The much-anticipated Cape derby went down to the wire in Stellenbosch and it was log leaders Maties who clutched a try at the death to beat historical rivals UCT in a thrilling FNB Varsity Cup clash.
UP-Tuks beat the NWU Eagles to remain in contention for the playoffs while UJ painted the city orange after upping the pressure in the second half against the Witsies to be crowned kings of Jozi.
A rain soaked Bloem derby saw defending champs UFS Shimlas dig deep and beat the Ixias in a low scoring affair.
FNB Wits 24-32 FNB UJ
Johannesburg was painted orange on Monday evening when UJ claimed an important 32-24 win over Wits at the Wits Rugby Stadium.
It was a crucial game for both teams, who were yet to secure a victory in this season’s campaign.
The match was intense from the start, with Wits drawing first blood through lock Thomas Beling inside the first three minutes, though the conversion attempt went astray.
With the score at 5-0, the Orange Army had it all to do, and John Ford answered the call, breaking through from close range to level the score.
Michail Damon converted his attempt to give his side a 7-5 lead.
The next scoring action saw Wits speedster Kevon Chirwa racing down the touchline to score a try, which some in the crowd thought was controversial.
However, it stood, with the conversion attempt going wide again, leaving Wits with a slender 10-7 lead at the break.
Dap it up, the Orange Army are the kings of Jozi.
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 17, 2025
FULL TIME and a thrilling Joburg derby ends with @UJ_Sport taking the bragging right after putting in a solid second half.
FNB Wits 24-32 FNB UJ #RugbyThatRocks proudly brought to you by FNB, Steers and Suzuki. pic.twitter.com/MSOL8kg0W7
The second half saw a dominant display from UJ, who came out firing.
Too many errors from the home side let them down in crucial parts of the game.
The visitors were able to run in four tries to the hosts’ two.
Wits once again struggled to withstand mauls close to their try line, with UJ scoring two tries courtesy of Kamo Molefe.
In the end, UJ claimed the city’s bragging rights and possibly a position in next season’s FNB Varsity Cup.
It’s back to the drawing board for the Witsies, who will need to perform well in their remaining fixtures to avoid possible relegation.
SCORERS
FNB Wits: 24 (10)
Tries: Thomas Beling, Joshua van Vreden, Kevon Chirwa, Thireque Apolles.
FNB UJ: 32 (7)
Tries: Kamo Molefe (2), Ughan Africa, John Ford, Sifiso Dlamini.
FNB Player That Rocks: Michail Damon (UJ)
TEAMS
FNB Wits: Ricardo Brandao, Dagan Meuwese, Justin Amos, Sibusiso Shongwe, Thomas Beling, Hayden Munnery, Joshua van Vreden (VC), Thando Biyela, Christopher Kachungunu, Drew Bennet, Matthew Coetzee, Kevon Chirwa, Kamohelo Ncunca, Keith Chirwa, Lindani Dweba, Setshaba Mokoena (C).
FNB UJ: Damian Baker, Ryan Marimo, Ali Gqaza, Neil Hansen, Siyemukela Ndlovu (C), Muzuva Gutu, Dylan Viljoen, Liam Rowan, Alzeadon Felix, Ughan Africa, John Ford, Adriano Jackson, Sifiso Dlamini, Michail Damon.
FNB UP-Tuks 26-17 FNB NWU Eagles
UP-Tuks welcomed NWU Eagles at the Tuks Stadium in an emphatic and mouthwatering encounter - as anticipated, the collision proved to be unpredictable.
The Eagles looked strong on attack as they cornered UP-Tuks in the early stages of the game, dominating the first 10 minutes.
With the relentless attack from the men from North West, Tuks were reduced to 14 men when Kobus Janse van Rensburg was sent to the sin bin.
With their backs against the wall, the Stripe Generation broke the deadlock in impressive transition rugby.
The Pretoria outfit got a line-out in the middle of the park and relied on their strength and agility to drive NWU Eagles to their try-line.
After stretching play from one end to another they finally got the break as Andile Myeni cut in to open the scoring.
JP Wentzel was clinical with the boot abd secured maximum points.
