Wits returned to the Varsity Football with a bang after reaching their first ever semi-final, having finished the 2013 campaign with just one victory to their name.

 

When comparing their two campaigns, it was most certainly chalk and cheese, and the remarkable improvement has placed them right up there with the most improved sides to have played in this tournament.

 

We have a look at what they did in 2013 and how much of a difference a season long break from the competition does in reviving their spirits.

 

2013

 

They suffered a massive baptism of fire in the inaugural tournament and proved to be one of the whipping boys after suffering six defeats from their seven matches. Their only positive result came against UCT - who finished rock bottom.

 

Another remarkable statistic is the fact that they managed to score just two goals in the event while conceding a whopping 17 goals.

 

It was not the best way to get themselves on the map and the fact that they failed to qualify for the 2014 edition most certainly helped them pull themselves together and re-assess their situation.

 

2015

 

Having missed out on the 2014 edition of the tournament, Wits returned to the showpiece event determined to write the wrongs of 2013 and they did just that.

 

They proved to be one of the best defensively organised teams, conceding just six goals in their seven matches. They may not have torn their opponents apart with runaway victories but their haul of seven goals was enough to help them sneak into fourth place to claim a play-off spot.

 

In stark contrast to their woeful 2013 campaign, they bagged four victories - including a run of three consecutive victories in their final three round-robin matches - while they also picked up a draw to go with two defeats as they bagged 13 points.

 

In their first-ever semi-final, they pushed log leaders all the way to take the game to penalties after the match ended goalless. They failed to hold their heads though and suffered a 4-2 defeat to see their hopes dashed.

 

The differences in campaigns proves what needs to be done in order to compete in this top level competition and the way Wits went about it, can be used as the blue print for other teams to follow.

 

Should they continue this improvement, it will certainly not be long before we see them making it into a final and also eventually belong crowned champions.