The final round robin matches of FNB Varsity Shield 2025 is here, and with it comes a series of pivotal outcomes that will determine promotion, semi-final playoff matchups, and relegation survival. At the end of this round, the team that finishes first on the log will earn automatic promotion to the FNB Varsity Cup. The team in second will still have a shot at promotion, but only through a promotion/relegation playoff against the team that finishes seventh on the FNB Varsity Cup log.
Beyond promotion, the Varsity Shield semi-finals and final will determine the 2025 champion. With the top four teams already confirmed, the focus now shifts to final seeding, hosting rights, and potential rematches.
Confirmed Semi-Finalists
The four teams that will compete in the semi-finals are: FNB Varsity College, FNB CPUT, FNB Madibaz, and FNB UWC. While all four are safely through, the final round will determine who finishes first, who plays who, and which teams will host.
The Comets currently lead the standings and will secure automatic promotion if they earn just two points in their final match. If they remain in first place, they will face the team that finishes fourth. The second-placed team will host the team in third in the other semi-final.
Semi-Final Seeding Scenarios
FNB UWC, currently in fourth, face FNB SPU in their final game. A loss would confirm their place in fourth, setting up a semi-final against FNB Varsity College. If FNB UWC want to avoid that matchup, they will need to win and potentially secure bonus points to climb to third—or even second—depending on the result between rivals FNB CPUT and FNB Madibaz.
FNB CPUT and FNB Madibaz play each other in what is effectively a battle for second place. The winner will likely secure second, gain home ground advantage for the semi-final, and avoid FNB Varsity College. The loser of that match could drop to fourth if FNB UWC win with a bonus point and the point difference margin shifts accordingly.
It’s worth noting that both FNB CPUT and FNB Madibaz have only lost one game this season—and both losses came at the hands of FNB Varsity College. A potential semi-final or final rematch will carry extra weight. Similarly, FNB Varsity College’s only defeat this season was against FNB UWC, setting up another possible high-stakes encounter.
Relegation Battle at the Bottom
At the other end of the table, three teams— FNB UFH, FNB UKZN, and FNB WSU—are tied on seven points. One of them will finish eighth and face a relegation playoff to retain their place in next year’s FNB Varsity Shield.
FNB UKZN and FNB UFH play each other in what can only be described as a relegation decider. The winner of that match is almost certain to stay in the tournament. The loser will be in danger of finishing bottom, with point difference potentially playing a deciding role.
FNB WSU faces a very difficult final round fixture against log-leaders FNB Varsity College. Their only hope is to earn as many points as possible—whether through a losing bonus, a try bonus, or a surprise result—and hope that the FNB UKZN vs FNB UFH loser doesn’t edge them out on point difference.
Currently the Blues has the worst point difference of the three, making their path to safety the hardest should they lose.
What’s at Stake
There is a lot more than pride on the line in Round 7. Promotion to the FNB Varsity Cup, semi-final matchups, home ground advantage, and relegation survival will all be decided this week. With rivalries renewed and pressure at its peak, every point, every bonus, and every moment will matter.
It’s set to be a thrilling finish to the FNB Varsity Shield round-robin stage.
By Seabass Prevost
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