Varsity Cup: Shimlas deny UJ, Maties blank CUT
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Defending champions Shimlas held off a second-half comeback from UJ, while Maties continued a perfect start to the 2025 Varsity Cup with a big win against CUT in Stellenbosch.
The Free State students subdued UJ to secure a narrow 49-45 win at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein. The hosts dominated the first 40 minutes, with flanker Ramon Uys scoring a brace of tries, before flyhalf Bradley Giddy slotted a massive 55m penalty. Hooker Ryan Marimo crossed the whitewash with centre Adriano Jackson scoring a point-of-origin try as UJ reduced the deficit to just three points.
Shimlas’ hooker Vice Hofmeyer scored before scrumhalf Hlumelo Klaas added a point-of-origin try to secure the bonus-point and a 40-14 lead going into the break.
UJ responded in the second half, taking the game to the defending champions. Yellow cards to Shimlas prop Ntokozo Hlope and replacement forward Marno Stopforth gave UJ an opportunity to work their way back into the match. Adriano Jackson scored his second, along with Dylan Viljoen, Ughan Africa, and Alzeadon Felix all dotting down to get the visitors ahead. A late seven-pointer from Shimlas’ Lilitha Lunqe put the game to bed and secured the points for the hosts.
Shimlas flanker Ramon Uys was named the Player that Rocks for the second consecutive week.
FNB UFS 49 (40):
Tries: Ramon Uys 2, Liam Shamburg, Vice Hofmeyer, Hlumelo Klaas (point-of-origin), Lilitha Lunqe (point-of-origin).
FNB UJ 45 (14):
Tries: Ryan Marimo, Adriano Jackson (one point-of-origin) 2, Dylan Viljoen, Ughan Africa, Alzeadon Felix (point-of-origin).
Maties continued their unbeaten start to the 2025 season with a ruthless 54-0 win against CUT at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. The home side’s dominance at the set piece provided the perfect platform to attack, going into the change rooms with a 28-0 lead. Maties scored eight unanswered tries, sending CUT back to the Free State with their tails between their legs and the largest losing margin of the 2025 Varsity Cup season so far.
FNB Maties 54 (28):
Tries: Fortune Mpofu, Grant van Heerden, Carel van der Merwe (2), Armand Combrinck, Joel Leotela, CJ Erasmus (2).
The NWU Eagles bounced back from a narrow defeat to Maties in round 2 with a win against Wits at the Wits Rugby Stadium. Both sides had yet to register a win this season, losing in the opening two rounds. Wits flyhalf Setshaba Mokoena nailed two penalties, before the Eagles scored through Tsepo Tlaka and Hanro Venter to make it 12-6 to the visitors. Wits ended the half on a high after Mokoena added a seven-point try under the posts, giving his side a 15-12 lead going into the break. The Eagles soared in the second stanza, adding four tries to Wits’ two. A seven-point try from Lindani Dweba gave Wits hope of a comeback, but a late penalty from the Eagles secured a 39-34-win.
FNB Wits 34 (15):
Tries: Setshaba Mokoena, Drew Bennet, Lindani Dweba.
FNB NWU Eagles 39 (12):
Tries: Tsepo Tlaka, Hanro Venter, Guhan Du Bois, Luhan van der Walt, Ricardo Fourie, Jordan Mcloughlin.
The UCT Ikeys earned their second win of the season against Tuks at the Green Mile in Cape Town. Ntokozo Makhaza gave Ikeys the lead, with an opening penalty before crossing the whitewash to score a seven-pointer and the first try of the match. Keagan Blackenburg joined the action with a try of his own, with Makhaza converting. Tuks got themselves back into the game through Andile Myeni, capitalizing on a man advantage after UCT lock Enos Ndiao was sent to the sin bin. The hosts went into halftime leading 26-22. Both sides picked up yellow cards late into the second half, with Tuks’ Abel Pretorious and UCT captain Siphomezo Dyonase sin-binned. The Ikeys held firm as Kian Davis scored with 12 minutes remaining to secure a 36-29 win at the Green Mile.
FNB UCT 36 (26):
Tries: Tries: Keagan Blanckenberg, Kian Davis, Luke Burger, Aidan Norris.
FNB UP-Tuks 29 (22):
Tries: Ruan Van Blommestein 2, Mj Nel, Andile Myeni.
In round 4, CUT host Tuks in Bloemfontein, Shimlas face the Eagles, Maties are at UJ, and Wits travel to Cape Town to match up against the Ikeys.
Photo: Asem Engage – Hannes Naude
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