Varsity Shield 2026 opens with drama and statement wins
WRAP: Varsity Shield 2026 began dramatically with UKZN Impi crushing Sol Plaatje University in Durban, while CPUT stunned last year’s runners-up Madibaz 30-20 in a thrilling encounter in Bellville.
UWC got off to a flying start, defeating UFH 38-12 in the opening match on Friday. Meanwhile, a hard-fought clash at Sisa Dukashe Stadium ended in a 27-27 draw after Wits came back from 24-5 down at the break.
UFH 12-38 UWC
The Varsity Shield clash between UFH and UWC produced a high-octane contest, with both teams playing at full intensity from the opening whistle, but it was the visitors who walked away with all the points on Friday after the match, held at an undisclosed venue.
UFH showed early aggression in the collisions, but UWC were sharp and clinical. In the fourth minute, the visitors struck first from a well-controlled scrum inside the 22, Leighton Damon dotted down, with Aaron Swartz adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
After the strategy break, the tempo lifted. UWC’s flowing backline movement paid off again in the 30th minute when Juma Amisi finished off a slick move out wide to stretch the lead to 14-0. Moments later, UFH were reduced to 14 men with a yellow card, and UWC capitalised immediately. A loose ball was pounced on by Nhlamulo Shilubane, who raced over to make it 21-0 at halftime.
UFH came out firing in the second half, applying sustained pressure inside the UWC 22. From a loose ball, Ukho Nomsatha broke through the defence to score, with Abongile Yeye converting to cut the deficit to 21-7.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly halted as Marciano Forbes sliced through the UFH defence for UWC’s bonus-point try, with Swartz once again on target. Forbes was unstoppable on the day, grabbing another as UWC’s patience and precision carved open the hosts, pushing the score to 28-7.
UWC continued to dominate, adding further points through powerful build-up play, including a maul-driven score, extending their advantage to 38-12. Despite yellow cards to Juma Amisi and later Syster Keith, plus a red card to Skyle February, UFH could not fully exploit their numerical advantage. Chris Gqobhoka did manage to cross for UFH’s second try, but it proved too little, too late.
It was an entertaining encounter with both teams showing flashes of quality. However, UWC’s clinical finishing and control proved decisive as they powered to a convincing 38-12 victory.
SCORERS
For UFH:
Tries: Nomsatha, Gqobhoka
Con: Yeye
For UWC:
Tries: Forbes 2, Shilubane, Amisi, Ncana, Damon
Con: Swartz 4
Player of the Match: Marciano Forbes (UWC)
TEAMS
UFH: Mawande Sotewu, Inga Vellem, Mbasa Babele, Mpho Ramahala, Liyema Hlitane, Alizwa Majila, Michael Mangava, Yanga Gazi, Abongile Yeye, Siyamthanda Sakhela, Liyema Ngoyi, Lisolethu Jali, Takudzwa Rushiza, Bulumko Mfundisi, Ukho Nomsatha.
UWC: Qelile Hlonela, Marciano Forbes, Graigan Matroos, Alexander-Jaco Van Der Merwe, Melumzi Mandongana, Melvin Diedericks, Danston Cloete (C), Leighton Damon, Dwayne Badenhorst, Nhlamulo Shilubane, Juma Amisi, Denver Van Wyk, Hlomla Ncana, Keith Syster, Aaron Swartz (V).
CPUT 30-20 Madibaz
CPUT produced a spirited comeback to defeat Madibaz 30-20 on Friday at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, overturning an early setback that included two costly yellow cards in a dramatic momentum shift.
Madibaz opened the scoring in the ninth minute when flank Johan van Zyl crashed over after a series of powerful pick-and-go phases. The conversion attempt went astray, leaving the score at 5-0. The visitors extended their advantage just four minutes later as No. 8 Dewald Gerber forced his way across the line, but another missed conversion saw them stretch their lead to 10-0.
CPUT responded in the 28th minute as winger Samukelisiwe Madonsela crossed the line, although the conversion was missed, leaving a score of 10-5. Madonsela added his second in the 36th minute after good work with Noah Peuker, and this time flyhalf Reuben Noble converted to give the home side a 12-10 lead. Just a minute later, Noble crossed the line to extend the lead to 17-10, sending his side into halftime with momentum firmly in their favour.
