The halfway point of FNB Varsity Cup 2025 saw another thrilling round end with dramatic results as the FNB NWU Eagles stunned defending champions FNB UFS Shimlas in Potchefstroom while a wounded FNB UP-Tuks ran riot over FNB CUT in Bloemfontein. Meanwhile in Cape Town FNB UCT pulled of a statement voictory by running in 10 trie against FNB Wits at the Green Mile. The night also saw a victory for FNB Maties beat the Orange Army to keep top spot on the log and remain unbeaten
FNB NWU Eagles 59-14 FNB UFS Shimlas
FNB NWU Eagles secured their second consecutive victory with a dominant performance against FNB Varsity Cup defending champions FNB UFS Shimlas at the Fanie du Toit Sportsground.
The Eagles got off to a strong start, with Stehan Heymans slotting a penalty in the third minute. However, they spent the next 15 minutes under pressure as Shimlas applied relentless attacks.
They managed to extend their lead when Nico Liversage crossed the try line after a well-timed offload from Matthew Fortuin, with Heymans successfully adding the conversion. Just before halftime, Ricardo Fourie’s try in the 37th minute secured a commanding 15-0 advantage for the home side.
The Eagles continued their dominance early in the second half, extending their lead to 22-0 in the 47th minute when Guhan Du Bois dotted down after a patient attacking buildup, finishing off an offload from Stephan Krugel. Heymans added the conversion. Five minutes later, Tian van Zyl sprinted down the wing to score after receiving a well-timed offload from Naiden Jaarts, with Heymans once again slotting the extra points to make it 29-0.
Shimlas finally responded in the 55th minute when Nkoka Ngobe powered through the Eagles’ defence from close range to score, and Tiaan Kriek converted, narrowing the gap to 29-7.
The Eagles continued their relentless attack in the 66th minute when Isrome Phatudi crossed the try line after a brilliant solo run from Schalk Van Schalkwyk, extending the lead to 36-7.
Just three minutes later, Van Schalkwyk capitalized on a quick turnover to score his try, with Stehan Heymans adding the conversion to make it 43-7. The Eagles struck again in the 71st minute when van der Walt intercepted the ball in his half and sprinted to the try line, with Heymans once again slotting the extra points for a commanding 52-7 lead.
Shimlas managed to hit back in the 73rd minute as Liam Shamburg powered through the Eagles’ defense to score, narrowing the gap to 52-14. However, the home side had the final say when Indiphile Tyeda raced down the wing to add another try in the 75th minute, with Heymans converting to seal a dominant 59-14 victory for FNB NWU.
SCORERS
FNB NWU Eagles: 59 (15)
Tries: Nico Liversage, Ricardo Fourie, Guhan du Bois, Tian Van Zyl, Schalk Van Schalkwyk, Indiphile Tyeda, Isrome Phatudi, Luan van der Walt.
FNB UFS Shimlas: 14 (0)
Tries: Nkoke Ngobe
FNB Player that Rocks: Luan van der Walt (FNB NWU Eagles)
TEAMS
FNB NWU Eagles: Alethwa Buthelezi, Chyle Van Zyl, Ntobeko Shezi, Tsepo Tlaka, Stephan Krugel (C), 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: Ntokozo Hlope, Vice Hofmeyer, Ben Pitout, Reinier Viljoen, Juan Venter. Marno Stopforth, Liam Shamburg, Fano Linde, Hlumelo Klaas, Tiaan Kriek, Lilitha Lunqe, Alwich Van Der Linde, Nkoka Ngobe (C), Kirwin du Preez, Regan Izaks.
FNB CUT 26-63 FNB UP-Tuks
The FNB UP-Tuks ran riot in the second half at CUT Park in Bloemfontein on Monday night as they return to winning ways in the FNB Varsity Cup by defeating the FNB CUT 63-26.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with the lead changing hands multiple times. However, in the second stanza, the visitors turned on the style to claim a convincing win against the team that had beaten them in Bloemfontein two years ago.
FNB UP-Tuks were the first to get on the scoreboard following a massive 22m gain from a lineout maul, which resulted in FNB CUT collapsing and left the referee with no option but to award a penalty try. Their joy was short-lived, though, as Ixias hooker Tokelo Ntaopane powered over for a converted try just minutes later, also from a lineout maul after a penalty.
Winger Munashe Dukuswa then put FNB UP-Tuks back in the lead by scoring in the corner, but FNB CUT responded once again, with Clive Hartzenberg flying over for a point-of-origin try, sparked by Adielson Gouveia deep in their own half. On the stroke of half-time, the Tuks hooker crossed the whitewash to put the team from the capital city ahead 19-14 at the break.
The second half opened up significantly, and in the early exchanges, both Edwin Till and Dukuswa completed their respective braces, stretching the lead to 17 points. While Leon Franzsen and Jordan Davids managed to score for the hosts, it was one-way traffic from the five-time champions—Chad-Lee Valentine, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, and Lilitha Matsiliza all adding their names to the scoresheet.
The Ixias put up a valiant fight, but they simply didn’t have enough to stop FNB UP-Tuks from exacting revenge.
SCORERS
FNB CUT: 26 (14)
Tries - Tokelo Ntaopane, Clive Hartzenberg (point-of-origin), Leon Franzsen, Jordan Davids.
FNB UP-Tuks: 63 (19)
Tries: Penalty Try, Munashe Dukuswa 2, Edwin Till 2, Daimon O'Connell (point-of-origin), Chad-Lee Valentine, Kobus Janse van Rensburg (point-of-origin), Lilitha Matsiliza.
