2018 Varsity Shield
{{Short description|2018 South African rugby competition}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby union season
| name = 2018 Varsity Shield
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| countries = South Africa
| date = 19 February – 9 April 2018
| champions = {{Rut|UWC}}
| count = 2
| runnersup = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| promoted = {{Rut|UWC}}
| relegated =
| matches = 24
| attendance =
| tries = 172
| top point scorer =
| top try scorer =
| prevseason = 2017
| nextseason = 2019
}}
{{2018 in South African rugby union}}
The 2018 Varsity Shield was the 8th season of the Varsity Shield, the second-tier competition in the annual Varsity Rugby series. It was played between 19 February and 9 April 2018 and featured seven university teams.
The competition was won by {{Rut|UWC}}, who beat the {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}} 55–10 in the final played on 9 April 2018, also winning promotion to the 2019 Varsity Cup.
Competition rules and information
There were seven participating university teams in the 2019 Varsity Shield. They played each other once during the pool stage, either at home or away. Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top four teams after the pool stage qualified for the semifinals, which were followed by a final.
Teams
{{Location map+ | South Africa | float=right | width=350 | caption=Location of teams in the 2018 Varsity Shield |places=
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.935050 | long=18.634166 | mark=Blue pog.svg | label={{Rut|CPUT}} | position=right }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.311760 | long=26.516377 | mark=Blue pog.svg | label={{Rut|Rhodes}} | position=left }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-25.734155 | long=28.161387 | mark=Blue pog.svg | label={{Rut|TUT Vikings}} | position=left }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-29.634799 | long=30.401756 | mark=Blue pog.svg | label={{Rut|UKZN Impi}} | position=right }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-32.783353 | long=26.883349 | mark=Blue pog.svg | label={{Rut|UFH Blues}} | position=top }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.934254 | long=18.631960 | mark=Blue pog.svg | label={{Rut|UWC}} | position=left }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.006720 | long=27.907376 | mark=Blue pog.svg | label={{Rut|WSU All Blacks}} | position=right }}
}}
The teams that played in the 2018 Varsity Shield were:
| class="wikitable collapsible sortable" style="text-align:left; width:60%;" | ||
| colspan="100%" align=center | 2018 Varsity Shield teams | ||
|---|---|---|
| width="20%" | Team name
! width="40%" | University ! width="40%" | Stadium | ||
| {{Rut|CPUT}} | Cape Peninsula University of Technology | {{Rus|CPUT Sports Stadium}} |
| {{Rut|Rhodes}} | Rhodes University | {{Rus|Rhodes Great Field}} |
| {{Rut|TUT Vikings}} | Tshwane University of Technology | {{Rus|TUT Stadium}} |
| {{Rut|UFH Blues}} | University of Fort Hare | {{Rus|Davidson Rugby Field}} |
| {{Rut|UKZN Impi}} | University of KwaZulu-Natal | {{Rus|Peter Booysen Sports Park}} |
| {{Rut|UWC}} | University of the Western Cape | {{Rus|UWC Sport Stadium}} |
| {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}} | Walter Sisulu University | {{Rus|Buffalo City Stadium}} |
Pool stage
=Standings=
The final log for the 2018 Varsity Shield was:
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:60%;" | |||||||||||||
| colspan="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" | 2018 Varsity Shield log | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="width:5%;" | Pos
! style="width:35%;" | Team ! style="width:5%;" | P ! style="width:5%;" | W ! style="width:5%;" | D ! style="width:5%;" | L ! style="width:5%;" | PF ! style="width:5%;" | PA ! style="width:5%;" | PD ! style="width:5%;" | TF ! style="width:5%;" | TA ! style="width:5%;" | TB ! style="width:5%;" | LB ! style="width:5%;" | Pts | |||||||||||||
| style="background:#E8FFD8;"
| 1 | style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|UWC}} | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 331 | 86 | +245 | 46 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 30 |
| style="background:#E8FFD8;"
| 2 | style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}} | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 137 | 111 | +26 | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 22 |
| style="background:#E8FFD8;"
| 3 | style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|UKZN Impi}} | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 148 | 140 | +8 | 20 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 17 |
| style="background:#E8FFD8;"
| 4 | style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|TUT Vikings}} | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 118 | 155 | −37 | 16 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| 5 | style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|UFH Blues}} | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 116 | 126 | −10 | 16 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| 6 | style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|CPUT}} | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 149 | 179 | −30 | 19 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| 7 | style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|Rhodes}} | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 55 | 257 | −202 | 9 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" | | |||||||||||||
| colspan="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" | Final standings. |
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:60%;" |
| colspan="100%" style="border:0px" | Legend and competition rules |
|---|
| colspan="100%" | |
| colspan="100%" style="border:0px" | Legend: |
| style="width:5%; background:#E8FFD8" |
| style="width:30%; background:#E8FFD8" | Qualified for the semifinals. | style="width:5%;" | | style="width:60%;" | P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, TB = Try bonus points, LB = Losing bonus points, Pts = Log points |
| colspan="100%" | |
| colspan="100%" style="border:0px" | Competition rules: |
| colspan="100%" | {{smalldiv|1=Qualification:
The top four teams qualified for the semifinals. Points breakdown: |
=Round-by-round=
The table below shows a team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.
