Bloemfontein witnessed a landmark moment in South African sport on Monday night as a solar-powered airship soared above the stadium during the opening clash of the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup between FNB UFS Shimlas and FNB Maties. In a world first the Stellenbosch-developed Cloudline Sc-240, the first commercially available solar-powered airship in its class, circled the stadium for over 10 hours using solar-recharged batteries and helium, with zero carbon emissions.

The striking aerial presence elevated an already electric atmosphere as Shimlas and Maties battled it out on the field. It was also marked with an historic moment in the tournament’s history, as the first-ever powerplay (tap) tries were scored by the visitors from the Cape Winelands. Despite this early breakthrough, Shimlas finished with a bonus-point 50-39 victory over the FNB Maties in Bloemfontein.

Scorers:
FNB UFS Shimlas: (21) 50
Tries: Kirwin du Preez (POR), Wynard Botha (POR), Jaco Bezuidenhout X2, Maynard Kleynhans (POR), Liam Shamburg.

FNB Maties: (17) 39
Tries: Fortune Mpofu, Rynhardt van der Linden, CJ Marx (powerplay), Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Armand Combrinck, CJ Erasmus, Zuko Poswa.

FNB Player of the Match: Liam Shamburg (FNB UFS Shimlas)

Teams:
FNB UFS Shimlas: Shaun Ray, Kirwin du Preez, Wynand Botha, Freddie Dreyer, Siviwe Zondani, Bradley Giddy (captain), Alastair-Cole Vermeulen, Liam Shamburg, Sandile Nzuza, Henri van Heerden, Maynard Kleynhans, Arno Van der Merwe, Ongeziwe Mobo, Jacobus Bezuidenhout, Ox Ngema.

FNB Maties: Elridge Jack, Rynhardt van der Linden, Ryan Manuel, CJ Marx, Huhgo Van Zitters, Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Ezekiel Ngobeni (captain), Ethan Snyman, Luan Botha, Fortune Mpofu, Luke Swartz, Zuko Poswa, Keanuh Michaels, Armand Combrinck, Janlu Basson.

 

Brief scores from the other first round clashes: 

FNB UP-Tuks 38 – 22 FNB UCT Ikeys

Scorers: 
FNB UP-Tuks: (28) 38
Tries: Dillon Smith (POR), Andile Myeni X2, Abel Pretorius, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Hopewell Ntshangase.

FNB UCT Ikeys: (17) 22
Tries: Lezane Davis, Jack Benade, Aidan Norris.

FNB Player of the Match: Divan Du Toit (FNB UP-Tuks)

Teams:
FNB UP-Tuks: MJ Nel, Ruan van Blommestein, Jayd Austin, Oelof De Meyer, David Engongo, Abel Pretorius, Akhona Kunene, Dillon Smith (C), Chad-Lee Valentine, Divan Du Toit, Munashe Dukuswa, Christiaan Vlok, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Andile Myeni, Hopewell Ntshangase.

FNB UCT Ikeys: Mathew Beckett, Nic Van Schalkwyk, Zuka Phiko, Ndiao Enos ©, Gordon Connor Jack, Nyali Xola, De Costa Aiden, Louw Isaiah, Daars Monray, Vermeulen Alex, Davis Lezane, Kritzinger Luke, Davis Kian, Benade Jack, Mokoena Setshaba.

 

FNB UJ 61 – 41 FNB Emeris

Scorers:
FNB UJ: (19) 61
Tries: Ughan Africa, Reuven Ferreira, Thabang Mphafi, Nicallen Gabrielsen, Kamo Molefe, Ryan Marimo, Josh Du Toit X2, Tholithemba Sobisi.

FNB Emeris: (21) 41
Tries: Jacques Marais X2, Nkazimulo Mzolo X2, Juan Orde Steyl X2, Edward Sigauke.

FNB Player of the Match: Zian Cilliers (FNB UJ)

Teams:
FNB UJ: Sifiso Magwaza, Ryan Marimo, Bian Janse van Rensburg, Thabo Mashigo, Juan Fourie, Toy Engelbercht, Josh Du Toit, Thabang Mphafi ©, Zian Cilliers, Nicallen Gabrielsen, Zenkosi Mthiyane, Reuven Ferreira, Exauce Kevani, Vaughan Africa, JT Kapank.

FNB Emeris: Christoff Etzebeth, Jacques Marais ©, Nathi Ntuli, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Kuhle Mthimkhulu, Andrew Davis, Sinelifa Ncwana, Juan Orde Steyl, Abande Mthembu, Frederick Marx, Edward Sigauke, Mambo Mkhize, Chris Horak, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Chijindu Okota.

 

FNB CUT 42 – 59 FNB NWU Eagles

Scorers:
FNB CUT: (34) 42
Tries: Jade Muller, Winton Abrahams, Raydon Swartbooi, Malcolm Lamont, Emlyhn Jacobs.

FNB NWU Eagles: (24) 59
Tries: Jordan Mcloughlin X2, Therlow Prins X3, Luyolo Doyi, Stephan Krugel, Guhan Du Bois, Hanro Venter.

FNB Player of the Match: Kehan Myburgh (FNB CUT)

Teams:
FNB CUT: Devinto Vergotine, Jade Muller, Matthys Corneluis Malan, Kutlo Seyoko, Kehan Myburgh, Raydon Swartbooi, Hope Seyaga, Oyama Frans, Jordan Davids, Durandt Van Aswegen, Jean Louis Theron, Malcolm Lamont, Tokelo Ntaopane (captain), Jan- Hendrik Bessenger.

FNB NWU Eagles: Luan Van der Walt, Luyolo Doyi, Matthew Fortuin, Aiden De Villiers, Therlow Prins, MJ Mostert, Njabulo Dladla, Sean Roulston, Tian Van Zyl, Ricardo Fourie, Stephan Krugel (captain), Raniel Turner, Jason Oosthuizen, Jordan Mcloughlin, Alethwa Buthelezi.

 

Round two will be played on Monday February 23.

You can check the log and all upcoming fixtures: HERE

Buy your tickets: HERE

Courtesy Varsity Cup