In the opening round of FNB Varsity Shield 2025, newcomers SPU clinched a dramatic late winner against UKZN in a hotly contested try-fest in Kimberley while Varsity College got a flying start over Madibaz.
Both Cape Town teams were victorious as UWC outplayed WSU at home while CPUT roared on home turf.
FNB VARSITY COLLEGE 40-14 FNB MADIBAZ
It was a game of vengeance on the books as the visiting team Madibaz had a score to settle with the team that knocked them out in last year's semifinals.
The home team, Varsity College, drew first blood after 11 minutes as they managed to wrestle a good try from a line-out drill.
One of the star players in the team, vice-captain, Jacques Marais was at the end of the try.
Flyhalf Frederick Marx hit the woodwork and failed to convert as Varsity College enjoyed an early 5-0 lead.
The match was a very physical end-to-end affair as both teams cancelled each other out to keep the scoreboard unmoved.
The Comets got another try as the defensive work of Madibaz was again broken down when Marx offloaded a beautiful assist to Chandler Green who went over the line out wide.
The flyhalf converted successfully the second time out.
The men from PE marked their presence in the match a few minutes from the break as Sean Van Zijl caught the home team's defence napping to run over for a try.
Flyhalf Conrad Raashied converted from close range.
Varsity College went into the halftime break leading 12-7.
The home team didn’t waste any time in the second half as an entertaining full sprint from their eighth-man Johnathan Horak extended their lead with their flyhalf making sure the score extended further to 19-7.
Madibaz scored their second and final try through Kyle Erasmus who gave the away team a glimmer of hope to move his team to 14 points.
A stream of tries followed from the Comets as Daniel Van Huizen, captain Abanye Mthembu and Jacques Marais all added points to complete the slaughter of the men from Madibaz.
Marx succeeded in all remaining conversions, which also earned him the Player that Rocks award, as Varsity College won the game 40-14.
SCORERS
FNB Varsity College 40 (12):
TRIES: Jacques Marais 2, Chandler Green, Jonathan Horak, Daniel van Huizen, Abande Mthembu,
FNB Madibaz 14 (7):
TRIES: Sean Van Zijl, Kyle Erasmus,
FNB Player That Rocks: Frederick Marx (Varsity College)
TEAMS:
Varsity College: Abande Mthembu (c), Anwill Prins, Cade Latham, Chandler Green, Danie Van Huizen, Enzo Van Niekerk, Frederick Marx, Garre Muller, Jacques Marais, Jonathan Horak, Mambo Mkhize, Mbuso Kweyama, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Robert Everson, Sinelifa Ncwana.
Madibaz: Raashied Conrad, AJ Flemming, Imibongo Mvuleni, Lwando Davane, Kyle Erasmus, Dewald Gerber, Calvin Bosch, Sean Van Zijl, De Wet Goedhals, Leon van der Merwe, Curwin Casper, Layron Milborrow, Edward Kruger, Mvelo Fipaza, Bukho Pantsi.
FNB SPU 41-37 FNB UKZN
The Sol Plaatje University (SPU) secured a hard-fought 41-37 victory over UKZN in their clash at Suzuki Park in Kimberley.
The match saw both teams battling fiercely, with momentum swinging back and forth throughout the contest.
UKZN struck first when Siso France slotted an early penalty to put them 3-0 ahead, but SPU’s Khanya Kama quickly responded with a penalty of his own, levelling the score at 3-3.
UKZN’s Jordan Ramsamy powered over from a rolling maul, with France adding the conversion.
Tumelo Papane hit back for SPU with a well-taken try, followed by a successful conversion.
UKZN’s Wela-Aphumelele Takata then crossed the line, with France making no mistake from the tee.
SPU turned up the heat as Jan Potgieter and Leslie Ruiters dotted down, with Kama converting once and adding a penalty to give SPU a narrow 22-20 lead at halftime.
The second half saw UKZN’s Zak Smith pounce for a quick try, but SPU’s Liyabona Maplanga responded with a brilliant solo effort, levelling the score at 27-27.
Jaiden Faviers then powered over, with Kama adding the extras.
UKZN kept fighting as Nhlakanipho Bithelezi scored with France slotting another penalty, before adding a stunning drop goal to keep the visitors in touch at 37-34.
Faviers sealed the deal with a late try under the posts, with Kama’s conversion securing the 41-37 win.
SCORERS
FNB SPU 41 (22):
TRIES: Tumelo Papane, Jan Potgieter, Liyabona Maplanga, Jaiden Faviers 2.