Wentzel added three more points on the board with a well-executed kick.
The visitors finally registered points on the stroke of halftime, with Tuks taking a 7-point lead at the break.
The closely contested affair returned with the same energy as the Eagles returned with a try through Indiphile Tyeda to level the matters.
UP-Tuks cemented their dominance as Lilitha Matsiliza powered over the line to regain the lead.
Wentzel missed a penalty with an opportunity to extend the lead.
The Eagles showed no signs of giving up with Tian van Zyl reducing the deficit to just two points at 19-17.
Dewey Swartbooi’s troops proved to be too strong upfront as they registered another try from sensational forward play. Ruan van Blommestein dotted down as Tuks held on to secure a 26-17 victory.
FULL TIME and the @TuksSport Stripe Generation have hold off a determined Eagles side for a hard fought victory in Pretoria.
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 17, 2025
FNB Tuks 26-17 FNB NWU#RugbyThatRocks proudly brought to you by FNB, Steers and Suzuki. pic.twitter.com/81KSgOVwTt
SCORERS
FNB UP-Tuks: 26 (10)
Tries: Andile Myeni, Lilitha Matsiliza, Ruan van Blommestein.
FNB NWU Eagles: 17 (3)
Tries: Indiphile Tyeda, Tian van Zyl.
FNB Player that Rocks: Rauld Hattingh (FNB UP-Tuks)
TEAMS
FNB UP-Tuks: Mj Nel, Edwin Till, Jayd Austin, Roald Hattingh, Lilitha Matsiliza, Kamohelo Tlome, Haydn Kemp, Dillon Smith, Daimon Oconnell, Jp Wentzel, Andile Myeni, Keane Galant, Tharquinn Manuel, Munashe Dukuswa, Ambesa Zenzile.
FNB NWU Eagles: Alethwa Buthelezi, Chyle Van Zyl, Ntobeko Shezi, Tsepo Tlaka, Stephan Krugel, Ricardo Fourie, Tian Van Zyl, Guhan Du Bois, Sanele Zungu, Stehan Heymans, Indiphile Tyeda, Nico Liversage, Matthew Fortuin, Naiden Jaarts, Luan Van Der Walt.
FNB UFS Shimlas 16-9 FNB CUT
The UFS Shimlas returned to winning ways in the Varsity Cup on Monday with a hard-fought 16-9 victory over the CUT Ixias in the Bloemfontein derby.
It certainly wasn’t the prettiest of wins for the defending champions, but at this stage of the competition, every point is worth its weight in gold.
FULL TIME and defending champs @UFSweb take the honours at a rain soaked Shimla Park. Winger Kirwin du Preez scoring the only try of the game for the Shimlas.
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 17, 2025
FNB UFS 16-9 FNB CUT#RugbyThatRocks proudly brought to you by FNB, Steers and Suzuki pic.twitter.com/hALQNJVgoV
The eagerly anticipated derby was delayed by nearly an hour due to lightning in the vicinity of Shimla Park, but the welcome rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the supporters, who turned out in their numbers.
Despite the wet conditions, both teams opted for an attacking approach from the outset, resulting in plenty of turnover ball.
The Shimlas, in particular, left several points on the park, squandering scoring opportunities from set-pieces near the Ixias tryline.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 17th minute when Shimlas flyhalf Bradley Giddy slotted a long-range penalty, despite the slippery underfoot conditions.
However, he had two further attempts at goal, both unsuccessful, leaving the score at 3-0 at halftime.
The rain eased in the second half, improving the playing conditions slightly, but errors remained a factor.
Ixias opened their account through a Matthys Malan penalty to level matters, but Shimlas responded with a sensational try from Kirwin du Preez -- the only one of the match.
Giddy kept Shimlas ahead with two more penalties, while Malan slotted two late three-pointers in pursuit of a bonus point for Ixias.
Ultimately, the Shimlas did enough to claim the bragging rights and secure four valuable points.
