The 2025 FNB Varsity Shield kicked off in spectacular fashion, with teams delivering thrilling performances across the board.

Debutants FNB SPU stole the spotlight with a dramatic 41-37 victory over FNB UKZN, while FNB Varsity College overpowered FNB Madibaz 40-14.

FNB UWC and FNB CPUT entertained their home crowds with emphatic wins, setting the stage for an action-packed season ahead.

FNB Varsity College 40-14 FNB Madibaz

It was a game of vengeance on the books as the visiting team FNB Madibaz had a score to settle with the team that knocked them out in last year’s semi finals.

The home team, FNB Varsity College, drew first blood after 11 minutes as they managed to wrestle a good try from a line-out drill, one of the star players in the team, vice-captain, Jacques Marais was at the end of the try. Fly-half, Frederick Marx hit the woodwork and failed to convert. 5-0 to FNB Varsity College.

The match was a very physical end-to-end as both teams cancelled each other out to keep the scoreboard unmoved.

The FNB Comets got another try in as the defensive work of Madibaz was again broken down when Marx offloaded a beautiful assist to Chandler Green who went over the line out wide. The fly-half converted successfully the second time out.

The men from PE marked their presence in the match some minutes from the break as Sean Van Zijl caught the defense of the home team unaware running over a try, fly-half Conrad Raashied his teammate converting from a close range. The match went to the end of the first stanza with Varsity College leading 12-7.

The home team didn’t waste any time into the second half as an entertaining full sprint from their eighth-man Johnathan Horak extended their lead fly-half making sure the score extended further to 19-7.

Madibaz scored their second and final try through Kyle Erasmus who gave the away team a glimpse of hope to move his team into 14 points.

It was a stream of tries then onwards from the Comets as Daniel Van Huizen, captain Abanye Mthembu and Jacques Marais all added points to complete the slaughter of the men from Madibaz. Marx succeeded in all remaining conversions which also tipped him for the Player that Rocks award to end the match on 40-14 to Varsity College.

 SCORERS 

FNB Varsity College 40 (12):

Tries: Jacques Marais 2, Chandler Green, Jonathan Horak, Daniel van Huizen, Abande Mthembu,

 FNB Madibaz 14 (7):

Tries: Sean Van Zijl, Kyle Erasmus,

 FNB Player That Rocks: Frederick Marx (Varsity College)

 TEAMS:

Varsity College: Abande Mthembu (c), Anwill Prins, Cade Latham, Chandler Green, Danie Van Huizen, Enzo Van Niekerk, Frederick Marx, Garre Muller, Jacques Marais, Jonathan Horak, Mambo Mkhize, Mbuso Kweyama, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Robert Everson, Sinelifa Ncwana.

Madibaz: Raashied Conrad, AJ Flemming, Imibongo Mvuleni, Lwando Davane, Kyle Erasmus, Dewald Gerber, Calvin Bosch, Sean Van Zijl, De Wet Goedhals, Leon van der Merwe, Curwin Casper, Layron Milborrow, Edward Kruger, Mvelo Fipaza, Bukho Pantsi.

FNB SPU 41-37 FNB UKZN

The FNB Sol Plaatje University (SPU) secured a hard-fought 41-37 victory over FNB UKZN in their clash at Suzuki Park in Kimberley.

The match saw both teams battling fiercely, with momentum swinging back and forth throughout the contest. UKZN struck first when Siso France slotted an early penalty to put them 3-0 ahead, but SPU’s Khanya Kama quickly responded with a penalty of his own, levelling the score at 3-3.

UKZN’s Jordan Ramsamy powered over from a rolling maul, with France adding the conversion. Tumelo Papane hit back for SPU with a well-taken try, followed by a successful conversion. UKZN’s Wela-Aphumelele Takata then crossed the line, with France making no mistake from the tee.

SPU turned up the heat as Jan Potgieter and Leslie Ruiters dotted down, with Kama converting once and adding a penalty to give SPU a narrow 22-20 lead at halftime.

The second half saw UKZN’s Zak Smith pounce for a quick try, but SPU’s Liyabona Maplanga responded with a brilliant solo effort, levelling the score at 27-27. Jaiden Faviers then powered over, with Kama adding the extras. UKZN kept fighting, as Nhlakanipho Bithelezi scored with France slotted another penalty, before adding a stunning drop goal to keep the visitors in touch at 37-34.

Faviers sealed the deal with a late try under the posts, with Kama’s conversion securing the 41-37 win.