FNB UKZN 37 (20):
TRIES: Jordan Ramsamy, Wela-Aphumelele Takata, Zak Smith, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi.
FNB Player That Rocks: Khanya Kama (SPU)
TEAMS:
SPU: Aviwe Mpopo, Jan Potgieter, Cassie Botes, Kwando Dlamini, Tumelo Papane, Tyrone China, Sello Maketlo (Captain), Gareth Maree, Ethen Manus, Leslie Ruiters, Raees Sahabodien, Khanya Kama, Jayden Faviers (Vice/Captain), Liyabona Maplanga, Bokamoso Maphisa.
UKZN: Siyanda Dlamini, Jordan Ramsay, Owethu Mntwelizwe, Samkelo Mkhize, Mthomboyolo Buzani (c), Nhlankanipho Buthelezi, Wela Takata, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Zak Smith, Siso France, Luthando Mhlongo, Russel Fick, Singele Mkhize, Ramutuku Masiteng, Jowan Visagie.
FNB UWC 50-33 FNB WSU
UWC comfortably overcame WSU 50-33 at UWC Stadium.
It was a high scoring match in Cape Town with both sides playing attacking rugby and not afraid to give the ball some air.
UWC scored five first-half tries to open up a 33-14 lead at the break.
WSU captain Lukhangele Tshayi kicked three first-half penalties to keep his side in the hunt but, ultimately, tries by Keno Alexander, J’que Huckins, Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, Leachim Adams and Marciano Forbes saw the home side take a big lead into the break.
UWC picked up where they left off in the first half with persistent pressure on the WSU tryline.
Tight-head prop Keanuh Michaels went over after a smart pick-up and drive.
Replacement UWC loose forward Danston Cloete scored with his first touch of the match.
A rampaging five-metre scrum saw Cloete pick up and dot the ball down.
Outside centre J'que Huckins then got his second try of the evening. WSU tried to attack from their own tryline, but a loose pass was intercepted by the nimble Huckins who went over untouched.
WSU scored three late tries by Khanyo Solani, Axola Mtalana and Qhayiya Makhalima to flatter the scoreline but they were well outplayed by the home team.
SCORERS
FNB UWC 50 (33):
TRY: J’que Huckins 2, Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, Leachim Adams, Marciano Forbes, Keanuh Michaels, Dantson Cloete, Keno Alexander.
FNB WSU 33 (14):
TRY: Mangaliso Zixesha, Qhayiya Makhalima, Axola Mtalana, Khanyo Solani.
FNB Player That Rocks: Nicholas Chipanje (UWC)
TEAMS:
UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Marciano Forbes, Keanuh Michaels, Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, Michail, Kasfikis, Romauld Nsombamanya ©, Nicholas Chipanje, Leighton Damon, Conwill Conradie, Aaron Swartz, Leachim Adams, Elkan Willemse, J’que Huckins, Keith Syster, Keno Alexander.
WSU: Yanda Ndamase, Mangaliso Zixesha, Yoyisa Mahobe, Luvo Zindela, Siseko Mani, Hlomla Payi, Siya Ncapayi, Khanya Solani, Thembela Folo, Isiphe Mbini, Asisipho Jim, Glen-Lihn Tromp, Axola Mtalana, Bulelani Nondlwana, Lukhangele Tshayi ©.
FNB CPUT 41-10 FNB UFH
SCORERS
FNB CPUT 41 (17):
TRY: Noah Pekeur, Ox Ngema, Bongani Gumbi, Keewan Titus.
FNB UFH 10 (10):
TRY: Bunono Jamani
FNB Player That Rocks: Iwaan Bloys (CPUT)
TEAMS:
CPUT: Ox Ngema, Lihle Kula, Kieran Naidoo ©, Ntsako Mhlanga, Nqaba Nkonyeni, Praveen Padayachiey, Lathitha Ratsibe, Denley Adams, Jayson January, Oyintando Maseti, Noah Pekeur, Timothy Shortles, Iwaan Bloys, Bongani Gumbi, Keano Cookson.
UFH: Samkelo Nzima ©, Bunono Jamani, Mbasa Mabele, Liyema Hlitane, Kamvelihle Gcweka, Yanga Gazi, Mpho Ramahala, Anda Simanga, Abongile Yeye, Sinalo Jivana, Bulumko Mfundisi, Lisolethu Jali, Lutho Mene, Mziyabulela Bathu, Sibusiso Javu.