KwaZulu-Natal rugby supporters will be hoping for an improved showing from UKZN Impi after a disappointing campaign last season. Head coach Nassen Abrahams said the team have returned to training and is optimistic about a stronger performance this year. “It’s still early, but we’re back in training and working hard to get ourselves right,” Abrahams said.
“We are hopeful that by the time the season starts in a few weeks, we will be fully prepared and ready to compete.” According to details released by the organisers and title sponsor FNB, the 2026 season is expected to deliver another showcase of exciting rugby and emerging talent. Branded once again as Rugby That Rocks, the Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield will continue to shine a spotlight on South Africa’s most promising student players. The FNB Varsity Shield kicks off on February 13, followed by the opening round of the FNB Varsity Cup on February 16.
From the first whistle, fans can expect fast-paced rugby and a vibrant campus atmosphere. The Varsity Cup and Shield remain among the clearest pathways in South African rugby. To date, 61 former Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield players have gone on to represent the Springboks, with each season adding new names to that list.
Read Full Article on The Witness
[paywall]
The 2026 theme, “Who’s NXT?”, links the proud legacy of Varsity Rugby with the next generation of players yet to make their mark. FNB Varsity Cup co-founder and chief executive Francois Pienaar said the theme reflects what Varsity Rugby has always stood for. “Varsity Cup has always been about opportunity and giving young players a platform to test themselves,” Pienaar said.
“It’s about helping them grow and dream bigger. When we ask ‘Who’s NXT?’, we celebrate the journey from student rugby to the highest level of the game. We want to inspire the next generation to step forward with courage and embrace the challenge ahead, believing that every great rugby story starts somewhere.” As the season unfolds, fans will be invited to ask and answer the questions — Who’s NXT to inspire?
Who’s NXT to lead? Who’s NXT to win?
[/paywall]
