Round four of Varsity Football 2025 delivered thrilling action as UJ extended their unbeaten run with a victory over UP-Tuks at the UJ Soweto Stadium to go top of the log.
Wits and TUT shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Wits Stadium, while UFS secured back-to-back wins with a dramatic late strike at Shimla Park.
CUT, meanwhile, celebrated their first triumph of the campaign after edging DUT in a tightly contested clash at CUT Stadium.
CUT 2-1 DUT
In a tense Varsity Football showdown in Bloemfontein on Thursday night, CUT Men’s Football bagged their first win of the season, edging DUT Men’s Football 2-1.
Both teams, stuck at the bottom of the log with no wins, fought tooth and nail to get their campaigns going.
The game kicked off with both sides firing early shots, but efforts from CUT and DUT flew over the bar.
DUT’s tricky winger, Iviwe Sodidi, ran rings around his marker with slick footwork, keeping the hosts under pressure.
DUT’s high press choked CUT’s attempts to play out from the back, earning a corner from Sbonelo Ngidi, which Sifundo Ngema just missed.
The visitors bossed possession, pinning CUT back for most of the first half.
Against the odds, CUT struck first. Mzwakhe Shabalala linked up with Nkosingiphile Lubisi, who smashed the ball into DUT’s net, sending the home crowd wild with a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The goal gave CUT a massive boost.
The hosts came out swinging in the second half, with Lubisi grabbing his second goal to make it 2-0.
CUT tightened their grip on the midfield, stifling DUT’s comeback attempts. But DUT wouldn’t go quietly.
Late on, Sibonginhlanhla Hlatshwayo’s wicked cross found Manqoba Mlele, who nodded in to pull one back, giving the Durban side a glimmer of hope.
Time ran out for DUT, though, as CUT held firm for a crucial 2-1 win, securing their first three points. DUT left empty-handed, still hunting for their first victory.
SCORERS
CUT: Nkosingiphile Lubisi x2.
DUT: Manqoba Mlele
Player of the Match: Nkosingiphile Lubisi (CUT)
TEAMS
CUT: Siseko Faku (GK), Siyabonga Mzelem, Thabang Mokoena(C), Khotso Mphene, Polokeho Letlema, Mzwakhe Shabalala, Pogisho Dikole, Nkosingiphile Lubisi, Alwande Sibiya, Edward Tshabalala, Malefetsane Matale.
DUT: Sekwanele Mtolo (GK), Sibonginhlanhla Hlatshwayo, Xolani Mkhonza(C), Sifundo Ngema, Nkululeko Nkosi, Manqoba Mlele, Sbonelo Ngidi, Kwanele Vilakazi, Fanelesibonge Ndwandwe, Ndumiso Khali, Iviwe Sodidi.
UJ 1-0 UP-Tuks
An entertaining game of Varsity Football between the UJ Men’s Football and the UP-Tuks Men’s Football at the UJ Soweto Stadium ended in favour the of hosts. I
n a fiercely contested battle, UJ secured a crucial 1-0 victory, marking their third win of the season.
From the opening whistle, both teams came out firing.
Despite early pressure from Tuks, UJ managed to create several goal scoring opportunities.
The first half was a masterclass in defence, with neither side able to find the back of the net.
Key players like strikers Tokoloho Vikalazi (UJ) and Risen Albert (Tuks), along with wingers Karabo Modisane (UJ) and Matome Rangata (Tuks), battled intensely, but the defences held firm.
Just before the halftime break, Modisane unleashed a thunderous strike that rattled the crossbar, sending the crowd into a frenzy and providing a tense moment of relief for the visitors as the ball bounced harmlessly away.
The stalemate finally broke five minutes into the second half. Following a period of sustained pressure, UJ's Keletso Sekhwela found himself in the box and capitalised on the opportunity, slotting the ball home to give his team a hard-fought 1-0 lead.
With UJ now in the lead, the intensity escalated.
UP-Tuks, known as the "Stripe Generation," pushed forward relentlessly, led by the dynamic Raymond Matlamela, whose box-to-box runs, and precise passing kept UJ on their toes.
However, UJ's defense, anchored by the formidable duo of Thabo Moshikere and Yasidu Lifa, was impenetrable.
They repeatedly thwarted Tuks' attacks, holding firm against wave after wave of pressure from Albert and Rangata.