FNB Player that Rocks: Haydn Kemp (FNB UP-Tuks)
TEAMS
FNB CUT: Devinto Vergotine, Adielson Gouveia, Rorisang Masoeu, Liam Prinsloo, Clive Hartzenberg, Matthys Malan, Raydon Swartbooi, Francois Bester (c), Janko Cloete, JT Van Der Walt, Kevin Strydom, Asekho Marubelela, Sisipho Nofuya, Tokelo Ntaopane, Jan-Hendrik Bessenger.
FNB UP-Tuks: Ambesa Zenzile, Munashe Dukuswa, Tharquinn Manuel, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Andile Myeni, JP Wentzel, Daimon O'Connell, Dillon Smith (c), Haydn Kemp, Kamohelo Tlome, David Engongo, JW Mare, Jayd Austin, Edwin Till, MJ Nel.
FNB UJ 7-25 FNB Maties
FNB UJ's search for their first win of the FNB Varsity Cup 2025 season continued as they fell short in round 4 against FNB Maties, losing 25-7 in a hard-fought encounter.
FNB Maties flanker Ryan Manuel broke the deadlock, crossing over for the visitors first try. Their captain, Ezekiel Ngobeni, soon followed suit, adding another try to put his team firmly in control.
FNB UJ had opportunities to respond but missed crucial chances to narrow the deficit, unable to capitalise on FNB Maties' failed conversion attempts. As the Stellenbosch based side’s lead expanded, FNB UJ struggled to make any headway, with Maties' defense proving to be strong. Time and again, FNB UJ pushed for the line, only to fall short in the final meters.
The home side finally got on the scoreboard thanks to a penalty try, but it wasn't enough to get over Maties' dominance.
In a dramatic turn of events, FNB Maties' Fortune Mpofu was initially sent to the sin bin, and upon his return to the field, he barely had time to settle before being sent off again after being struck in the eye.
With this loss, FNB UJ’s winless run in the competition continued, while FNB Maties showed their clinical edge, keeping their FNB Varsity Cup campaign on track.
SCORERS
FNB UJ: 0 (7)
Tries: Penalty try
FNB Maties: 25 (15)
Tries: Ryan Manuel, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Carel van der Merwe, Armand Combrink.
FNB Player that Rocks: Ezekiel Ngobeni (FNB Maties)
TEAMS
FNB UJ: Damian Baker, Ryan Marimo, Ali Gqaza, Jaden Baillie, Josh Toit, Siyemukela Ndlovu ©, Muzuva Gutu, Dylan Viljoen, Berwyn Bosch, Oela Blaauw, Ughan Africa, Reuven Ferreira, Sifiso Dlamini, Okwan Oavane, Michali Damon.
FNB UCT Ikeys: Jason Johnson, CJ Erasmus, Herman Lubbe, Zuko Poswa, Carel Van Der Merwe, Fortune Mpofu, Luan Botha, Ethan Snyman, Ezekiel Ngobeni ©, Christaan van Heerden Smith, Dylan Miller, Grant De Jager, Ryan Manuel, Joel Leotlela, Elridge Jack.
FNB UCT Ikeys 73-17 FNB Wits
FNB UCT Ikeys delivered a scintillating first half performance to thrash FNB Wits 73 -17 at the Green Mile. The home side needed to be solid at the back in the early exchanges with Wits starting brightest.
It took just 10 minutes for the opening try of the game, which was scored by Ikey’s captain, Keagan Blanckenberg. The Ikeys were relentless in the first half, and they ran in three tries inside the opening 20 minutes which was made a bit easier by Tirhani Masondo’s yellow card after 18 minutes.
By the 27th minute FNB UCT already secured a bonus point as they ran in six first half tries to go 45-0 up at the break.
The second period continued in the same fashion as UCT dotted down four minutes after the restart. The away team responded a minute later but the mountain was too big for FNB Wits to climb.
The visitors refused to lie down despite the scoreboard constantly ticking in favour of FNB UCT. Substitutions may have messed with the Ikeys’ momentum as they ended up conceding a total of three ties by the final whistle.
FNB UCT will however be happy with the fact they ran in ten tries in a 56-point drubbing of FNB Wits.
SCORERS
FNB UCT Ikeys: 73 (45)
Tries: Rethabile Louw 2, Keagan Blanckenberg, Duran Koevort, Ntokozo Makhaza, Asad Moos, Thomas Nel 2, Aidan Norris, Aden Da Costa.
FNB Wits: 17 (0)
Tries: Lindani Dweba, Kevin Chirwa, Penalty Tries.
FNB Player that Rocks: Keagan Blanckenberg (FNB UCT Ikeys)
TEAMS
FNB UTC Ikeys: Matthew Beckett, Keagan Blanckenberg (C), Bryan le Roux, Enos Ndiao, Danio Botha, Xola Nyali, Connor Jack Gordon, Aidan Norris, Asad Moos, Alex Vermeulen, Ntokozo Makhaza, Luke Burger, Kian Davis, Rethabile Louw, Duran Rayn Koevort, Johan Lombard, Lukhanyiso Bomela, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Keenan Mills, Aden Da Costa, Josh Miller, Thomas Nel, Isaiah Louw.
FNB Wits: Dagan Meuwese, Justin Amos, Ricardo Brandao, Hayden Munnery, Christopher Kachungunu, Joshua (V) Van Vreden, Luke Cannon, Thomas Beling, Drew Bennet, 10 Setshaba Mokoena (C), Kevon Chirwa, Tirhani Masondo, Liyema Matyolweni, Ngia Selengbe, Lindani Dweba, Paoliantinio Mariano, Thomas Meintjies, Waldo Muller, Joshua Ferreira, Risima Khosa, Tristan van Niekerk, Tireque Apolles, Keith Chirwa.
Fixtures: HERE
Tickets: HERE
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