Congratulations to Ikey Tigers Young Guns

Dear colleagues and students

It fills me with immense pride and great excitement as I write to extend my warmest congratulations to the University of Cape Town (UCT) Ikeys Young Guns for their outstanding 42–29 victory over the University of Free State Young Guns in the FNB Varsity Cup Young Guns final.

This remarkable achievement is a testament to the depth of talent, determination and excellence that define rugby at UCT. The FNB Varsity Cup Young Guns competition, established in 2012 as the official under-20 tournament within Varsity Rugby, plays a vital role in developing emerging university talent and serves as a key pathway into senior Varsity Cup and professional rugby.

To emerge as champions after a highly competitive season reflects not only skill and preparation, but also resilience, discipline and unity. The team’s performance in the final showcased the very best of UCT sport – a blend of strategic brilliance, physical courage and unwavering team spirit.

The route to the final was not an easy one for the UCT Young Guns, but the team rose to the occasion and notched up four wins in six matches to finish top of Group B. What followed was a memorable win in the penultimate match on home soil, as the team defeated FNB UJ Young Guns 50–31 at the Green Mile. The team then marched on to a commanding victory in the final, held in Pretoria, capping off a truly impressive campaign.

As captain Tyrone Gombe lifted the trophy, this triumph marked a significant milestone in UCT Young Guns history. Since reaching the semifinals in 2013 and coming close in the 2025 final, the team has steadily built towards this moment. Their 2026 victory represents the first-ever title for UCT since the Young Guns’ participation in the tournament in 2012.

It is also a victory that underscores the strength of our broader rugby ecosystem at UCT. The Young Guns are a crucial pipeline that prepares young talent for possible progression into the Ikey Tigers, our senior team. With the Ikey Tigers having secured titles in 2011, 2014 and most recently 2025, this Young Guns success signals a promising and sustainable future for UCT rugby.

I would like to commend all the players, the coaching staff led by Joel Carew, and the support teams whose dedication and hard work made this success possible. Achievements of this nature are never the result of individual effort alone, but rather the outcome of collective commitment and shared purpose.

To our broader UCT community – students, staff, alumni and supporters – thank you for your continued encouragement and belief in our teams. Your support plays an invaluable role in inspiring our student-athletes to perform at their very best.

At UCT, we remain deeply committed to the holistic development of our students. Successes such as this reinforce our belief that excellence extends beyond the classroom, and that sport is a powerful platform for cultivating leadership, resilience and a sense of shared identity.

As we celebrate this well-deserved victory, we do so with confidence in what lies ahead. The Ikeys Young Guns have not only brought home a trophy – they have strengthened the legacy of UCT rugby and inspired our entire community.

Well done, Ikeys Young Guns. You have made us all immensely proud.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

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