Excitement bubbled to the surface in the FNB Varsity Cup Round 4 on Monday, March 10 as FNB NWU Eagles shocked the defending champions FNB UFS Shimlas at Fanie Du Toit Sports Ground. The FNB UP-Tuks ran riot over FNB CUT at CUT Park in Bloemfontein while FNB UCT Ikeys scored all their tries against FNB Wits at Green Mile. The night also saw a victory for FNB Maties over FNB UJ at UJ Stadium.
FNB CUT 26-63 FNB UP-Tuks
According to a media statement, the FNB UP-Tuks ran riot in the second half at CUT Park in Bloemfontein on Monday, March 10 as they returned to winning ways in the FNB Varsity Cup by defeating FNB CUT 63-26. The first half was a tightly contested affair, with the lead changing hands multiple times. However, in the second stanza, the visitors turned on the style to claim a convincing win against the team that had beaten them in Bloemfontein two years ago. FNB UP-Tuks were the first to get on the scoreboard following a massive 22m gain from a lineout maul, which resulted in FNB CUT collapsing and left the referee with no option but to award a penalty try. Their joy was short-lived, though, as Ixias hooker Tokelo Ntaopane powered over for a converted try just minutes later, also from a lineout maul after a penalty. Winger Munashe Dukuswa then put FNB UP-Tuks back in the lead by scoring in the corner, but FNB CUT responded once again, with Clive Hartzenberg flying over for a point-of-origin try, sparked by Adielson Gouveia deep in their own half. On the stroke of half-time, the Tuks hooker crossed the whitewash to put the team from the capital city ahead 19-14 at the break. The second half opened up significantly, and in the early exchanges, both Edwin Till and Dukuswa completed their respective braces, stretching the lead to 17 points. While Leon Franzsen and Jordan Davids managed to score for the hosts, it was one-way traffic from the five-time champions, Chad-Lee Valentine, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, and Lilitha Matsiliza all adding their names to the scoresheet. The Ixias put up a valiant fight, but they simply didn’t have enough to stop FNB UP-Tuks from exacting revenge. Haydn Kemp of the FNB UP-Tuks was named the FNB Player that Rocks.
FNB NWU Eagles 59-14 FNB UFS Shimlas
FNB NWU Eagles secured their second consecutive victory with a dominant performance against FNB Varsity Cup defending champions FNB UFS Shimlas at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground. The Eagles got off to a strong start, with Stehan Heymans slotting a penalty in the third minute. However, they spent the next 15 minutes under pressure as Shimlas applied relentless attacks. They managed to extend their lead when Nico Liversage crossed the try line after a well-timed offload from Matthew Fortuin, with Heymans successfully adding the conversion. Just before halftime, Ricardo Fourie’s try in the 37th minute secured a commanding 15-0 advantage for the home side. The Eagles continued their dominance early in the second half, extending their lead to 22-0 in the 47th minute when Guhan Du Bois dotted down after a patient attacking build-up, finishing off an offload from Stephan Krugel. Heymans added the conversion. Five minutes later, Tian van Zyl sprinted down the wing to score after receiving a well-timed offload from Naiden Jaarts, with Heymans once again slotting the extra points to make it 29-0. Shimlas finally responded in the 55th minute when Nkoka Ngobe powered through the Eagles’ defence from close range to score, and Tiaan Kriek converted, narrowing the gap to 29-7. The Eagles continued their relentless attack in the 66th minute when Isrome Phatudi crossed the try line after a brilliant solo run from Schalk Van Schalkwyk, extending the lead to 36-7. Just three minutes later, Van Schalkwyk capitalised on a quick turnover to score his try, with Stehan Heymans adding the conversion to make it 43-7. The Eagles struck again in the 71st minute when Van der Walt intercepted the ball in his half and sprinted to the try line, with Heymans once again slotting the extra points for a commanding 52-7 lead. Shimlas managed to hit back in the 73rd minute as Liam Shamburg powered through the Eagles’ defence to score, narrowing the gap to 52-14. However, the home side had the final say when Indiphile Tyeda raced down the wing to add another try in the 75th minute, with Heymans converting to seal a dominant 59-14 victory for FNB NWU. Luan van der Walt of the NWU Eagles was named the FNB Player that Rocks.
FNB UJ 7-25 FNB Maties
FNB UJ’s search for their first win of the FNB Varsity Cup 2025 season continued as they fell short in Round 4 against FNB Maties, losing 25-7 in a hard-fought encounter. FNB Maties flanker Ryan Manuel broke the deadlock, crossing over for the visitors’ first try. Their captain, Ezekiel Ngobeni, soon followed suit, adding another try to put his team firmly in control. FNB UJ had opportunities to respond but missed crucial chances to narrow the deficit, unable to capitalise on FNB Maties’ failed conversion attempts. As the Stellenbosch-based side’s lead expanded, FNB UJ struggled to make any headway, with Maties’ defence proving to be strong. Time and again, FNB UJ pushed for the line, only to fall short in the final meters. The home side finally got on the scoreboard thanks to a penalty try, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Maties’ dominance. In a dramatic turn of events, FNB Maties’ Fortune Mpofu was initially sent to the sin bin, and upon his return to the field, he barely had time to settle before being sent off again after being struck in the eye. With this loss, FNB UJ’s winless run in the competition continued, while FNB Maties showed their clinical edge, keeping their FNB Varsity Cup campaign on track. Ezekiel Ngobeni of the FNB Maties was named the FNB Player that Rocks.
FNB UCT Ikeys 73-17 FNB Wits
The statement added that the FNB UCT Ikeys delivered a scintillating first-half performance to thrash FNB Wits 73-17 at the Green Mile. The home side needed to be solid at the back in the early exchanges with Wits starting brightest. It took just 10 minutes for the opening try of the game, which was scored by Ikeys’ captain, Keagan Blanckenberg. The Ikeys were relentless in the first half, and they ran in three tries inside the opening 20 minutes, which was made a bit easier by Tirhani Masondo’s yellow card after 18 minutes. By the 27th minute, FNB UCT had already secured a bonus point as they ran in six first-half tries to go 45-0 up at the break. The second period continued in the same fashion, as UCT dotted down four minutes after the restart. The away team responded a minute later, but the mountain was too big for FNB Wits to climb. The visitors refused to lie down despite the scoreboard constantly ticking in favour of FNB UCT. Substitutions may have disrupted the Ikeys’ momentum as they ended up conceding a total of three tries by the final whistle. FNB UCT, however, will be happy with the fact they ran in ten tries in a 56-point drubbing of FNB Wits. Keagan Blanckenberg of the FNB UCT Ikeys was named the FNB Player that Rocks.