The Baby Blues stunned defending champions FNB Maties in the FNB Varsity Cup Women’s opener at the Danie Craven Stadium. Last year’s finalists FNB UP-Tuks produced a polished second-half display to overcome the Orange Army and in Durban the UKZN Impi  beat the University Of the Western Cape.

FNB Maties 5 – 19 FNB UFH Women

The Varsity Cup Women’s competition kicked off with a 14-point victory for UFH Women who stunned Maties 19 – 5 in Stellenbosch on Friday. The visitors piled on the pressure forcing Maties into some uncharacteristic errors. That pressure resulted in a UFH scrum inside Stellenbosch’s 22’ which saw them double their lead and go into the break with a 14-0 lead. The second half saw Maties struggling to get a grip on the game, while the visiting side made the most of their opportunities, showing a free-flowing style of rugby to take all the points. 

Scorers:
FNB Maties Women: (0) 5 Tries: Palesa Matee

FNB UFH Women: (14) 19 Tries: Cwenga Joni X2, Sindisiwe Mbonja

FNB Player of the Match: Cwenga Joni (FNB UFH Women)

Teams:
FNB Maties Women: Lekobane Masebe, Sesethu Dumke, Sesethu Ntamnani, Sarah Krone, Catherine Coetzee, Stefney-Rose De Vries, Khanyisile Mpingane, Palesa Matee, Taliyah Bussack, Ankia Viljoen, Tiana van Wyk, Jenna Meyer, Mijean Fryer, Mmanthopeng Thopola, Wendy Lewak.

FNB UFH Women: Mila Wawa, Aphiwe Nqana, Eyam Ngalo, Lilitha Ngwenze, Masie Mathangane, Thokozani Sikela, Simamnkele Jolingana, Rose Haka, Sindisiwe Mbonja, Inga Qogi, Cwenga Joni, Lilitha Vakalisa, Sibabalwe Jobo, Siyolise Mbilase, Litha Tofu.

 

FNB UJ Women 7 – 19 FNB UP-Tuks Women 

FNB UP-Tuks delivered a polished second half performance to down FNB UJ Women in Johannesburg on Friday. The match started 30 minutes late due to lightning and bad weather forced both sides to change their game plans. The hosts had a perfect start and opened the scoring in the fourth minute, where after the game slowed down until UP-Tuks responded in the 18th minute. The rain continued to pour down in the second half, and it was neck and neck for most parts of the half.  UJ tried to fight back but UP-Tuks defended well in tough, wet conditions to win their first game of the tournament. 

Scorers:
FNB UJ Women: (7) 7 Tries: Thabisile Zungu.

FNB UP-Tuks Women: (14) 14 Tries: Kwanga Majebe, Precious Tlaka, Lidene Kruger.

FNB Player of the Match: Precious Tlaka (FNB UJ Women)

Teams:
FNB UJ Women: Vuyiswa Dlamini, Salizwa Tyali, Alutha Ngcezula, Limamkele Duma, Lethiwe Buthelezi, Siyanda Mtsweni, Ntandoyenkosi Nhleko, Amber Howell, Risper Mgwenya, Siham Chtioui, Erica Ekeji, Thabisile Zungu, Sindiswa Ngwenya, Boitumelo Motshoane, Hlobisile Mbatha.

FNB UP-Tuks Women: Cassidy Jacobs, Aphiwe Masuku, Ox Xholi, Itumeleng Malala, Mbali Ndlovu, Thando Mokatse, Angelique Ross-Allen, Gugu Mncwabe, Erin Prins, Precious Tlaka, Tesmeque Maritz, Lidene Kruger, Abigail de Jager, Anele Mgwazela, Kwanga Majebe.

 

FNB UKZN Women 14 – 10 FNB UWC Women

The IMPI Ladies drew first blood in their clash with UWC Women, after a series of attacking plays. A try which was beautifully converted by Sphesihle Fihlela gave the home team the lead. Despite keeping up the pressure, no further points were scored and UKZN led 7 – 0 at the break. The second half began with the visitors looking more dangerous and they scored twice to take the score to 7-10. UKZN Women came back to steal the match with a scrum with less than 5 minutes of play left and hung on to claim victory in the most dramatic way.

Scorers:
FNB UKZN Women: (7) 14 Tries: Dimpho Mogashoa, Siphokuhle Mdletshe

FNB UWC Women: (0) 10 Tries: Davedine March, Lee-Amber Beukes

FNB Player of the Match: Sphesihle Fihlela (FNB UKZN)

Teams:
FNB UKZN Women: Sandulelo Nyawose, Nonduduzo Yengwa, Siphokuhle Mdletshe, Zama Mbeje, Lulama Cele, Athiphile Njiyela, Teddy Gatyana, Hlekane Baloyi, Asanda Mnyandu, Snethemba Mzimela, Charmaine Mogashoa, Mahlogonolo Nkoane, Bokamoso Mokali, Tshepiso Maseme, Sphesihle Fihlela.

FNB UWC Women: Sange Makhwezela, Jada, Davids, Jessica Mare, Kaylee Daniels, Ivanche Gerritsen, Samukelisiwe Mjweni, Yanelisa Plaatjie, Akhona Nkosi, Fatouma Yalcoue, Marli George, Davedine March, Abongwe Vilane, Ronecia Gordon, Lee-Amber Beukes, Nandile Mvandaba.

You can check out fixtures, results and the log HERE

Buy your tickets for future matches HERE

Courtesy Varsity Cup