The final whistle confirmed UJ's 1-0 win, cementing their dominance over their rivals and giving them their third victory in four matches.
This impressive run has earned the "Orange Army" 10 points so far this season, with previous wins against the UFS and Wits, and an opening draw against NWU.
SCORERS
UJ: Keletso Sekhwela
Player of the Match: Yasidu Lifa, (UJ)
TEAMS
UJ: Yasidu Lifa, Thabo Moshikere, Tumelo Machete, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Teboho Makhalanyane, Keletso Sekhwela, Tokoloho Vilakazi, Karabo Modisane, Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza, Sanele Mncube, Kyle Van Rensburg.
UP-Tuks: Leathan Croats, Khotatso Balepile, Edward Rankwe, Damian Overmeyer, Nkosana Shabalala, Camagu Mdevulana, Samukelo Ngodela, Matome Rangata, Raymond Tshwane Matlamela, Risen Albert, Ntokozo Madela.
UFS 1-0 NWU
UFS Men’s Football secured back-to-back wins thanks to a dramatic late winner at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.
They edged out NWU Men’s Football with a 1-0 victory.
In their previous home fixture, UFS were on the receiving end of a late goal. This time, however, they turned the tables and gave their home fans something to cheer and sing about.
The first half saw both sides creating several chances to take the lead, but a lack of accuracy let them down at both ends.
NWU managed to win a few set-pieces, while the home side looked sharp in transition and on the counterattack.
Still, their final touches were lacking, and they couldn’t capitalise.
UFS goalkeeper Lethokuhle Makhaya was the busier of the two keepers, keeping his cool through a few nervy moments.
The sides went into the change rooms with the score still locked at 0–0.
In the second half, it was almost as if the teams had simply swopped tactics, with UFS now showing more attacking intent and winning more set-pieces much of it driven by the tireless efforts of Samkelo Nakedi.
NWU’s keeper, Ethan Mokwena a Bloemfontein local and product of Grey College’s renowned football programme was called into action increasingly as the pressure mounted.
That pressure eventually paid off. In the 90th minute, a superb free kick from UFS captain Iviwe Dyabuza forced an own goal from NWU, sealing the win for the hosts.
SCORERS
UFS: OG, Aphelele Sibisi (NWU)
Player of the Match: Lethokuhle Makhaya (UFS)
TEAMS
UFS: Lethokuhle Makhaya, Philani Zondi, Tshepo Ndlovu, Samkelo Nakedi, Jarome Jansen, Ben Kraai, Jose Mondi, Iviwe Dyabuza (captain), Kwethemba Ndlovu, Kagiso Semenya, Adolph Radingoana.
NWU: Ethan Mokwena, Knowledge Muleya, Lucky Letwaba, Aphelele Sibisi (captain), Lucas Seromo, Pascual Tivane, Thabang Majoro, Momelezi Mngati, Smanga Twala, Oatlhotse Ditlhobolo, Molemo Kukama.
Wits 1-1 TUT
In a physical and hard-fought encounter, both teams entered the clash with determination, separated by just a single point on the Varsity Football standings.
Wits, playing their third consecutive home fixture, were eager to bounce back from last week’s derby defeat to UJ, while TUT looked to build on their winning momentum.
The match kicked off at a high tempo, with both sides creating early chances.
Wits had two clear opportunities, but TUT goalkeeper Luyanda Mandindi produced crucial saves to deny Sifiso Mlondo and Tebogo Masemola, keeping the game goalless inside the opening 15 minutes.
In the 57th minute, Wits found their equaliser when Mxolisi Mthiya calmly converted from the penalty spot after captain Kgwadi Molepo was brought down in the box.
SCORERS
Wits: Mxolisi Mthiya
TUT: Lindokuhle Nyandeni
Player of the Match: Surprise Khoza (TUT)
WITS: Lwando Mvinjana, Obakeng Leping, Kgwadi Molepo, Sifiso Mlondo, Tebogo Masemola, Karabo Tsoane, Prince Manku, Tumelo Nkwe, Tshepho Mothiba, Mxolisi Mthiya, Kaihil Cloete
TUT: Luyanda Mandindi, Lehlomo Tolo, Makdiwe Ncenya, Surprise Khoza, Alan Moja, Sphesihle Mazibuko, Katlego Sphamandla Motlhale, Lindokuhle Nyandeni, Lucky Raphala, Glen Mashimbye, Precious Radithomo Mohale.