In the opening round of FNB Varsity Shield 2025, newcomers FNB SPU clutched a dramatic late winner against FNB UKZN in a hotly contested try-fest in Kimberley while FNB Varsity College got a flying start over FNB Madibaz. Both Cape Town teams were victorious as FNB UWC outplayed FNB WSU at home while FNB CPUT roared on home turf.
FNB Varsity College 40-14 FNB Madibaz
It was a game of vengeance on the books as the visiting Madibaz had a score to settle with the team that knocked them out in last year's semi-finals.
The home team, 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 but flyhalf Frederick Marx hit the woodwork and failed to convert.
The match was a very physical end-to-end as both teams cancelled each other out to keep the scoreboard unmoved.
The 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 flyhalf 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, flyhalf Conrad Raashied 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 No 8 Johnathan Horak extended their lead Marx 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 to 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. Marx succeeded in all remaining conversions which also tipped him for the Player that Rocks award.
FNB SPU 41-37 FNB UKZN
The Sol Plaatje University (SPU) secured a hard-fought victory over 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 (the Player that Rocks) 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 half-time.
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 victory.
FNB UWC 50-33 FNB WSU
UWC comfortably overcame WSU 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 and tighthead prop Keanuh Michaels went over after a smart pick up and drive.
Replacement UWC loose forward Danston Cloete scored with his first touch of the match. A rampaging five metre scrum saw Cloete pick up and dot the ball down. Outside centre Huckins then got his second try of the evening after WSU tried to attack from their own tryline but a loose pass is intercepted by the nimble Huckins who went 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.
In the other game played on Friday, CPUT dominated UFH 41-10
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