VARSITY SHIELD: UWC claim Cape bragging rights, Wits thrash UFH

ROUND TWO WRAP: Wits put on a clinical performance at home, running away with a 51-0 thrashing of UFH for their first home win of the season.

In the Cape derby, UWC overpowered CPUT 51-32 in a thrilling encounter at UWC Stadium, with Hlomla Ncana’s hat-trick and an all-round masterclass from Player of the Match Aaron Swartz sealing a statement victory.

Madibaz bounced back in style, treating a packed Madibaz Stadium to a relentless attacking display in a 60-32 win over UKZN. Meanwhile, WSU stormed the Northern Cape side SPU, cruising to a 48-22 road victory at Suzuki Stadium.

Madibaz 60-32 UKZN

The huge crowd that filled Madibaz Stadium on Friday afternoon could hardly have asked for better as their side romped to victory against UKZN.

Madibaz veteran Kyle Erasmus scored the home side’s first try of the day, but his joy was short-lived as only a minute later, UKZN winger Lwanele Gaba darted in from broken play.

Dewald Gerber gave the men from Nelson Mandela Bay the ascendancy again when he crossed the line seven minutes later. His try was followed up by one from his skipper Eddie Kruger.

When star loose forward Sean van Zijl dotted down for one of his own in the 36th minute, the result already looked to be beyond doubt.

UKZN, however, were having none of it. Two minutes into added time, centre Frederick Malgas broke the line to score. The visitors then opted for a tap instead of a conversion and made it count when Abulele Bolotini went over.

Suddenly, it was a ball game again as the sides went into the tunnel at the break.

Unfortunately for UKZN, that was to be the last time they were able to put any real pressure on their hosts.

In the second stanza, it became a try-fest for the team in blue and, while Malgas and replacement back Jovawn Visagie scored some beauties for UKZN, Madibaz were simply too far ahead by that stage.

The scorers:

For Madibaz:
Tries: Sean van Zijl 2, Johan van Zyl 2, Kyle Erasmus, Dewald Gerber, Eddie Kruger, Mtika Oliphant, Luan Verster, Corne Cloete, Jaden Witbooi

For UKZN:
Tries: Frederick Malgas 2, Jovawn Visagie 2, Abulele Bolotini, Lwanele Gaba.

Player of the Match: Sean van Zijl (Madibaz)

Teams:

Madibaz: AJ Flemming, Kyle Erasmus, Imibongo Mvuleni, Dewald Gerber, Luan Verster, Corne Cloete, Johan van Zyl, Sean van Zijl, Onelisiwe Fani, Layron Milborrow, Jaden Witbooi, Qurin Cupido, Eddie Kruger, Mtika Oliphant, Caleb Friskin.

UKZN: Abulele Bolotini, Jordan Ramsamy, Ntokozo Ngema, Asanda Zama, Ndabezinhle Ngubane, Mzwandile Khawula, Aphelele Dlamini, Ayanda Ngubane, Zak Smith, Juan Viljoen, Eloko Kayekeze, Russel Fick, Frederick Malgas, Lwanele Gaba, Siso France.

UWC 51-32 CPUT

UWC claimed bragging rights in an entertaining Cape derby after defeating CPUT 51-32 in a high-scoring Varsity Shield clash at UWC Stadium on Friday evening.

The home side set the tone early, breaking the deadlock in the third minute when scrumhalf Dywane Badenhorst dotted down following a powerful rolling maul, with fullback Aaron Swartz adding the extras.

Although CPUT responded through hooker Lindisipho Kula from a line-out drive, UWC’s dominance up front proved decisive.

Centre Hlomla Ncana was instrumental in the first half, crossing twice – including a superb finish in the corner as UWC built a commanding 22-5 half-time lead.

The visitors showed renewed intent after the break, with Dwayne Atkins grabbing two tries to keep CPUT in contention. However, UWC’s forward pack continued to impose themselves, with winger Amisi Juma and substitute Keno Alexander extending the advantage.

Ncana completed a memorable hat-trick in the 69th minute before Leighton Damon and Juma added further tries to seal the result.

CPUT fought until the end, adding late scores through Jacquin Jacobus and Yibanathi Phoncana, but UWC had the final say. Swartz, who controlled proceedings brilliantly from the back and contributed valuable points from the tee, was deservedly named Player of the Match.

The scorers:

For UWC:
Tries: Hlomla Ncana 3, Juma Amisi 2, Dwayne Badenhorst, Keno Alexander, Leighton Damon.

For CPUT:
Tries: Dwayne Atkins 2, Lindisipho Kula, Philasande Ngcobo, Jacquin Jacobus. Yibanathi Phoncana.

Player of the Match: Aaron Swartz (UWC)

Teams:

UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Marciano Forbes, Graigan Matroos, Alexander Jaco van der Merwe, Melumzi Mandongamma, Melvin Diedricks, Dantson Cloete (captain), Leighton Damons, Dwayne Badenhorst, Nhlamulo Shibane, Juma Amisi, Denver van Wyk, Hlomla Ncana, Keith Syster, Aaron Swartz.

