FNB Varsity Cup Women round 1 saw FNB Maties Women avenging themselves 31-19 against the defending champions FNB UFH Women at Davidson Stadium on Friday. While FNB UP-Tuks Women narrowly outclass FNB UWC Women 15-12 in Bellville. A pacey FNB UJ Women takes all the points in KZN.
FNB UFH Women 19-31 FNB Maties Women
The Maroon Machine scored four first half tries in the first match of the FNB Varsity Cup Women 2025 against FNB UFH Women at Davidson Stadium.
The visitors dominated matters at the end of the first stanza leading by 24-5 thanks to two tries from Elme Kruger, Shanidine Bezuidenhout and Jade Daniels.
The defending champions tried to give a strong fight in the first half following tries by Sibabalwe Jobo, but it was FNB Maties Women who had the last word.
As the second half resumed, captain Elizabeth Slabbert added to the visitors' score sheet. It didn't take time before the home side hit back with two tries from Lilitha Vakalisa who burst through to beat two defenders and get the Baby Blues second try of the game followed by Sindisiwe Mbonja’s taking the score to 19-31 after 53 minutes.
But it was the Maroon Machine who had the last say as they avenged their loss in last year’s final to start their 2025 campaign with a bonus point win over the defending champions.
SCORERS
FNB UFH Women: 19 (5)
Tries: Elme Kruger (2), Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Jade Daniels, Elizabeth Slabbert
FNB Maties Women: 31 (24):
Tries: Sibabalwe Jobo, Lilitha Vakalisa, Sindisiwe Mbonja.
FNB Player that Rocks: Zelmarie Pretorius (FNB Maties Women).
TEAMS
FNB UFH Women: Simnikiwe Mlakalaka, Aphiwe Nqana, Eyam Ngalo, Siphosethu Ngogodo, Masie Mathangane, Lindokuhle Sinaze, Simamnkele Jolingana, Rose Haka, Sindisiwe Mbonja, Pinkie Touto ©, Adaora Philemina, Lilitha Vakalisa, Sibabalwe Jobo, Litha Tofu, Inga Qongi.
FNB Maties Women: Erin Bond, Juan-Mari Du Plessis, Sesethu Ntamnani, Sarah Krone, Lekobane Maria Masebe, Jenna Meyer, Stefney-Rose de Vries, Ankia Viljoen, Taliyah Bussack, Elme Kruger, Jade Daniels, Zelmarie Pretorius, Elizabeth Slabbert ©, Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Kayleen Muggels.
FNB UWC Women 12-15 FNB Tuks Women
FNB UP Tuks Women opened their FNB Varsity Cup campaign with a convincing 15-12 win over FNB UWC Women in Bellville. The Tuks side laid the foundation of their win in the first half of the match after a clinical display helped the side open a 10-0 lead after 35 minutes.
FNB UWC Women had the stronger scrum, a solid lineout, and took the ball from coast to coast, but FNB UP Tuks’ defence held strong throughout the match to keep the home side scoreless in the first half and force them to work hard for the two second-half tries.
FNB UP-Tuks’ inspirational captain, No 8 Jess Mar opened the scoring with a penalty in front of the sticks before winger Marisna Godsil dotted down in the right corner after being put into space by her inside backs. Mar slotted a brilliant conversion from the corner to open up the halftime lead.
It took until halfway through the second stanza for FNB UWC to secure their first points of the match, with fullback Nandile Mvandaba rumbling over after an extended period of pressure from the home side.
FNB UP Tuks opposite number Kwanga Majebe glided through the FNB UWC Women defence shortly after to take her side to a 15-5 lead.
With time up on the clock and the match out of sight, FNB UWC Women scored a brilliant, long-range, point of origin try through winger Qaqamba Ngqabalala to put a few smiles on the home crowd’s faces.
SCORERS
FNB UWC Women: 12 (0).
Tries: Nandile Mvandaba, Qaqamba Ngqabalala.
FNB Tuks Women: 15 (10).
Tries: Marisna Godsil, Kwanga Majebe.
FNB Player that Rocks: Jess Mar (FNB Tuks Women).
TEAMS
FNB UWC Women: Sange Makhwezela, Unathi Tolbart, Anothando Khatshwa, Kaylee Daniels, Iviwe Jonas Jada Davids, Akhona Nkosi, Lithethaa Maqhude, Taybah Johaar, Marli George, Qaqamba Ngqabalala, Anathi Mkiva, Abongwe Vilane, Lee-Amber (C) Beukes, Nandile Mvandaba, Taylon Pieterse, Nothando Dlamini, Olwethu Qotyiwe, Tshegofatso Malatje, Masentle Rethabile Khanyetsi, Samukelisiwe Mjweni, Amaarah Abrahams, Sisipho Tshotsha.
FNB Tuks Women: Arnell Primo, Aphiwe Masuku, Nomzamo Nimorundsini, Mbali Ndlovu, Rethabile Kgatle, Thandi Mokatse, Kheselina Rens, Jess (C) Mar, Erin Prins, Precious (V) Tlaka, Amukelani Lisenga, Gugu Mncwabe, Lerato Tshabalala, Marisna Godsil, Kwanga Majebe, Leon de Bruyn, Sharon Stoaba, Naki Thukutha, Ox Xholi, Gina Moya, Innocentia Kgosana, Thato Nkadimeng.
FNB UKZN Women 0-14 FNB UJ Women
Under a drizzly climate the Impi Ladies hosted a pacey FNB UJ Women team that put away two converted tries in a clear away victory.
The first quarter of the match was contested by both teams in a cagey affair. Despite this contest, no team made it close to the try line, but the scrums looked good.
The same conditions continued into the halfway break, a lifeless scoreboard, with a bit of spark on the pitch, as both teams couldn’t get any points on the half.
Just under 10 minutes into the second half is what it took for the FNB UJ Women to finally give some scoreboard changes as Odirile Pusoe dotted down on the far corner after the constant pressure by the away team was finally rewarded. Siham Chtioui converted well for her team, 7-0 to the away team.
Not much happened in the match, a back-and-forth-affair as had been from the beginning until the very last minute of the game, Boitumelo Motshoane, giving a moment of the match as she left a handful of Impi ladies down - nonable to bring her down as she raced to the try line. FNB UJ Women fly half making it 14-0 to the away team as a final score.
SCORERS
FNB UKZN Women: 0 (0)
Tries:
FNB UJ Women: 14 (0)
Tries: Tries: Odirile Pusoe, Boitumelo Motshoane.
FNB Player that Rocks: Thobile Msizazwe (FNB UJ Women).
TEAMS
FNB UKZN Women: Amanda Dladla, Nonduduzo Yengwa (c), Siphokuhle Mdletshe, Lulama Cele, Kimberely Fynn, Nomonde Mbanjwa, Moonlight Mathebula, Amanda Madlala, Nonhlanzeka Khuzwayo, Snethemba Mzimela, Mahlogonolo Nkoane, Athiphile Njiyela, Nosipho Mkhize, Zama Mbeje, Ziyanda Felicia Shazi.
FNB UJ Women: Vuyiswa Dlamini, Salizwa Tyali, Odirile Pusoe, Sindiswa Ngwenya, Lethiwe Buthelezi, Sphilile Sigwaza, Nyashadzashe Gonangombe, Alutha Ngcezula, Fatouma Yalcoue, Siham Chtioui, Boitumelo Motshoane, Mpumelelo Dlamini, Nonhle Mbatha, Thobile Msizazwe, Noxolo Magasela.
Fixtures: HERE
Tickets: HERE
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