Dramatic changes to 2026 Varsity Cup log
In Stellenbosch last night, the Maroon Machine edged out NWU Eagles in a tight four-point win to continue their pursuit to recover the coveted Varsity Cup in 2026.
Round 6 also saw the Orange Army continue their march towards the semi-finals with a victory over a struggling Ixias side. UP-Tuks came back from 14 points down to beat the Emeris Comets and claim top spot on the log, while the Shimlas kept their semi-final hopes alive with a crucial bonus-point victory over defending champions Ikey Tigers.
Maties 30-26 NWU Eagles
A top-of-the-table clash unfolded in the penultimate round of the FNB Varsity Cup as third-placed Maties hosted table-toppers NWU Eagles. The sides clashed at a windy Danie Craven Stadium as the battle for semi-final spots intensifies. The men from Stellenbosch prevailed in a 30-26 win at home.
Both sides traded penalties in a swirling wind to get on the scoreboard during the opening 15 minutes. The first half proved to be a battle of wits that swayed in the direction of the home side, who were handed a penalty try after their maul was collapsed 5 metres out from the try line. Louis Fourie added the extra five points after Maties opted for the Tap, giving them a 12-point lead. Eagles captain Stephan Krugel was shown a yellow card as a result.
The home side sensed an opportunity with a numerical advantage and extended their lead courtesy of CJ Erasmus, who crashed over the line after a sustained wave of attack inside the Eagles’ 22. The home side headed into the break with a 15-point lead.
The visitors came out of the dressing room like a team on a mission in the second half to score two tries in the space of eight minutes after the restart. Raniel Turner got his side’s first try of the match with a valuable seven-pointer. An end-to-end passage of play unfolded – first, Maties were denied a seven-pointer of their own after great defensive work by the Eagles. The visitors then ran the ball from their own try line for their second Point of Origin score with Leejay Petersen applying the finishing touch for a one-point lead.
Keanuh Michaels put his side back in the lead as Maties capitalized on a brilliant 50-22 by MC van Heerden Smith. Just two-minutes later, and the visitors were back in the lead after Logan Janeke slipped through tackles to dot down, the conversion sailed between the uprights, giving the Eagles a 26-23 lead with 12 minutes to play.
The Maroon Machine maintained their belief and kept the ball going through the phases despite being denied by the dogged NWU defence. With just four minutes left on the clock, Louw Du Toit gathered the ball from the ruck, dummied a pass to beat the defence, and put his side back in the lead. MC van Heerden used the wind to slot a tricky conversion that gave his side a four-point lead. Maties were able to hold firm and stop the Eagles from snatching a late try for a hard-fought victory.
SCORERS
Maties: (18) 30
Tries: PENALTY TRY, Louis Fourie, CJ Erasmus, Keanuh Michaels, Louw Du Toit
NWU Eagles: (3) 26
Tries: Raniel Turner, Leejay Petersen, Logan Janeke.
Player of the Match: Ruan van Willing (FNB NWU Eagles)
CUT 13-29 UJ
A hard-fought 29-13 win over the CUT Ixias in a wet and gritty Bloemfontein encounter – a scoreline that hardly reflects how tight the contest really was.
A late flurry of tries from the Orange Army sealed a valuable bonus-point victory, completing a double over the Bloemfontein sides and leaving UJ firmly on the brink of a semi-final spot – a remarkable turnaround less than a year after they narrowly avoided relegation.
UJ struck first in the rain-soaked conditions, with Francois Prinsloo crossing for the opening try. A penalty from Kehan Myburgh kept FNB CUT in touch, as the hosts trailed just 5-3 at the break in a tense, arm-wrestle of a first half.
With the game hanging in the balance, UJ showed their class and composure. Late tries from Coun-Lee Koekman and Exauce Kevani broke CUT’s resistance and ultimately flattered the final score, as the Orange Army surged clear in the dying moments.
