2026 final passes Maroon Machine by
Maties was overpowered by Pukke last night in a semi-final Varsity Cup match, to be ousted of the competition. Eagles turned on the style in the second half, cruising to a commanding 50-10 victory over FNB Maties at Fanie du Toit Sports Ground to secure their place in the final.
UP-Tuks delivered a dominant performance in the Gauteng derby, overpowering neighbours UJ to book a home spot in the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup final.
NWU Eagles 50-10 Maties
A dominant second-half display powered NWU Eagles to a victory over FNB Maties in their semi-final clash in Potchefstroom.
In front of a sold-out Potchefstroom crowd firmly behind them, the Eagles overturned earlier season disappointment against Maties with a clinical and ruthless performance when it mattered most.
The first half was tightly contested, with both sides locked at 10-10 at the break after each crossed for a try and added a penalty. However, the Eagles suffered a setback when veteran Matthew Fortuin was forced off due to injury.
The hosts returned from halftime with intent, striking three tries within the opening 18 minutes to take control of the match. Their tempo, physicality and precision proved too much for Maties, who struggled to break through a resolute Eagles defence.
With momentum fully on their side, NWU dominated the closing stages, running in tries at will while shutting Maties out completely in the second half in a statement performance.
Tries from Ricardo Fourie, Jordan McLoughlin, Stephan Krugel, Logan Janeke (2), Jamain Dampies and Gary Otto sealed an emphatic win, while Maties could only respond through a single try and penalty by Janlu Basson.
The victory sees the FNB NWU Eagles book their place in the Varsity Cup 2026 final, capping a powerful semi-final performance built on resilience, structure and half dominance.
SCORERS
NWU (10) 50
Tries: Ricardo Fourie, Jordan McLoughlin, Stephan Krugel, Logan Janeke X2, Jamain Dampies, Gary Otto, Penalty Try.
Maties: (10) 10
Tries: Janlu Basson
Player of the Match: (FNB NWU Eagles)
UP-Tuks 53-34 UJ
The Stripe Generation delivered a commanding performance, putting 50 points past UJ to secure a home final in the 2026 Varsity Cup. UP-Tuks welcomed their city rivals for a high-stakes semi-final clash and rose to the occasion in emphatic fashion.
The Stripe Generation on quest for a sixth title. With the Tuks stadium packed to the rafters, it was the visitors who drew the first blood. Clean break from the Orange Army and cuts through Tuks defence, Jeandre Uithaler sends it to Tholithemba Sibisi who dotted down.
With all the physical contention UJ posed at Tuks, the visitors were reduced to 14-men on the field and the Stripe Generation managed to capitalize and break UJ defence following relentless attacks. Kobus Janse van Rensburg pops it for Munashe Dukuswa out wide to level matters.
UJ returned from the break on a high note as Therlow Pietersen’s troops outgunned the Tuks forwards. Skipper Kamo Molefe crossed over the line from a back of a maul to extend UJ’s lead. Tuks’ response was swift thanks to Kobus Janse van Rensburg’s try. Akha Mjawule sliced through Tuks defence to allow his side to take the lead for the first time in the encounter. Both Kapank and du Toit adding the extras.
Therlow Pietersen’s troops were not going down without a fight as flyhalf Kapank crossed over the line to reduce the deficit to 10 points. Tuks gathered their strength in the second half and Akha Mjawule powered over from a strong maul. Francois Prinsloo one more try for the visitors but the Johannesburg outfit could not keep up with the score as Tuks went on to score another try courtesy of Jacques Oberholzer.
Sibisi registered his brace with a cheeky run however it was not enough as Dukuswa pierced through UJ defence to seal the victory for Tuks.