FNB Varsity Cup semi-final and relegation permutations

The final round robin matches of FNB Varsity Cup 2025 are upon us, bringing decisive clashes that will shape the road to the semi-finals and the battle for top-flight survival. By the end of round 7 the top four teams will secure their spots in the semi-finals, edging closer to championship glory. Meanwhile, there are three teams in the relegation hot seat with the Ixias, Orange Army and Witsies all looking to avoid automatic relegation by finishing bottom of the log or finishing in 7th and having to go into a relegation playoff against FNB Madibaz on 5th May to determine their fate.

Here are the most crucial outcomes that will determine the semi-final positions and who will host:

• UP-Tuks and Maties are already guaranteed semi-final spots regardless of Round 7 results.

• UCT Ikeys are in a strong position on 21 points. They qualify for the semi-finals with:

  • A win or draw, or

  • A losing bonus point (if they lose by 7 or fewer), or

  • A try bonus point (if they score 4+ tries in a loss)

• Shimlas, currently on 17 points, must win to stay in contention.

  • A win puts them on 21 or 22 points and into the top 4 (depending on bonus points).

  • A draw only brings them to 19 points, this is not enough if NWU wins their match.

• NWU, currently on 16 points, must win to have a chance:

  • A win with no bonus puts them on 20 points, enough to leapfrog Shimlas if Shimlas don’t win.

  • A win with a bonus point moves them to 21 points, potentially even overtaking UCT if UCT loses without any points.

  • If Shimlas win and UCT gets a point, NWU is out regardless of their result.

• If all three (UCT, Shimlas, NWU) end up tied on 21 or 22 points, the final semi-final spot(s) will be decided by point difference:

  • NWU and UCT are in a strong position with +77 and +75

  • Shimlas are at a disadvantage with -22, so they would likely lose a tie-breaker.

• Shimlas drawing and NWU winning is a particularly important scenario:

  • Shimlas finished on 19 points, NWU on 20 or 21.

  • In this case, NWU qualifies and Shimlas are eliminated.

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FNB Varsity Cup Relegation Permutation Summary

• WITS, currently on 5 points, are in 8th and in the automatic relegation zone. To survive, they must:

  • Win their final match (vs Maties), a tough task against a top team.

  • A bonus-point loss or draw is unlikely to be enough unless other teams lose badly.

  • Even if WITS wins, survival depends on how UJ and CUT perform.

  
  

• UJ, currently on 8 points, sit in 7th, which would put them in the relegation playoff if the log stays as is.

  • A win vs UCT would take them to 12 points and almost certainly secure 6th place, keeping them safe.

  • A loss, especially without bonus points, could allow WITS to overtake them if WITS win.

  • Bonus points could be crucial if teams end on equal points, UJ has a better point difference than WITS, but worse than CUT.

    
    

• CUT, currently on 11 points, are in 6th and relatively safe but not immune:

  • A loss vs NWU keeps them at 11 points.

  • If UJ wins and CUT loses, UJ moves to 12 and CUT drops to 7th (relegation playoff).

  • If WITS wins and CUT and UJ both lose badly, CUT could mathematically drop to 7th depending on bonus points and point difference but this is less likely.

  
  

• Point difference will be the tie-breaker if teams finish on equal points:

  • CUT: -72

  • UJ: -85

  • WITS: -132

  • This gives CUT an edge, and puts WITS at a major disadvantage in any tie.

Don't miss the round 7 action to find out who advances to the semi's and who faces relegation!

FIXTURES AND LOG HERE.