in EP Grand Challenge to 2013 Community Cup champions Despatch, whilst Fort Hare were third in the Border Super League and Varsity Shield runners-up UKZN finished seventh in KZN Moor Cup.

By Michael De Vries

@smalldbigV

@rugby365com