SPU’s Gemmies make doubly sure they’re headed to Varsity Shield

Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Rugby First Team has etched its name into history by securing a place in the prestigious 2025 Varsity Shield League for the first time.

This milestone follows back-to-back victories over Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), with the latest win on Monday, September 2, where the Gemmies sealed a hard-fought 20-17 win.

However, SPU didn’t just beat TUT once to qualify for the Varsity Shield – they had to beat them twice. After SPU’s initial triumph over TUT on August 12, which secured their place in the tournament, TUT lodged a formal complaint, claiming that SPU had fielded an ineligible player, giving them an unfair advantage.

So why was there a rematch?

Here’s the catch: before that first game, SPU submitted a list of all their players to an independent auditing company responsible for verifying player eligibility. The auditors cleared all players, giving the green light for the match to proceed. After receiving this approval, SPU went on to defeat TUT fair and square.

Following their loss, TUT filed a protest, and upon review, it was determined that the auditors had made an error with one of the players’ eligibility. In the interest of fairness and ensuring that the correct outcome was reached, both teams agreed to a rematch, again after all player names were confirmed.

In this second encounter, SPU once again emerged victorious, proving their dominance over TUT with another win, officially securing their undisputed place in the 2025 Varsity Shield League. Their perseverance through both matches underscored their determination to succeed, regardless of the obstacles they faced.

To commemorate this historic achievement, SPU held a celebratory event on Friday, September 6. During the event, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Andrew Crouch, expressed immense pride in the team’s journey. “Sport plays a vital role in development and unites communities. We have the talent to go all the way in the Varsity Cup, and we’ll support you every step of the way,” he told the team.

Drawing a powerful analogy, Prof. Crouch likened the team to the gemsbok, a resilient symbol of the Northern Cape. Just as the gemsbok thrives in the region’s harsh conditions, the SPU Gemmies have shown exceptional endurance, athleticism, and teamwork to conquer challenges and exceed expectations.

SPU vice-captain TJ Madjiet emphasised the team’s camaraderie, comparing their strength to the gemsbok's gregarious nature: “Teamwork made our dream work. We’re more than just a team; we’re a family, supported by our management, coaches, and the entire SPU community.”

The significance of this achievement was also acknowledged by SPU’s Dean of Student Affairs, Ms. Nicole Morris who said, “You took up the challenge and made us all proud. As the first team to reach this milestone and qualify for the Varsity Shield, this will go down in the university’s history books.

“The next stage will require a different mindset, strategy, and commitment, but know that we are behind you every step of the way,” Morris added.

This victory not only marks a proud moment for SPU but also serves as a triumph for Kimberley and the Northern Cape province. Many sceptics doubted whether such a young university could achieve such heights in rugby, but the Gemmies have proven that with perseverance, belief, and teamwork, anything is possible.

As the SPU community revels in this remarkable achievement, all eyes are on the team’s future in the 2025 Varsity Shield. The entire university and broader community eagerly await what comes next for the determined and resilient Gemmies, who have already made history and are primed for even greater success.