| class="wikitable collapsible" style="text-align:center; width:60%; font-size:90%" |
| colspan=100% | Team Progression – 2018 Varsity Shield |
|---|
| style="text-align:left; width:28%;" | Team
! style="width:8%;" | R1 ! style="width:8%;" | R2 ! style="width:8%;" | R3 ! style="width:8%;" | R4 ! style="width:8%;" | R5 ! style="width:8%;" | R6 ! style="width:8%;" | R7 ! style="width:8%;" | SF ! style="width:8%;" | F |
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|UWC}}
| style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 5 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 10 | style="background:#ECECEC;" | 10 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 15 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 20 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 25 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 30 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | Won | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | Won |
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 0 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 5 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 10 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 14 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 18 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 22 | style="background:#ECECEC;" | 22 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | Won | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | Lost |
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|UKZN Impi}}
| style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 4 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 4 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 6 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 11 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 12 | style="background:#ECECEC;" | 12 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 17 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | Lost | {{n/a}} |
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}
| style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 4 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 8 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 12 | style="background:#ECECEC;" | 12 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 12 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 13 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 17 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | Lost | {{n/a}} |
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|UFH Blues}}
| style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 1 | style="background:#ECECEC;" | 1 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 6 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 7 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 11 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 11 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 12 | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|CPUT}}
| style="background:#ECECEC;" | 0 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 1 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 1 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 1 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 2 | style="background:#CCFFCC;" | 7 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 9 | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Rut|Rhodes}}
| style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 0 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 0 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 0 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 0 | style="background:#ECECEC;" | 0 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 0 | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | 0 | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |
| colspan="100%" style="text-align:center; height: 10px;" | |
| Key:
| style="background:#CCFFCC;" | win | style="background:#FFFFCC;" | draw | style="background:#FFCCCC;" | loss | style="background:#ECECEC;" | bye | colspan="100%" | |
=Matches=
The following matches were played in the 2018 Varsity Shield:
==Round one==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 19 February 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|UWC}}
| score = 42–5
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-wsu-blown-away-dominant-fnb-uwc | title=FNB WSU Blown Away by Dominant FNB UWC | work=Varsity Cup | date=19 February 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3620 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 1, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=19 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-1/uwc-vs-wsu-0 | title=UWC vs WSU | work=Varsity Cup | date=19 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| stadium = {{Rus|UWC Sport Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 19 February 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|UFH Blues}}
| score = 18–22
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-ufh-stunned-fnb-ukzn-home | title=FNB UFH stunned by FNB UKZN at home | work=Varsity Cup | date=21 February 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3621 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 2, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=19 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-1/ufh-vs-ukzn | title=UFH vs UKZN | work=Varsity Cup | date=19 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UKZN Impi}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Davidson Rugby Field}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 19 February 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|Rhodes}}
| score = 7–26
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/mpofu-runs-fnb-rhodes-ragged-grahamstown | title=Mpofu runs FNB Rhodes ragged in Grahamstown | work=Varsity Cup | date=21 February 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3622 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 3, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=19 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-1/rhodes-vs-tut | title=Rhodes vs TUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=19 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Rhodes Great Field}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{Rubye|{{Rut|CPUT}}}}
==Round two==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 22 February 2018
| time = 16:45
| home = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| score = 47–16
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-wsu-brush-fnb-rhodes | title=FNB WSU brush off FNB Rhodes | work=Varsity Cup | date=23 February 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3623 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 4, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=22 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-2/wsu-vs-rhodes-0 | title=WSU vs Rhodes | work=Varsity Cup | date=22 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|Rhodes}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Buffalo City Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 22 February 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}
