California Golden Bears Athletics
Saturday, February 15
Berkeley, CA
1 p.m.
California
vs
Grand Canyon
Cal hosts two in Berkeley to close out home stand.
Photo by: RudyPics
Cal Meets Grand Canyon, British Columbia
2/14/2025 9:26 AM | Rugby
Bears, Thunderbirds Contest 100th Year Of World Cup
BERKELEY – California rugby is set to contest a pair of matches this weekend in Berkeley, welcoming Grand Canyon on Saturday before hosting University of British Columbia in the 100th year of the World Cup series on Sunday. Both matches will kick off at 1 p.m. PT at Witter Rugby Field.
The Golden Bears enter the weekend undefeated in XVs action, most recently collecting a 36-7 win over UCLA last Saturday. Cal put up five tries by as many players and Cormac Saint was 5-of-6 off his boot, tallying four conversions and one penalty kick. The Bears' defense has been strong this season, posting three shutouts and never allowing more than two converted tries to be scored against them in a single match.
The historic World Cup series, which spans a full century of competition between Cal and UBC, makes its return after a five-year hiatus, with Sunday's match serving as the first of a two-leg series that will continue in Vancouver next year.
The two teams split the series in 2020, each claiming a win on its home turf. Cal defeated UBC on Homecoming in Strawberry Canyon Feb. 22, 2020, with a final score of 36-21. Future USA Eagle Sam Golla was the starting blindside flanker, joined by key Cal players Sam Cusano, Henry Poon, Max Schumacher, Marcus Shankland, Jack Manzo and Damon Wiley, among others, in the Bears' first-15. The Thunderbirds took the second leg of the series, defeating Cal 31-8 in Vancouver. The Bears featured an entirely different starting lineup in the contest, which included notable contributors Ken Kurihara, who went on to be a rugby international, and winger Nick Bloom.
UBC brings an impressive pedigree to the pitch this weekend, having won five of the last seven Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship titles. After claiming the national title three years in a row, the T-Birds settled for Bronze last November. UBC holds a 7-4-1 record in the 2024-25 season, which includes a 38-27 win over Central Washington on Jan. 18 in Bellingham, Washington.
Grand Canyon makes the trip to Berkeley with a 2-2 overall record. The Antelopes picked up a 41-34 win over Western Washington last weekend and a dominant 76-5 victory over Arizona State on Jan. 25. They dropped contests against UCLA and Saint Mary's.
Cal and GCU last met in Phoenix on Feb. 19, 2024. The Bears outscored the Lopes 74-7, tallying 12 tries and adding the extras on six. Eight of Cal's starters in the contest return this season for the Bears, including try scorers Joe Kirsten, Michál de Beer, Mack Fell, Tyler Lenk, Oliver Newall and Saint. The Lopes last visited Berkeley on Feb. 4, 2023, when Cal claimed a 69-7 victory. Tom Dixon recorded a hat trick in the match, and Rand Santos also added a try to the scoresheet.
The gates at Witter Rugby Field will open at Noon on both days. Tickets for the matches can be purchased online in advance. Fans unable to attend in person can watch the games live on ESPN+. Follow this link to watch Cal vs. GCU and use this link to view Cal vs. UBC.
STAY POSTED
For complete coverage of Cal rugby, please follow the Bears on X/Twitter (@CalVarsityRugby), Instagram (@CalVarsityRugby) and Facebook (/CalVarsityRugby).
The Golden Bears enter the weekend undefeated in XVs action, most recently collecting a 36-7 win over UCLA last Saturday. Cal put up five tries by as many players and Cormac Saint was 5-of-6 off his boot, tallying four conversions and one penalty kick. The Bears' defense has been strong this season, posting three shutouts and never allowing more than two converted tries to be scored against them in a single match.
The historic World Cup series, which spans a full century of competition between Cal and UBC, makes its return after a five-year hiatus, with Sunday's match serving as the first of a two-leg series that will continue in Vancouver next year.
The two teams split the series in 2020, each claiming a win on its home turf. Cal defeated UBC on Homecoming in Strawberry Canyon Feb. 22, 2020, with a final score of 36-21. Future USA Eagle Sam Golla was the starting blindside flanker, joined by key Cal players Sam Cusano, Henry Poon, Max Schumacher, Marcus Shankland, Jack Manzo and Damon Wiley, among others, in the Bears' first-15. The Thunderbirds took the second leg of the series, defeating Cal 31-8 in Vancouver. The Bears featured an entirely different starting lineup in the contest, which included notable contributors Ken Kurihara, who went on to be a rugby international, and winger Nick Bloom.
UBC brings an impressive pedigree to the pitch this weekend, having won five of the last seven Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship titles. After claiming the national title three years in a row, the T-Birds settled for Bronze last November. UBC holds a 7-4-1 record in the 2024-25 season, which includes a 38-27 win over Central Washington on Jan. 18 in Bellingham, Washington.
Grand Canyon makes the trip to Berkeley with a 2-2 overall record. The Antelopes picked up a 41-34 win over Western Washington last weekend and a dominant 76-5 victory over Arizona State on Jan. 25. They dropped contests against UCLA and Saint Mary's.
Cal and GCU last met in Phoenix on Feb. 19, 2024. The Bears outscored the Lopes 74-7, tallying 12 tries and adding the extras on six. Eight of Cal's starters in the contest return this season for the Bears, including try scorers Joe Kirsten, Michál de Beer, Mack Fell, Tyler Lenk, Oliver Newall and Saint. The Lopes last visited Berkeley on Feb. 4, 2023, when Cal claimed a 69-7 victory. Tom Dixon recorded a hat trick in the match, and Rand Santos also added a try to the scoresheet.
The gates at Witter Rugby Field will open at Noon on both days. Tickets for the matches can be purchased online in advance. Fans unable to attend in person can watch the games live on ESPN+. Follow this link to watch Cal vs. GCU and use this link to view Cal vs. UBC.
STAY POSTED
For complete coverage of Cal rugby, please follow the Bears on X/Twitter (@CalVarsityRugby), Instagram (@CalVarsityRugby) and Facebook (/CalVarsityRugby).
Players Mentioned
Center
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Lock
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Center
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Fullback/Wing
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Center
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Fullback/Wing/Center
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Scrumhalf
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Flyhalf/Center/Fullback
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