The finalists of FNB Varsity Shield 2025 have been decided, with Varsity College set to face Madibaz on 11 April at 4pm.
The Comets have already secured automatic promotion after topping the log at the end of the group stages and continued their fine form by outclassing CPUT in Durban.
In Gqeberha, Madibaz booked their ticket to the final after dispatching UWC with relative ease.
FNB Madibaz 41-24 FNB UWC
For two heart-breaking years Madibaz failed to make it past the semifinal stage of the Varsity Shield.
That all changed in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon.
A slew of tries by the home side in the first half did enough damage to ensure that the visitors simply had too much to do in the second half.
The Capetonians drew first blood in the fifth minute when centre Braydon Booysen crashed over, but from that point on the half belonged to Madibaz.
Kyle Erasmus added to his impressive Shield try tally after a powerful rolling maul, centre Eddie Kruger rounded off a superb bit of handling by the Madibaz backs before wing Emihle Zaza took advantage of poor handling by the visitors to stroll in for his five-pointer.
Three minutes before the break prop Imibongo Mvuleni got in on the action with a copybook front-rower’s charge over the line.
It looked like the floodgates would open when Madibaz skipper Leon van der Merwe caught the opposition napping with a quick tap-and-go to put his name on the scoresheet nine minutes into the second half.
However, with no option but to attack, UWC started to find some rhythm and were rewarded with three unanswered tries by Leighton Damon, skipper Romuald Nsombamanya and replacement hooker Tyanase Mihlali.
It was too little, too late though as Madibaz secured their place in the final that has for eluded them for so long.
SCORERS
FNB Madibaz: 41 (34)
Tries: Kyle Erasmus, Edward Kruger, Emihle Zaza, Imibongo Mvuleni, Leon van der Merwe.
FNB UWC: 24 (5)
Tries: Braydon Booysen, Leighton Damon, Romuald Nsombamanya, Tyanase Mihlali.
FNB Player That Rocks: Leon van der Merwe (FNB Madibaz)
TEAMS:
FNB Madibaz: Imibongo Mvuleni, Kyle Erasmus, Lihlumelo Mantewu, Calvin Bosch, Martinus Strydom, Sean van Zijl, Dewald Gerber, Leon van der Merwe, Curwin Casper, Raashied Conrad, Bukho Pantsi, Lwando Davane, Edward Kruger, Emihle Zaza, Layron Milborrow.
FNB UWC: Daniel Damons, Marciano Forbes, Keanuh Michaels, Melumzi Mandongana; Alexander-Jaco Van Der Merwe, Romauld Nsombamanya, Logan Fortuin, Leighton Demon, Conwill Conradie, Elkan Willemse, Hlomla Ncana, Braydon Booysen, Leigh Braaf, Keith Syster, Aaron Swartz.
FNB Varsity College 52-17 FNB CPUT
Varsity College delivered a statement performance in Durban North as they overwhelmed CPUT 52–17 to book their place in the Varsity Shield final.
The Comets were first on the board in the 13th minute when Jacques Marais dotted down off a line-out driving maul, showcasing his trademark power.
Drico Marx added the extras from the touchline to make it 7-0.
Just two minutes later, a deliberate knockdown by Maseti saw the referee go to the TMO, who ruled a probable try.
A penalty try was awarded and Varsity College doubled their lead to 14-0.
The momentum didn’t stop there. In the 18th minute, Edward Siguake tore down the touchline before offloading to captain Mthembu, who finished the move with style.
Marx slotted the conversion to extend the lead to 21-0.
That scoreline remained unchanged at halftime, with the Comets firmly in control after three unanswered tries.
The second half began just as the first ended, with FNB VC applying pressure.
Former Northwood 1st team captain Enzo Van Niekerk added his name to the scoresheet in the 50th minute with a blistering run, and Marx converted once more to make it 28-0.
CPUT finally found a response in the 58th minute through Gerald Ghambi, who powered over the line.
However, the missed conversion from Maseti left them trailing 28-5. Varsity College quickly hit back, and in the 62nd minute, Marx capitalised on a forward-dominated attack to score.
Although his conversion hit the upright, the Comets led 33-5.
Jacques Marais wasn’t done yet. In the 73rd minute, he secured his brace off another powerful driving maul.
Marx added the extras as the scoreboard stretched to 40-5.
Though the game was slipping away, the Blue Wave continued to fight.
Clyde Frieslaar produced a determined finish in the 75th minute, crashing over with two defenders on him.
The successful conversion made it 40-12. Just minutes later, Iwaan Bloys added another for CPUT, blazing down the wing, although the conversion was missed.
Varsity College answered back in the 78th minute when fullback Chandler Green danced through defenders to score.
Marx missed the conversion, but it was 45–17 heading into added time.
In the final act of the match, eighthman Juan Steyl finished things off with a pick-and-go try and converted it himself to seal the emphatic 52-17 victory.
SCORERS
FNB Varsity College: 52 (21)
Tries: Jacques Marais (3), Juan Orde Steyl, Abande Mthembu, Frederick Marx, Chandler Green, Penalty Try.
FNB CPUT: 17 (0)
Tries: Iwaan Bloys, Gerald Junior Ghambi, Clyde Frieslaar.
FNB Player that Rocks: Jacques Marais (FNB Varsity Cup)
TEAMS
FNB Varsity College: Okuhlekodwa Meyiwa, Jacques Marais, Mbuso Kweyama, Robert Everson, Garren Muller, Khumo-etsile Nkutha, Enzo van Niekerk, Juan Orde Steyl, Abande Mthembu ( C), Frederick Marx, Edward Sigaude, Mambo Mkhize, MJ Scoeman, Allston Cedras, Chandler Green.
FNB CPUT: Nkosephayo Sbusiso Ngema, Kyle Ahrendse, Keiran Delaan Naidoo (C ), Nqaba Mveliso Nkonyeni, Keanan Benjamin Odwa Rolosi, Preveen Rahul, Padayachiey, Philasande Ngcobo, Denely Krid Adams, Jayson January, Oyintando Honour Maseti, Iwaan Bloys, Timothy Matthew Shortless, Jacquin Farrol Jacubus, Noah Matthew Pekeur Keano, Keewan Titus.
The FNB Varsity Shield final will take place at 4pm on 11 April at Varsity College Durban North.