| score = 21–18
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-cput-bow-vikings-pressure | title=FNB CPUT bow to Vikings pressure | work=Varsity Cup | date=23 February 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3624 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 5, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=22 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-2/tut-vs-cput-0 | title=TUT vs CPUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=22 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|CPUT}}
| stadium = {{Rus|TUT Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 22 February 2018
| time = 19:00
| home = {{Rut|UWC}}
| score = 57–16
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-uwc-run-riot-operation-room | title=FNB UWC Run Riot In The Operation Room | work=Varsity Cup | date=23 February 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3625 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 6, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=22 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-2/uwc-vs-ukzn-0 | title=UWC vs UKZN | work=Varsity Cup | date=22 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UKZN Impi}}
| stadium = {{Rus|UWC Sport Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{Rubye|{{Rut|UFH Blues}}}}
==Round three==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 26 February 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|UFH Blues}}
| score = 28–7
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-ufh-bounce-back-against-fnb-rhodes | title=FNB UFH bounce back against FNB Rhodes | work=Varsity Cup | date=26 February 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3626 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 7, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=26 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-3/ufh-vs-rhodes | title=UFH vs Rhodes | work=Varsity Cup | date=26 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|Rhodes}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Davidson Rugby Field}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 26 February 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|UKZN Impi}}
| score = 20–24
| report = Report
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3627 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 8, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=26 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-3/ukzn-vs-tut | title=UKZN vs TUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=26 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Howard College Rugby Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 26 February 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|CPUT}}
| score = 21–38
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-wsu-too-strong-fnb-cput | title=FNB WSU too strong for FNB CPUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=26 February 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3628 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 9, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=26 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-3/cput-vs-wsu | title=CPUT vs WSU | work=Varsity Cup | date=26 February 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| stadium = {{Rus|CPUT Sports Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{Rubye|{{Rut|UWC}}}}
==Round four==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 5 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|CPUT}}
| score = 14–58
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-uwc-run-havoc-wellington | title=FNB UWC run havoc in Wellington | work=Varsity Cup | date=5 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3629 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 10, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=5 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-4/cput-vs-uwc | title=CPUT vs UWC | work=Varsity Cup | date=5 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UWC}}
| stadium = {{Rus|CPUT Sports Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 5 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| score = 20–16
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-wsu-earn-bragging-rights-eastern-cape-derby | title=FNB WSU earn bragging rights in Eastern Cape derby | work=Varsity Cup | date=6 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3630 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 11, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=5 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-4/wsu-vs-ufh | title=WSU vs UFH | work=Varsity Cup | date=5 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UFH Blues}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Buffalo City Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 5 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|Rhodes}}
| score = 0–48
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-ukzn-put-fnb-rhodes-sword | title=FNB UKZN put FNB Rhodes to the sword | work=Varsity Cup | date=5 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3631 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 12, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=5 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-4/rhodes-vs-ukzn | title=Rhodes vs UKZN | work=Varsity Cup | date=5 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UKZN Impi}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Rhodes Great Field}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{Rubye|{{Rut|TUT Vikings}}}}
==Round five==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 12 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}
| score = 18–77
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/resilient-uwc-too-strong-vikings | title=Resilient UWC too strong for Vikings | work=Varsity Cup | date=13 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3632 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 13, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=12 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-5/tut-vs-uwc | title=TUT vs UWC | work=Varsity Cup | date=12 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UWC}}
| stadium = {{Rus|TUT Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 12 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|UFH Blues}}
| score = 18–17
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-ufh-defeat-fnb-cput-thrilling-clash | title=FNB UFH defeat FNB CPUT in a thrilling clash | work=Varsity Cup | date=13 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3633 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 14, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=12 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-5/ufh-vs-cput | title=UFH vs CPUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=12 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|CPUT}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Davidson Rugby Field}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 12 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|UKZN Impi}}
| score = 8–12
| report = Report
