Round 1 of the Varsity Football 2025 campaign kicked off with a bang. Returning giants Wits made a statement with a 4-1 thrashing of CUT in Johannesburg. TUT edged DUT 1-0 at the iconic Harry Gwala Stadium, while UJ and NWU couldn’t be separated in a tightly contested draw. At Tuks Stadium, UP-Tuks and UFS shared the spoils in a goalless stalemate.

Wits 4 – 1 CUT
Wits Men’s Football marked their return to the Varsity Football tournament in style, securing a dominant 4-1 victory over CUT Men’s Football at Wits Rugby Stadium. Back after a two-year absence in the campaign, Wits sent a clear message with a powerful performance. The match was intense from the start, with both teams creating scoring opportunities and the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the home side, while CUT was reduced to 10 men after Malefetsane Doctor Matale received a red card. Wits took full control in the second half, dictating the tempo finding the back of the net three more times. CUT pulled one back late in the match with a consolation goal but it was not enough to change the outcome.

Scorers:
Wits: Tebogo Masemola, Sfiso Mlondo, Mxolisi Mthiya, Simphiwe Mabena.

CUT: Nkosingiphile Lubisi.

Player of the Match: Kgwadi Molepo (Wits)

Teams:
Wits: Lwando Mvinjana, Obakeng Leping, Kahil Cloete, Tshepo Mothiba,Reabetswe Modise, Kwadi Molepo,Tebogo Masemola, Prince Manku Simphiwe Mabena, Lesedi Thabo Mphaki, Sfiso Mlondo, Mxolisi Mthiya, Thato Puswane.

CUT: Siseko Faku, Thabang Mokoena, Siyabonga Mzelem, Khotso Mphene, Alwande Sibiya, Polokelo Letlema, Tiisetso Mpholoane, Tshepo Lekoro, Boeletsang Restoration Rar,Mzwakhe Shabalala.

 

UJ 1 – 1 NWU
A chilly Johannesburg evening provided the perfect backdrop for a thrilling Varsity Football 2025 season opener. With a packed stadium and buzzing crowd, the energy was electric from the first whistle. The home side, UJ, wasted no time in igniting the crowd, scoring in just the third minute. In the second half, both teams traded attacks in a tense battle. The substitutions made by both coaches proved impactful, especially for NWU. Their efforts paid off in the 89th minute when Molemo Kukama found the back of the net, levelling the score at 1-1 and the teams went home with a point each.

Scorers:
UJ: Thabo Moshikere

NWU: Molemo Kukama

Player of the Match: Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza (UJ)

Teams:
UJ: Lungelo Sithole, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Tumelo Machete, Yasidu Lifa, Thabo Moshikere, Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza, Ndabezinhle Nkosi, Teboho Makhalanyane, Keletso Sekhwela, Karabo Modisane, and Tokoloho Modisane.

NWU: Ethan Mokwena, Knowledge Muleya, Lucky Letwaba, Aphelele Wandile Sibisi, Lucas Seromo, Pascual Tivane, Thapelo Letsholonyane, Momelezi Mngati, Xalani Masethi, Ranonyane Mmutlane, and Reatlegile Kgosithebe.

 

DUT 0 – 1 TUT
The iconic Harry Gwala Stadium set the stage for DUT Men’s Football official Varsity Football debut game, as they faced off against TUT Men’s Football in a highly anticipated clash. It didn’t take long for TUT to settle, as the Red Machine struck just seven minutes into the game. The match continued at a competitive pace, with DUT boosted by a packed stadium of home supporters. Both sides had opportunities, but none were converted before the break. he second half kicked off with intensity. DUT came close to equalising through a powerful strike by Iviwe Sodidi, only to be denied by an outstanding save. The battle remained fierce until the final whistle, but TUT held firm, using their composure to secure a hard-fought 1–0 victory in their season opener.

Scorer:
TUT: Precious Mohale

Player of the Match: Sphesihle Mazibuko (TUT)

Teams:
DUT: Kwanele Mtolo, Luyanda Ntuli, Nkululeko Nkosi, Xolani Mkhonza, Sifundo Ngema, Kwanele Vilakazi, Sbonelo Ngidi, Cebani Ngidi, Iviwe Sodidi, Ayanda Kunene.

TUT: Luvanda Mandindi, Lehlomo Tolo, Mekdiwe Ncenya, Surprise Khoza, Alan Moja, Sphesihle Mazibuko, Katlego Sphamandla Motihale, Lindokuhle Nyandeni, Lucky Raphala, Glen Mashimbye, Precious Radithomo Mohale.

 

UP-Tuks 0 – 0 UFS
UP-Tuks Men’s Football and UFS Men’s Football ended their opening Varsity Football clash in a goalless draw. Hosting the match at a packed Tuks Stadium, the home team felt the pressure to impress, while UFS came determined to prove a point. The first half was intense, with Tuks showing more hunger and creating the early chances to break the deadlock. The teams went into halftime locked at 0-0 after a frustrating first half. Nicholas Stothard’s team came out strong after halftime, with Matome Rangata’s pace and Camagu Mdevulana’s precise passing threatening UFS. Despite hitting the post twice,Tuks couldn’t break through. UFS’s solid defense held firm, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw in front of a packed Tuks Stadium.

Player Of the match: Damian Overmeyer (UP-Tuks)

Teams:
UP-Tuks: Leathan Croats, Khotatso Balepile, Edward Rankwe, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Damian Overmeyer, Nkosana Shabalala, Camagu Mdevulana, Joshua Wood, Matome Rangata, Raymond Tshwane Matlamela, Samukelo Ngodela, Quintin Stokes-Waller.

UFS: Lethokuhle Makhaya, Ben Kraai, Philani Zondi, Samkelo Nakedi, Xolani Mqwathi, Iviwe Dyabuza, Tshepo Ndlovu, Jose Mondi, Jarome Jansen, Kagiso Semenya, Adolph Radingoana.

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