Since its creation back in 2008, Varsity Rugby has reintroduced a generation back into the beauty of the rugby culture, both on the field and in the stands.
There is the game day tradition of the noticeable pink shorts, a social awareness initiative that is aimed at bringing awareness to violence against women and encourages both men and women to speak out about violence. At the beginning of the season, each captain wears the shorts but once the tournament commences, the man of the match from the previous week has the honour. Combine this with the familiar catchphrase of “Rugby that Rocks”, it is a clear example of the deep sense of pride embedded in university rugby tradition as well as being an essential part of the South African rugby system.
Whether you are donning the maroon for the Stellenbosch Maties or the traditional white and blue stripes of the UCT Ikey Tigers, Varsity Rugby has become fundamental in the development of players who are hoping to break in the higher level teams of the Currie Cup and hopefully continue moving up the ranks.
Apart from giving players the opportunity to play televised rugby in front of large crowds of enthusiastic fans, the most important advantage to Varsity Rugby is that it elevates highly talented youngsters into a position that allows for them to be seen by the “right” people.
Due to the ever growing amount of talent being discovered and groomed in schools around the country, too often players with immense amount of potential fall through the cracks. Universities are now providing the safety net for these players and allowing them a fair shot to prove their worth.
In the latest sweep from University level to the bigger teams, players like Josh Strauss, who use to fill the space of loose forward for Maties, found himself signed to the Lions and now applies his trade for the Glasgow Warriors. UCT utility back Damian de Allende worked his way up from the Western Province side into the Stormers Super Rugby team before receiving his call up into the National squad. Lions flanker Jaco Kriel can thank the University of Johannesburg for his opportunity to shine. Juan de Jongh, who has secured the centre position for both Western Province and the Stormers, previously lent his talents to Maties and has the title of the first Varsity Rugby player to be selected for the Springboks.
Springbok Oupa Mohoje, who was named the Varsity Cup player of the tournament in 2013 while representing Shimlas, has his own university coach to thank for his advancement in his career. Plagued with continuous injuries, Mohoje was close to quitting the game completely in 2012. But the wise words and continuing support from his coach, Mohoje went on the become the first black player to captain the Shimlas as well as being named the Free State club player of the year in 2013.
In the 2014 Currie Cup final between Western Province and the Lions, 29 of the 44 players selected for both teams combined were products of the Varsity Rugby system, an obvious indication that the winning formula has been found at a university level.
Varsity Rugby has become part of the university experience. As a recent graduate from Stellenbosch University, Monday night rugby was always an opportunity to witness the young talent hiding in every university across the country. The gap between high school rugby and domestic rugby has finally been bridged by allowing rising talents to add to their credentials and remain in the spotlight. The rugby system within South Africa will only grow as more players are being discovered at a younger age, an age when they can be moulded into rugby superstars.
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