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3634 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 15, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=12 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-5/ukzn-vs-wsu | title=UKZN vs WSU | work=Varsity Cup | date=12 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Howard College Rugby Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{Rubye|{{Rut|Rhodes}}}}
==Round six==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 15 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|UWC}}
| score = 39–18
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/history-made-fnb-uwc-are-promoted-varsity-cup | title=History made as FNB UWC are promoted to Varsity Cup | work=Varsity Cup | date=15 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3639 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 16, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=15 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-6/uwc-vs-ufh | title=UWC vs UFH | work=Varsity Cup | date=15 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UFH Blues}}
| stadium = {{Rus|UWC Sport Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 15 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| score = 12–8
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-wsu-host-semi-final-after-edging-fnb-tut | title=FNB WSU to host semi-final after edging FNB TUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=16 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3640 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 17, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=15 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-6/wsu-vs-tut | title=WSU vs TUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=15 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Buffalo City Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 15 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|CPUT}}
| score = 50–10
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-cput-put-50-points-final-home-game | title=FNB CPUT put up 50 points in final home game | work=Varsity Cup | date=15 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3641 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 18, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=15 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-6/cput-vs-rhodes | title=CPUT vs Rhodes | work=Varsity Cup | date=15 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|Rhodes}}
| stadium = {{Rus|CPUT Sports Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{Rubye|{{Rut|UKZN Impi}}}}
==Round seven==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 19 March 2018
| time = 18:00
| home = {{Rut|UKZN Impi}}
| score = 34–29
| report = Report
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3821 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 19, Pool Stage | work=South African Rugby Union | date=19 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-7/ukzn-vs-cput | title=UKZN vs CPUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=19 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|CPUT}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Peter Booysen Sports Park}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 19 March 2018
| time = 18:00
| home = {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}
| score = 21–18
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/late-try-sends-fnb-tut-vikings-semis | title=Late try sends FNB TUT Vikings into the semis | work=Varsity Cup | date=20 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3822 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 20, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=19 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-7/tut-vs-ufh | title=TUT vs UFH | work=Varsity Cup | date=19 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UFH Blues}}
| stadium = {{Rus|TUT Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 19 March 2018
| time = 18:00
| home = {{Rut|Rhodes}}
| score = 15–58
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-uwc-run-riot-fnb-rhodes | title=FNB UWC run riot at FNB Rhodes | work=Varsity Cup | date=20 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3823 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 21, Log | work=South African Rugby Union | date=19 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-7/rhodes-vs-uwc | title=Rhodes vs UWC | work=Varsity Cup | date=19 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UWC}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Rhodes Great Field}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{Rubye|{{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}}}
=Play-offs=
==Semifinals==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 26 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| score = 30–21
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/fnb-wsu-play-their-first-varsity-shield-final | title=FNB WSU to play in their first Varsity Shield final | work=Varsity Cup | date=27 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3825 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 22, Semi Final | work=South African Rugby Union | date=26 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-8/wsu-vs-ukzn | title=WSU vs UKZN | work=Varsity Cup | date=26 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|UKZN Impi}}
| stadium = {{Rus|Buffalo City Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 26 March 2018
| time = 18:30
| home = {{Rut|UWC}}
| score = 66–7
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/relentless-fnb-uwc-surge-varsity-shield-final | title=Relentless FNB UWC surge to Varsity Shield final | work=Varsity Cup | date=26 March 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3826 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 23, Semi Final | work=South African Rugby Union | date=26 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-8/uwc-vs-tut | title=UWC vs TUT | work=Varsity Cup | date=26 March 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}
| stadium = {{Rus|UWC Sport Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
==Final==
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 9 April 2018
| time = 19:00
| home = {{Rut|UWC}}
| score = 55–10
| report = Report{{cite news | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/varsity-cup-bound-fnb-uwc-secure-varsity-shield-crown | title=Varsity Cup-bound FNB UWC secure Varsity Shield crown | work=Varsity Cup | date=9 April 2018 | accessdate=23 November 2018}}
Scoreboard{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.online/tournaments/match/id/3967 | title=Varsity Shield - Match 24, Final | work=South African Rugby Union | date=9 April 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs/2018-varsity-shield/round-9/uwc-vs-wsu | title=UWC vs WSU | work=Varsity Cup | date=9 April 2018 | accessdate=22 November 2018}}
| away = {{Rut|WSU All Blacks}}
| stadium = {{Rus|UWC Sport Stadium}}
| attendance =
| referee =
}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Varsity Rugby}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Varsity Shield 2018}}