The North-West University Eagles and the University of Cape Town (UCT) Ikey Tigers will battle for the Varsity Cup title in the 2023 final.

UCT advanced to the decider after putting Shimlas to the sword in a high-scoring semi-final at Shimla Park last night.

They will travel to the Fanie du Toit fields in Potchefstroom after finding form at the sharp end of the competition and will be looking to add to their previous titles (2011 and 2014).

62' PENALTY. 50 up for the @ikeytigers as Makhaza nails it.

FNB UFS 12 – 50 FNB UCT#RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/JK3bFOK0wN

— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 10, 2023

Ntokozo Makhaza scored 23 points while Duran Koevort scored a brace of tries as they defeated Shimlas 65-30.

The Ikeys stunned the home crowd, scoring five unanswered tries in the first half as they entered the break with a healthy 37-7 lead, the hosts providing no answers to the UCT onslaught.

The @UFSweb Shimlas are trailing by a huge margin, but that hasn't stopped the home crowd #FansThatRock. They are still in full song! #RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/AZnTG8uYhv

— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 10, 2023

The second half started much like the first, with UCT quick out of the gates. Shimlas rallied to score three second-half tries but the damage had already been done and they bowed out in the semis for the second year in a row.

The Eagles were involved in a much tighter affair as the hosts eliminated perennial Varsity Cup juggernauts and five-time champs, Maties, in the second semi-final.

It's your boi Tino! Zinedine Robinson with the pinpoint crosskick and Tino Swanepoel with the airmiles scores the first try for @theNWU. #RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/DpZrAZNPco

— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 10, 2023

The victory sees the Eagles advance to their sixth final, and they will be looking to claim their second Varsity Cup title having previously won in 2016.

The hosts got off to the perfect start with winger Zinedine Robinson scoring early and they defended well for 7-3 half-time lead.

Maties’ chase became more difficult after the restart when Eagles fullback Tino Swanepoel ran a kick back for a try.

Outside back with a scrum cap = DANGER 🚨💥!

Tino Swanepoel with another sensational piece of individual brilliance to get his brace for the @theNWU Eagles!#RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/bG5fYmuleA

— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 10, 2023

Hooker Aydon Topley grabbed Maties’ only try of the contest, dotting down off the back of a maul to make it 14-10 at the start of the final quarter.

The Eagles were too strong and claimed a maul try of their own through replacement hooker Jandre de Beer as they sealed a famous win while booking a home final set for April 17.