It's an all-Cape Final

WRAP: It is an all-Cape Final in the 2025 edition of the Varsity Cup.

UCT are through to their fourth consecutive final after defeating UP-Tuks in Pretoria with a decisive performance.

They will face the pace-settrs, Maties, who earned a hard-fought victory over defending champions UFS Shimlas at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

The Ikey Tigers picked up their second win over Tuks this season, Maties avenged their loss to the Shimlas in last year’s semifinals.

The Cape sides will face off in Stellenbosch next Monday, April 14, in the Final.

UP-Tuks 35-48 UCT Ikeys

UCT Ikeys completed the double on UP-Tuks to book their place in the Final with a thrilling 48-35 triumph at Tuks Stadium on Monday.

It was a relentless performance from the visitors to force Tuks to surrender a place in the finals of the Varsity Cup 2025.

The Ikeys introduced themselves with two back-to-back tries to cemment their dominance in the opening 10 minutes courtesy of Thomas Nel and Luke Burger. Brilliant piece of play from Nel registered the first points on the board before Burger powered over to double the lead.

Tuks responded with back-to-back penalties from Jandre Burger to reduce the deficit to just eight points. With the intensity rising, every point mattered for both sides, which saw both adding a combined nine additional points, six from the visitors and three for the Stripe Generation.

Both sides were then reduced to 14-men and UCT capitalized with a try from Xola Nyali.

MJ Nel powered over following a powerful maul from UCT 22-meter line saw the Tuks Stadium erupt and UCT taking a 15-point lead at the break.

The half-time talks from Tuks proved commanding as they returned with a try, astonishing break from Kamohelo Tlome sets up Andile Myeni for the hosts second try of the night. Immediate respond from the travelers as Nel dotted down to complete his brace.

Keagan Blanckenberg powered over the line to stretch the UCT lead. With Tuks fighting to stay in game, substitute Cayno February flew over the line from another Tuks maul.

UCT already had their name written on the finals spot as they held firm in defense to secure their place in the final despite Tuks adding more points on the board with a try from Bom Louw. The last kick from impressive run of kicks from the spot by Ntokozo Makhaza secured a 35-48 victory in favour of the visitors.

SCORERS

For UP-Tuks
Tries: M Nel, Myeni, February, Louw
Cons: Burger 3
Pens: Burger 3

UCT Ikeys
Tries: T Nel (2), Burger, Nyali, Blanckenberg.
Cons: Makhaza 4
Pens: Makhaza 3

Player That Rocks: Keagan Blanckenberg (UCT Ikeys)

TEAMS

UP-Tuks:15 Ambesa Zenzile, 14 Andile Myeni, 13 Tharquinn Manuel, 12 Keane Galant, 11 Munashe Dukuswa, 10 Jandre Burger, 9 Damon OConnell, 8 Dillon Smith (captain), 7 Haydn Kemp, 6 Kamohelo Tlome, 5 Roald Hattingh, 4 Lilitha Matsiliza, 3 Bom Louw, 2 Ruan van Blommestein, 1 MJ Nel.

UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Rayn Koevort, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Thomas Nel, 12 Luke Burger, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Alex Vermeulen, 9 Monray Daars, 8 Xola Nyali, 7 Connor Jack Gordon, 6 Siphomezo Dyonase, 5 Danio Botha, 4 Enos Ndiao, 3 Zachary Pothen, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Matthew Beckett.

Referee: Dylen November
TMO: Egon Seconds

Maties 19-7 UFS Shimlas

In their 150th year, Maties will face arch-rivals Ikey Tigers in the Varsity Cup final after securing a hard-fought 19-7 victory over UFS Shimlas in a tense semifinal at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

With rain halting just before the match, the wet conditions made handling difficult, setting the stage for a low-scoring, tactical battle. Maties immediately put pressure on the visitors, who struggled with unforced errors throughout.

The home side controlled the game with smart tactics, converting pressure into three well-placed penalties by flyhalf Christiaan van Heerden Smith.

Shimlas fought back in the second quarter, intensifying the pressure, especially after Maties were reduced to 13 players due to two yellow cards. Though they couldn’t capitalize on all their chances, the men from Bloemfontein earned a penalty try, closing the gap to 7-9 at half-time.

After the break, Maties right wing Grant de Jager made his mark, chasing down a kick from Van Heerden Smith to score a point of origin try from his own half. Despite missing the conversion, Van Heerden Smith added another penalty, making it 19-7.

In a match dominated by forward play, it was De Jager’s opportunistic try and constant threat in attack that stole the show, ensuring Maties’ place in the final.

SCORERS

Maties
Try: De Jager
Pens: Smith 4

UFS Shimlas:
Try: Penalty try
Con: A penalty try does not require a conversion

Player that Rocks: Carel Van Der Merwe (Maties)

TEAMS:

Maties: 15 Elridge Jack, 14 Grant De Jager, 13 Ryan Manuel, 12 CJ Marx, 11 Dylan Miller, 10 Christiaan Van Heerden Smith, 9 Mckyle Volmoer, 8 Ethan Snyman, 7 Luan Botha, 6 Fortune Mpofu, 5 Carel Van Der Merwe, 4 Zuko Poswa, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Armand Combrink, 1 Prince Mulea.

UFS Shimlas: 15 Regan Izaks, 14 Kirwin Du Preez, 13 Nkoka Ngobe, 12 Freddie Dreyer, 11 Siviwe Zondani, 10 Bradley Giddy, 9 Hlumelo Klaas, 8 Liam Shamburg, 7 Marno Stopforth, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 HJ De Beer, 4 Renier Viljoen, 3 Ben Pitout, 2 Jacobus Bezuidenhout, 1 Ntokozo Hlope.

Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
TMO: Quinton Immelman