Round 2 of the FNB Varsity Cup kicked off on a high as Gauteng derby saw UP-Tuks defeating fellow neighbours UJ at Tuks Stadium. In Free State, CUT and Shimlas were victorious over UCT Ikeys and Wits respectively while Maties stole the show at Fanie Du Toit Sports Ground over NWU Eagles.
UP-Tuks 37 – 29 UJ
It took the home side only two minutes to open the scoring with the skipper Dillon Smith dotting it down. As their return to top flight varsity rugby after being relegated two seasons ago, the Stripe Generation was not going to have it easy against UJ but it was a one-sided affair with UJ struggling to break out of their half.
Scorers:
UP-Tuks: 37 (14)
Tries: Dillon Smith, Oelof de Meyer, Kamohelo Tlome, Josh Du Toit and Roald Hatting.
UJ: 29 (8)
Tries: Asemhle Mafenyana, Alzeadon Felix (POR), Ughan Africa.
FNB Player That Rocks: Kobus Janse van Rensburg (UP-Tuks).
Teams:
UP-Tuks: MJ Nel, Allister Williams, Bom Louw, Oelof de Meyer, Roald Hattingh, Kamohelo Tlome, Cayno February, Dillon Smith ©, Chad-Lee Valentine, JP Wentzel, Munashe Dukuswa, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Christiaan Vlok, Ambesa Zenzile, Tharquinn Manuel.
UJ: Angelo Dube, Ryan Marimo, Ali Gqaza, Neil Hansen, Josh du Toit, Siyemukela Ndlovu ©, Dylan Viljoen, Kamo Molefe, Berwyn Bosch, Alzeadon Felix, Ughan Africa, Reuven Ferreira, Adriano Jackson, Asemahle Mafenyana, Onela Blaauw.
UFS Shimlas 59 – 29 Wits
The defending champions, the UFS Shimlas, secured their first win of the Varsity Cup 2025 in Bloemfontein. Despite the runaway scoreline, the visitors from Johannesburg made them work for the win, especially in the second half. While Wits fought bravely, the damage had already been done in the opening 40 minutes, and Shimlas could take a lot of confidence from their opening blitzkrieg.
Scorers:
Shimlas: 59 (43)
Tries: Liam Shamburg (point-of-origin), Ntokozo Hlope (point-of-origin), Regan Izaks (point-of-origin), Reinier Viljoen (point-of-origin), Alwich van der Linde, Stiaan Genis (point-of-origin), Ramon Uys.
Wits: 29 (14)
Tries: Setshaba Mokoena, Drew Bennet, Ngia Selengbe, Lindani Dweba 2.
FNB Player That Rocks: Ramon Uys (Shimlas)
Teams:
FNB Shimlas: Ntokozo Hlophe, Vice Hofmeyer, Ben Pitout, Reinier Viljoen, Juan Venter, Ramon Uys, Henri van Heerden, Liam Shamburg, Hlumelo Klaas, Tiaan Kriek, Siviwe Zondani, Alwich van der Linde, Nkoka Ngobe ©, Kirwin du Preez, Regan Izaks.
FNB Wits: Ricardo Brandao, Justin Amos, Sibusiso Shongwe, Kgoposto Matlena, Thinus Oosthuizen, Joshua van Vreden, Christopher Kachungunu, Thomas Beling, Drew Bennet, Tireque Apolles, Ngia Selengbe, Setshaba Mokena, Liyema Matyolweni, Dustyn Holmes, Tirhani Masondo.
CUT 23 – 19 UCT Ikeys
A back-and-forth game unfolded in Bloemfontein as the FNB CUT Ixias hosted the FNB UCT Ikeys. Right from the kick-off, the FNB Ixias felt the pressure from the visiting side. The home side’s solid early defence and stellar breakdown play helped them hold off the early charge. In a match marred by errors, Ixias showed great resolve to hang on to a historic win, beating the men from Cape Town for the first time.
Scorers:
CUT 23 (14)
Tries: Devinto Vergotine, Adielson Gouveia, Sisipho Nofuya.
UCT Ikeys 19 (7)
Tries: Duran Koevort, Kian Davis, Ntokozo Makhaza.
FNB Player That Rocks: Jakobus Cloete (CUT).
Teams:
CUT: Jan Hendrick Bessenger, Tokelo Ntaopane, Sisispho Nofuya, Asekho Marubelela, Kevin Strydom, JT van der Walt, Jakobus Cloete, Francois Bester ©, Raydon Swartboi, Juan Smith, Adielson Gouveia, Liam Prinsloo, Zchery Bester, Clive Harzenberg, Devinto Vergotine.
UCT Ikeys: Mhleli Khuzwayo, Keagan Blanckenberg, Bryan le Roux, Enos Ndiao, Keena Mills, Sipho Dyonase ©, Conno Jack Gordon, Aidan Norris, Asad Moosa, Alex Vermeulen, Ntokozo Makhaza, Thomas Nel, Kian Davis, Rethabile Louw, Duran Koevort.
NWU Eagles 27 – 29 Maties
FNB Maties upset FNB NWU Eagles in a close-fought encounter at the Fanie du Toit Sportsground. A man of the match performance by Maties’ flyhalf Christiaan van Heerden Smith inspired the away side to a victory. Maties showed character, with a try from Ryan Manuel and Fortune Mpofu giving them a 20-22 lead heading into halftime. While things were close fought in the second half, a penalty for the Eagles in the last minute of the game, ensured that Maties walked away with all the points.
Scorers:
NWU Eagles: 27 (20)
Tries: Isrome Phatudi, Naiden Jaarts, Duvan du Toit.
Maties: 29 (22)
Tries: Grant de Jager, Ryan Manuel, Fortune Mpofu, Ezekiel Ngobeni.
FNB Player That Rocks: Christiaan van Heerden Smith (Maties).
Teams:
NWU Eagles: Alethwa Buthelezi, Chyle van Zyl, Ntobeko Shezi, Tsepo Tlaka, Stephan Krugel ©, Guhan du Bois, Tian van Zyl, Sean Roulston, Divan du Toit, Stehan Heymans, Joubert Schoeman, Isrome Phatudi, Matthew Fortuin, Naiden Jaarts, Luan van der Walt.
Maties: Prince Mulea, Armand Combrink, Herman Lubbe, Zuko Poswa, Carel van der Merwe, Fortune Mpofu, Luan Botha, Ethan Snyman, Ezekiel Ngobeni ©, Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Grant de Jager, CJ Marx, Ryan Manuel, Joel Leotlela, Elridge Jack.
You can find all the fixtures, results and the log: HERE
Buy your tickets for the next round: HERE
Courtesy Varsity Cup and Varsity Sports
