The FNB UCT Ikeys and FNB Maties will contest the 500th FNB Varsity Cup match in Cape Town on Monday.
Here's all you need to know before the big clash!
• Eleven different varsities have competed in the FNB Varsity Cup since the inaugural season in 2008 (CUT Ixias, Madibaz, Maties, NWU Eagles, TUT Vikings, UCT Ikeys, UFS Shimlas, UJ, UP-Tuks, UWC, Wits).
• The first-ever FNB Varsity Cup match was played between the FNB UCT Ikeys and FNB NWU Pukke (now known as the Eagles) in Cape Town on 18 February 2008, which ended in a 23-17 victory for the visitors.
• The first FNB Varsity Cup point was scored by Corné Meyer of FNB NWU Pukke, who kicked a penalty against the FNB UCT Ikeys on 18 February 2008.
• The first FNB Varsity Cup try was scored by Marcello Sampson for the FNB UCT Ikeys against FNB NWU Pukke on 18 February 2008.
• The first FNB Varsity Cup hat-trick was scored by Marvin Christians for the FNB UCT Ikeys against FNB UP-Tuks on 25 February 2008.
• The first team to score two hat-tricks in one FNB Varsity Cup match was the FNB UCT Ikeys against FNB UFS-Shimlas on 28 March 2011, when Therlow Pietersen and Pete Haw each scored three tries.
• The first FNB Varsity Cup drop goal was kicked by Danie Opperman for the FNB TUT Vikings against the FNB NWU Eagles on 23 February 2008.
• FNB Maties will be playing their 128th FNB Varsity Cup match, which is the most by any team in the competition.
• FNB Maties have played in nine FNB Varsity Cup finals, which is the most finals appearances by a team.
• FNB Maties have won five FNB Varsity Cup titles which is the most by a team.
• The record for most points scored by a team in an FNB Varsity Cup match is held by FNB UP-Tuks, who scored 100 points against the FNB UCT Ikeys in 2016 and against the FNB CUT Ixias in 2017.
• The record for most tries scored by a team in an FNB Varsity Cup match is 14, achieved by FNB UJ against the FNB Madibaz in 2010 and by FNB UP-Tuks against the FNB CUT Ixias in 2017.
• The longest winning streak in FNB Varsity Cup history is 17 games by FNB Maties between 2 April 2018 and 9 March 2020.
• Niel Oelofse made 44 appearances for FNB Maties, making him the most capped player in FNB Varsity Cup history.
• Tinus de Beer scored 230 points for FNB UP-Tuks, making him the top point-scorer in FNB Varsity Cup history.
• Edwill van der Merwe scored 23 tries for FNB Maties, making him the top try-scorer in FNB Varsity Cup history.
• The record for the most points scored in an FNB Varsity Cup match is held by Gerrit Smith, who scored 40 points for the FNB Madibaz against the FNB TUT Vikings in 2012.
• The record for most tries scored in an FNB Varsity Cup match is held by Duhan van der Merwe, who scored six tries for FNB UP-Tuks against the FNB UCT Ikeys in 2016.
• Chris Smit, Niel Oelofse and Remu Malan each played in four FNB Varsity Cup finals for FNB Maties, which is the most final appearances by a player.
• Hugo van As is the most experienced head coach in FNB Varsity Cup history, taking charge of his 91st FNB Varsity Cup match on Monday when FNB Wits play against FNB UP-Tuks. He coached UJ in 45 matches between 2008 and 2013, and he has coached FNB Wits since 2017.
• The most successful head coach in FNB Varsity Cup history is Chean Roux, who won three titles with FNB Maties between 2008 and 2010.
• Chean Roux (FNB Maties), Hawies Fourie (FNB Maties) and Nollis Marias (FNB UP-Tuks) each coached in four FNB Varsity Cup finals, which is the most by a head coach.
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