For the Ixias, it was a frustrating outing, particularly at lineout time, where they battled badly and struggled to secure their own ball. That failure at the set piece proved costly, especially inside the opposition’s 22, where a key attacking weapon deserted them. With relegation now looming large, CUT will have one final opportunity next week to save their season.
SCORERS
CUT: (3) 13
Tries : Jean-Louis Theron (POR)
UJ : (5) 29
Tries: Francois Prinsloo, JT Kapank, Toy Engelbrecht, Coun-Lee Koekman, Exauce Kevani.
Player of the Match: Jeandre Uithaler (FNB UJ)
Fortuin, Luyolo Doyi, Luan Van der Walt, Hanro Venter, Lachibo Tchokonte-Nana, Jaco Du Toit, Schalk Du Plessis, Sean Roulston, Gary Otto, MJ Mostert, Jamaine Dampies
FNB UFS Shimlas 40-33 FNB UCT Ikeys
The FNB UFS Shimlas kept their FNB Varsity Cup semi-final hopes alive with a crucial 40-33 bonus-point victory over the FNB UCT Ikeys in Bloemfontein.
It was a proper humdinger at Shimla Park – a match that took a while to find its rhythm, but once it did, it exploded into a classic Varsity Cup thriller packed with drama, momentum swings and big-match intensity.
UFS Shimlas struck first, with Vice Hofmeyer powering over from a well-driven maul, but UCT responded in identical fashion soon after. Just before the break, Jaco Bezuidenhout added another maul try for the hosts, while Alex Vermeulen slotted a penalty to see Shimlas take a slender 12-10 lead into half-time.
The second half burst into life in the 48th minute when winger Kirwan du Preez finished a superb point-of-origin try for UFS. Moments later, Erich Visser crossed from a quick tap, stretching the lead to what looked like a commanding 18 points.
With their season hanging by a thread, the Shimlas refused to lie down. As the clock ticked into the final stages, livewire flanker Ferdi Vergottini muscled his way over for a crucial try to swing the momentum back in favour of the hosts.
Then, right on full-time, Bezuidenhout bulldozed over for his second after another powerful maul – a score that summed up the Shimlas’ grit and cohesion, and one they’ll no doubt credit as a true team effort.
The result keeps UFS Shimlas firmly in the hunt as the race for the semi-finals heads into the final round of league fixtures.
SCORERS
UFS Shimlas: (12) 40
Tries: Vice Hofmeyer, Jaco Bezuidenhout X2, Kirwin du Preez (POR), Erich Visser, Ferdie Vergottini.
UCT Ikey: (10) 33
Tries: Isaiah Louw, Sino Brawen (POR), Jack Benade (POR), Johan Lombard.
Player of the Match: Henri van Heerden (FNB UFS Shimlas).
FNB UP-Tuks 27-24 FNB Emeris
The Stripe Generation had to dig deep to secure a narrow 27-24 victory over Emeris. UP-Tuks played hosts to newcomers Emeris in a cloudy Capital city evening aiming to return to winning ways while their counterparts gunning for a second win.
In the battle of David and Goliath, the visitors strike first courtesy of Jayden Fortuin following counter attack. Fortuin fly over in the corner to hand the visitors the lead.
The visitors were not done as they continued their sensational attacks bagging a second try just under 26 minutes. Sphephelo Mbonambi powering over the line as the Emeris went 12 points up.
The home struggled to connect and barely formed any attacks. Finally, they put points on the board, thanks to Jean Fourie. From a driving maul Fourie dotted down to put his side back in the game. It remained a close contest with Tuks pilling pressure on the Emeris defence. The Stripe was awarded with the winning try from the captain. Divan Du Toit converted the extras to seal a 27-24 victory for Tuks.
SCORERS
UP-Tuks: (15) 27
Tries: Jean Fourie X3, David Engongo, Dillon Smith.
Emeris : (19) 24
Tries : Jayden Fortuin, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Edward Sigauke, Jacques Marais, Dillon Smith.
Player of the Match: Jean Fourie (FNB UP-Tuks)