Senior Sports Manager: Rugby
Jaco Swanepoel

T: +27 51 401 3483
C: +27 78 800 5486
E: swanepoeljj@ufs.ac.za

Callie Human Centre
Room 5A

Rugby at the UFS embodies a standard of excellence with a rich history of producing top-tier talent.

Rugby now
Jandre Nel, the Shimla scrumhalf, recently (June 2024) represented the USSA 7’s rugby team at the 2024 FISU World University Rugby Sevens Championship in France, facing off against teams such as Argentina, Poland, Spain, and Singapore.

Another Shimla player, Vice Hofmeyer, earned a spot in the SA Under-20 Junior Springbok squad.

Exciting news for women's rugby at the UFS too! They will be making their mark in the 2024 USSA 10’s tournament after being introduced in 2023.

Excellence
The UFS has been a breeding ground for rugby excellence. Seventy-three of its players wore the Springbok jersey and 27 join the ranks of the Blitzboks. Their skills were developed on these grounds, and they have carried the UFS legacy far and wide – from traditional scrums to sevens rugby.

The UFS Shimlas has exemplified excellence by winning the Varsity Cup title both in 2015 and 2024. Their determination and precision in every tackle and pass defined these championships, showcasing KovsieRugby at its finest.

Facilities
Shimla Park serves as the central hub for rugby at the UFS, featuring floodlights for nighttime matches and a well-maintained grass field for games and training. In addition to Shimla Park, there are four other rugby fields at the university that support the sport, providing ample space for practise and competition.

"If you ever tasted significance, you will never be satisfied with success. 
- John Maxwell