Rugby betting fans will be thrilled about the start of this years Varsity Cup Rugby tournament this month. The Varsity Cup is a collective term for four individual rugby tournaments, mainly the FNB Varsity Cup, the FNB Varsity Shield, the FNB Young Guns and the Koshuis Rugby Championships. This years competition starts on 29 January and runs till the final on 16 April 2018.
32 Springboks have come through the FNB Varsity Cup programme since its inception in 2008
Varsity Cup Betting Odds
| Team | (Odds) | Team | (Odds) | Venue | |
| FNB Maties | (1/4) | v | FNB NWU | (28/10) | Danie Craven Stadium |
View the latest Varsity Cup Betting Odds
This is the 11th season of the Varsity Cup. Over this period 5 teams have lifted the trophy.Please note betting odds quoted are subject to change.
- FNB Maties (3)
- FNB Ikeys (2)
- FNB Tuks (3)
- UFS Shimlas (2)
- FNB Pukke (1)
Below we look at the Varsity Cup Rugby teams playing in 2018 and who you should place your bets on:
Varsity Cup Preview
FNB Tuks– The current FNB Varsity Cup champions will be one of the favourites heading into this years competition. Tuks only lost one game last season and have won the tournament in 2012 and 2013. Lead by new Captain, Denzel Hill, they will be looking to get off to a good start and carry that momentum throughout the tournament.
Captaining teams is nothing new to Hill. He captained the Blue Bulls under-21 team. He admits being the leader comes with responsibilities.
FNB Maties– Last year’s runner up will be looking to go one better this year and win the tournament. Maties have consistently been one of the best teams in the tournament. In the 10 years of the Varsity Cup, Maties have contested 7 finals, winning 3 of them.
Betting odds for outright Varsity Cup win: 9/20
FNB Shimlas– The 2015 champions narrowly lost out to a spot in the final last year with a 28-21 loss to eventual champions, Tuks. A strong experienced squad will hope to regain the form that got them into the final in 2015.
Current rugby betting odds: 100/1
FNB Ikeys– The 2014 Champions had a nightmare season in 2017 winning just two games. The squad is talented, but they will need to improve in all aspects of their game if they wish to make the play-offs.
Current rugby betting odds : 50/1
FNB NWU Pukke– The 2016 champions and runners up in 2015 and 2014. The NWU Pukke had a poor season last year, after they lost many experienced players, and failed to reach the playoffs. Never the less Pukke have consistently been one of the on-form teams in the competition and with a more experienced and settled squad this year, they will be a threat for the title.
Current rugby betting odds to win the Varsity Cup: 4/1
FNB Wits–Promoted to the Varsity Cup last year, the Johannesburg side finished in a respectable 5th place on last year’s log. The squad is now a bit more experienced with a sprinkling of some youthful exuberance which could see them performing more competitively this year.
Current rugby betting odds : 20/1
FNB UJ– The FNB UJ side will kick off its “#MakeTheTeam” campaign with a home game against last years runner’s up, Maties. UJ have yet to reach the final of the Varsity Cup losing in the semi final in 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012 and 2011 . A strong team with a winning heart who just need to get over the last hurdle. A strong squad. 2018 just might be their year.
Current betting odds of 5/1 to win the Varsity Cup.
FNB NMMU– have had their moments in the Varsity Cup, reaching the semi finals in 2013 and 2014, but have yet to produce a championship side.
FNB CUT– A side that has moments of brilliance but cant seem to consistently match the top teams in the Varsity Cup. Last year they failed to win a single game. This year they will have to produce some exceptional rugby to compete with the rest of the sides
Please note betting odds quoted are correct at time of publication and are subject to change. View the latest Varsity Cup Betting Odds.
New Law- the Power Play
A new law innovation called the Power Play will be introduced this year. When the Power Play is called a team can eliminate any two nominated backline players from the opposition for a total palying time of three minutes.
The Power Play can only be called by a team while in their own half, must be called by the captain and can only be called once. If the team whose players have been removed score a try during the Power Play period, they will be awarded an extra two points (seven points before the conversion).
Please note betting odds quoted are correct at time of publication and are subject to change. View the latest Varsity Cup Betting Odds.
Varsity Cup Fixtures
Download the full fixture list: Varsity Cup 2018 Fixture list
Varsity Cup Log
Place your Varsity Cup Rugby bets today
For specialized and comprehensive local and international online rugby betting including Super Rugby, Currie Cup, Six Nations and Varsity Cup either in house and/or through our online sports betting facilities, visit Keith Ho BetXchange for the most competitive prices and the largest rugby betting options available in South Africa.