In the second half, Madibaz closed the gap in the 56th minute when centre Qurin Cupido crossed for a try, cutting the deficit to 17-15. CPUT’s forward pack responded with authority just eight minutes later, powering a dominant driving maul that hooker Lihle Kula finished to extend their lead to 22-15.
Winger Dwayne Atkins extended the lead 10 minutes before the final whistle, giving CPUT a 27-15 cushion. Noble added a crucial penalty in the 77th minute, extending the lead to 30-15 and putting the game firmly out of reach.
Madibaz managed a late consolation try through Lukhanyiso Olifant in stoppage time, but the hosts had already done enough to secure a composed 30-20 victory.
SCORERS
For CPUT:
Tries: Madonsela 2, Kula, Noble, Atkins.
Pen: Noble
Con: Noble
For Madibaz:
Tries: Van Zyl, Gerber, Cupido, Oliphant.
Player of the Match: Samukelisiwe Madonsela (CPUT)
TEAMS
CPUT: Emihle Akho Benya, Lindisipho Lihle Kula, Kieran Delaan Naidoo (C), Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, Abongile Kude Golela, Lazola Amahle Makaula, Simphiwe Gift Thabede, Yibanathi Daki, Jayson January, Reuben Thorne Noble, Samukelisiwe Sandile Madonsela, Mbuso Maseko, Jacquin Farrol Jacobus, Dwayne Grant Atkins, Noah Matthe Pekeur.
Madibaz: Imibongo Mvuleni, Kyle Erasmus, Lihlumelo Mantewu, Dandre Van Jaarsveld, Luan Verster, De Wet Goedhals, Johan van Zyl, Dewald Gerber (V), Chad Weimann, Layron Milborrow, Emihle Zaza, Qurin Cupido, Edward Kruger (C), Mvelo Fipaza, Raashied Conrad.
UKZN 46-15 SPU
UKZN stormed to the top of the log after an emphatic 46-15 victory over SPU at Howard College Rugby Stadium on Friday.
The Durban side ran in eight tries in a dominant display, leaving no doubt about their intent for the 2026 Varsity Shield.
The Gemmies tried to respond with three tries of their own, but UKZN’s powerful forward pack and clinical finishing kept the home side in control throughout the match.
From the first whistle, the Impi imposed their game plan, combining pace, precision and physicality.
With this commanding performance, UKZN have thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the competition.
TEAMS
UKZN: Abulele Bolotini, Jordan Ramsamy, Ntokozo Ngema, Ndabezinhle Ngubane, Mzwandile Khawula, Aphelele Dlamini, Mthomboyolo Buzani (C), Lian Lochner, Juan Viljoen, Ntobeko Mhlongo, Minehle Mfanelo Ngcamu, Siso France.
SPU: Liam Harmse, Jan Potgieter (C), Emile Noble, Kwandokuhle Dlamini, Tumelo Papane, Tyron China (V), Kabelo Keagile, Joshua Vomberg, Dwayne Lubbe, Calvin Paulsen, Raees Sahabodien, Enzo Machaba, Jaiden Faviers, Michael Prinsloo, Sithabiso Dube.
WSU 27-27 Wits
A thrilling contest at Sisa Dukashe Stadium ended all square at 27-27 after Wits mounted a remarkable comeback from 24-5 down at halftime.
SCORERS
For WSU:
Tries: Folo, Tshayi
DG: Tshayi
Con: Mbini
For Wits:
Tries: Santos, Bonoyi, Holmes, Nxumalo.
T-PPP: Dweba
Con: Gerber
TEAMS
WSU: Mihlali Nohoyeka, Mangaliso Zixesha, Yoyisa Mahobe, Luvo Zindela, Azasakhe Phuwani, Siyamthanda Ncapayi, Khonaye Mbakaza, Sipho Hobosch, Thembela Folo, Lukhangele Tshayi, Asisipho Jim, Paseka Mokoena, Bulelani Nondlwana, Ahlule Zokoza, Isiphe Mbini.
Wits: Ricardo Brandoa, Dylan Piek, Meyer Opperman, Thinus Oosthuizen, Hayden Munnery, Liam Santos, Christopher Kachungunu, Jamaal Feldman, Gideon Diedericks, Matthew Coetzee, Ayanda Bonoyi, McMillen Mongwana, Lindani Dweba, Dustyn Holmes, Latica Nela.
Source @VarsityCup
