The 2026 Varsity Cup will kick off with a highly competitive opening fixture, with previous seasons having delivered drama, late winners and high scores. On Monday 16 February, the FNB NWU Eagles will take on the CUT Ixias in Bloemfontein in a clash that has become a seasonal highlight.

The Eagles will face a determined CUT side eager to bounce back after their crushing 117-19 defeat at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom in 2025.

The CUT Ixias’ home ground is a famous fortress where title ambitions die; however, history favours the visitors. The Eagles made a statement with a 33-14 victory in 2023, followed by a 53-46 triumph in 2024, thus cementing their dominance in the Free State.

Having won two matches at the CUT stadium in recent years, the Eagles will enter this year’s campaign full of confidence. However, playing an opening match on a Monday comes with a great deal of pressure. Coach Burger van der Westhuizen said that the Eagles will go to Bloemfontein and do what they have to do.

“This will be a tough encounter. CUT are extremely dangerous in the way they play. They are in top form at the moment, so we will need to be firing on all cylinders. There is no expectation of going to Bloemfontein and getting a win, but the most important thing is to be ready to compete.”

CUT’s physicality and distinctive style of play have turned this fixture into a blockbuster, prompting questions about the tactical adjustments needed to control the tempo of the game.

“They play a high-risk game that we need to be prepared for. We have systems in place, and are proud of our processes; we just need them to work,” added van der Westhuizen.

In Bloemfontein, getting off to a good start can make the difference between controlling the game and being overwhelmed by the home crowd.

“It is crucial to start well. We need to do our best and set the pace and tempo of the game, picking it up and slowing it down as necessary. The crowd at CUT is tough; they make a lot of noise and are as important to the home team as any crowd in the Varsity Cup. We need to block them out, get into the zone, and play as if our lives depended on it,” said Burger.

As attention turns to Monday’s action-packed battle, the focus is on performance, progress and taking a decisive step forward.

“We want to leave Bloemfontein having played to the best of our ability. If we can win, it would be a huge step forward in the process we are building.”