SCORERS
FNB UFS Shimlas: 16 (3)
Tries: Kirwin du Preez
FNB CUT: 9 (0)
FNB Player that Rocks: Bradley Giddy (FNB Shimlas)
TEAMS
FNB Shimlas: Wynand Botha, Kirwin du Preez, Nkoka Ngobe (captain), Alwich van der Linde, Lilitha Lunqe, Bradley Giddy, Hlumelo Klaas, Maynard Kleynhans, Liam Shamburg, Fano Linde, Sandile Nzuza, Reinier Viljoen, Ben Pitout, Juanre Breitenbach, Ntokozo Hlope.
FNB CUT: Devinto Vergotine, Rorisang Masoeu, Zachery Bester, Liam Prinsloo, Clive Hartzenberg, Matthys Malan, Raydon Swartbooi, Francois Bester (captain), Helgard Bruwer, JT Van Der Walt, Kevin Strydom, Asekho Marubelela, Sisipho Nofuya, Tokelo Ntaopane, Mamello Moshoaliba.
FNB Maties 31-24 FNB UCT Ikeys
Maties kept their flawless record intact with an exhilarating 31-24 victory over a determined Ikey Tigers side in a gripping fourth-round Varsity Cup showdown at the electric Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
The highly-anticipated Western Cape derby between Maties and the Ikeys was everything fans hoped for—and more!
This was no ordinary rugby match. It was a fierce, high-octane battle between two bitter rivals, each side giving their all in a clash of rugby titans.
FULL TIME and wild scenes in Stellenbosch as @MatiesSport snatch it at the death! Grant De Jager scores the winner in the 80th min for an epic Cape derby victory! Skipper Ngobeni with a hattrick.
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 17, 2025
FNB Maties 31-24 FNB UCT#RugbyThatRocks brought to you by FNB, Steers and Suzuki pic.twitter.com/j5ce4sbicx
The game unfolded like a heavyweight boxing match, with both teams relentlessly going toe-to-toe, refusing to back down.
From the first whistle, it was clear: this was going to be a nail-biting contest of epic proportions.
Coach Kabamba Floors’s Maties and Ikeys head honcho Robbie Fleck’s squads were evenly matched across the board.
The Tigers led 24-17 at halftime, and it looked like the visitors might just pull off a shock upset.
But then, enter Ezekiel Ngobeni, the Maties captain, who was simply unstoppable.
The star player scored a brilliant hat-trick of tries to level the score at 24-all.
Just when it seemed like he was about to take the game by the scruff of the neck with a fourth try, disaster struck -- Ngobeni was forced to leave the field after picking up an injury.
With the match hanging in the balance and time running out, the Maties found another gear, sending their home crowd into a frenzy.
Big winger Grant De Jager exploded through the Ikey defence, powering over the line for the match-winning try.
The conversion followed, and the Danie Craven Stadium erupted as the final score settled at 31-24 in favour of the home side.
But the drama didn’t end there—aggressive lock Carel van der Merwe was a standout throughout the game, working tirelessly in the tight and loose exchanges.
His bulldozing try was a fitting testament to his relentless energy, and he was deservedly named the Player that Rocks.
What a game! The Maties continue their unbeaten streak, and this victory will surely go down as one of the most exciting derbies in recent memory.
SCORERS
FNB Maties: 31 (17)
Tries: Ezekiel Ngobeni (3), Gcina Puzi, Grand de Jager.
FNB UCT Ikeys: 24 (24)
Tries: Duran Koevort, Xola Nyali, Sipho Dyonase
FNB Player that Rocks: Ezekiel Ngobeni (FNB Maties)
TEAMS
FNB Maties: Prince Mulea, Armand Combrink, Herman Lubbe, Zuko Poswa, Carel Van Der Merwe, Gcina Puzi, Luan Botha, Ethan Snyman, Ezekiel (C) Ngobeni, Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Grant De Jager, CJ Marx, Ryan Manuel, Joel Leotlela, Elridge Jack.
FNB UCT Ikeys: Matthew Beckett, Keagan Blanckenberg, Zachary Porthen, Enos Ndiao, Danio Botha, Siphomezo Dyonase, Connor Jack Gordon, Xola Nyali, Asad Moos, Alex Vermeulen, Ntokozo Makhaza, Luke Burger, Kian Davis, Rethabile Louw, Duran Rayn Koevort.