 SCORERS

FNB SPU 41 (22):

Tries: Tumelo Papane, Jan Potgieter, Liyabona Maplanga, Jaiden Faviers 2.

 FNB UKZN 37 (20):

Tries: Jordan Ramsamy, Wela-Aphumelele Takata, Zak Smith, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi.

 FNB Player That Rocks: Khanya Kama (SPU)

 TEAMS:

SPU: Aviwe Mpopo, Jan Potgieter, Cassie Botes, Kwando Dlamini, Tumelo Papane, Tyrone China, Sello Maketlo (Captain), Gareth Maree, Ethen Manus, Leslie Ruiters, Raees Sahabodien, Khanya Kama, Jayden Faviers (Vice/Captain), Liyabona Maplanga, Bokamoso Maphisa.

UKZN: Siyanda Dlamini, Jordan Ramsay, Owethu Mntwelizwe, Samkelo Mkhize, Mthomboyolo Buzani (c), Nhlankanipho Buthelezi, Wela Takata, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Zak Smith, Siso France, Luthando Mhlongo, Russel Fick, Singele Mkhize, Ramutuku Masiteng, Jowan Visagie.

 FNB UWC 50-33 FNB WSU

 FNB UWC comfortably overcame FNB WSU 50-33 at UWC Stadium. It was a high scoring match in Cape Town with both sides playing attacking rugby, and not afraid to give the ball some air. UWC scored five first-half tries to open up a 33-14 lead at the break.

WSU captain Lukhangele Tshayi kicked three first half penalties to keep his side in the hunt but ultimately, tries by Keno Alexander, J’que Huckins, Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, Leachim Adams and Marciano Forbes saw the home side take a big lead into the break.

UWC picked up where they left off in the first half with persistent pressure on the WSU tryline. Tight head prop Keanuh Michaels goes over after a smart pick up and drive.

Replacement UWC loose forward Danston Cloete scores with his first touch of the match. A rampaging five metre scrum sees Cloete pick up and dot the ball down. Outside centre J’que Huckins gets his second try of the evening. WSU try to attack from their own tryline but a loose pass is intercepted by the nimble Huckins who goes over untouched.

WSU scored three late tries by Khanyo Solani, Axola Mtalana and Qhayiya Makhalima to flatten the scoreline but they were well outplayed by the home team.

SCORERS

FNB UWC 50 (33):

TRY: J’que Huckins 2, Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, Leachim Adams, Marciano Forbes, Keanuh Michaels, Dantson Cloete, Keno Alexander.

FNB WSU 33 (14):

TRY: Mangaliso Zixesha, Qhayiya Makhalima, Axola Mtalana, Khanyo Solani.

FNB Player That Rocks: Nicholas Chipanje (UWC)

TEAMS:

UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Marciano Forbes, Keanuh Michaels, Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, Michail, Kasfikis, Romauld Nsombamanya ©, Nicholas Chipanje, Leighton Damon, Conwill Conradie, Aaron Swartz, Leachim Adams, Elkan Willemse, J’que Huckins, Keith Syster, Keno Alexander.

WSU: Yanda Ndamase, Mangaliso Zixesha, Yoyisa Mahobe, Luvo Zindela, Siseko Mani, Hlomla Payi, Siya Ncapayi, Khanya Solani, Thembela Folo, Isiphe Mbini, Asisipho Jim, Glen-Lihn Tromp, Axola Mtalana, Bulelani Nondlwana, Lukhangele Tshayi ©.

 FNB CPUT 41-10 FNB UFH

 SCORERS

FNB CPUT 41 (17):

TRY: Noah Pekeur, Ox Ngema, Bongani Gumbi, Keewan Titus.

 FNB UFH 10 (10):

TRY: Bunono Jamani

FNB Player That Rocks: Iwaan Bloys (CPUT)

 TEAMS:

CPUT: Ox Ngema, Lihle Kula, Kieran Naidoo ©, Ntsako Mhlanga, Nqaba Nkonyeni, Praveen Padayachiey, Lathitha Ratsibe, Denley Adams, Jayson January, Oyintando Maseti, Noah Pekeur, Timothy Shortles, Iwaan Bloys, Bongani Gumbi, Keano Cookson.

UFH: Samkelo Nzima ©, Bunono Jamani, Mbasa Mabele, Liyema Hlitane, Kamvelihle Gcweka, Yanga Gazi, Mpho Ramahala, Anda Simanga, Abongile Yeye, Sinalo Jivana, Bulumko Mfundisi, Lisolethu Jali, Lutho Mene, Mziyabulela Bathu, Sibusiso Javu.

This article was supplied by Karina van den Heever.