CPUT: Emihle Benya, Lindisipho Kula, Kieran Naidoo, Ntsako Mhlanga, Abongile Golela, Lazola Makula, Simphiwe Thabede, Denley Adams, Jayson January, Reuben Noble, Samukelisiwe Madonsela, Mbuso Maseko, Jacquin Jacobus, Dwayne Atkins, Ronaldo Lakay.

Wits 51-0 UFH

A dominant first-half performance saw Wits seal their first win of the 2026 Varsity Shield after thumping UFH at the Wits Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.

Playing in front of their home supporters for the first time, the Wits Blues were clinical in attack and used their forwards to bully UFH upfront.

The first half produced a whopping five tries, two of which were scored by flanker Liam Santos from the back of a rolling maul in the third and 18th minute, respectively.

Scrumhalf, Bryce Samuel, also got his name on the scoring sheet after some smart thinking around the ruck. Hayden Munnery extended his side’s lead after they opted for a quick tap instead of converting.

That score took Wits to 22-0 after the first quarter before Jamaal Feldman barged over in the 27th minute to make it 29-0. The visitors needed to respond in the second half, but instead it was Wits who had a bright start.

Lindani Dweba extended his side’s lead by 34 points after relentless pressure in their opponent’s half. The electric centre sealed his brace shortly after to take his side’s lead to 39-0.

It was cruise control from there on. Santos completed his hat-trick before the hour mark with yet another try from a rolling maul.

Both teams were down to 14 men at some point after Santos, and Mpho Ramahala were shown their marching orders for cynical play. The hosts sealed the game with a try by the captain, Latica Nela, in the 66th minute after he was put through by Matthew Coetzee.

The scorers:

For Wits:
Tries: Liam Santos 3, Lindani Dweba 2, Bryce Samuel, Hayden Munnery, Jamaal Feldman, Latica Nela.

For UFH: None

Player of the Match: Bryce Samuel (Wits)

Teams:

Wits: Ronan Dutton, Bonga Nxumalo, Meyer Opperman, Hayden Munnery, Joshua Ferreira, Liam Santos, Christopher Kachungunu, Jamaal Feldman, Bryce Samuel, Rekkie Gerber, Oluwatimileyen Oluwole, McMillen Mongwana, Lindani Dweba, Dustyn Holmes, Latica Nela.

UFH: Elihle Mtshemla, Oyisa Dayimani, Mbasa Babele, Mpho Ramahala, Liyema Hlitane, Alizwa Majila, Michael Mangava, Iminathi Macoli, Abongile Yeye, Siyamthanda Sakhela, Liyema Ngoyi, Lisolethu Jali (captain), Lakheni Majali, Bulumko Mfundisi, Ukho Nomsatha.

SPU 22-48 WSU

WSU delivered a gutsy away performance, dominating with clinical scrums and a relentless maul that left the home side scrambling for answers.

The away team showed up with a clear game plan and masterminded one of the most dominant displays of front-foot rugby seen at the Sukuzi Stadium.

From the 8th minute, WSU seized control as No.8 Sipho Hoboasch powered over from the back of a maul, kicking off the onslaught. Asisipho Jim added a second try in the 15th minute, putting WSU firmly in charge at 14-0 over SPU.

Managaliso Zixhesha stepped forward to add more pressure on the home team with the third try on the 24th minute to make the score 19 -0 in WSU’s favour.

SPU finally joined the party and added their name to the scoresheet with a spectacular try to bring the home crowd to their feet.

WSU replied instantly with a two tries first from its winger Ahlule Zokoza, who ran it in underneath the posts for an easy conversion and then a brilliant maul from a line-out led to Managaliso Zixhesha adding to his tally, ending the half with the score WSU 31-5 SPU.

The second half started slowly, until WSU dotted down with a hat-trick from hooker Managaliso Zixhesha, followed by a power play which failed.

SPU finally brought that Gemmie Fire with two tries from their winger Raees Sahabodien and star player Jaiden Faviers, and they added to that with a power play try from Emile Noble

However, the away team ended the contest with two late tries from their prop and No.8 to seal a convincing win for the away team.

The scorers:

For SPU:
Tries: Jaiden Faviers 2, Raees Sahabodien, Emile Noble (PP)

For WSU:
Tries: Managaliso Zixhesha X3, Sipho Hobosch X2, Ahlule Zokoza, Sinethemba Buhlungu

Player of the Match: Sipho Hobosch (WSU)

Teams:

SPU: Aiden Holtzhausen, Ntokozo Ndwalane, Emile Noble, Tumelo Papane, Kwandokuhle Dlamin, Tyron China, Kabelo Keagile, Devine Ambrose, Dwayne Lubbe, Chadwin Sellidon, Raees Sahabodien, DeAndre Mouwers, Jaiden Faviers, Michael Prinsloo, Sithabiso Dube.

WSU: Mihlali Nohoyeka, Mangaliso Zixesha, Yoyisa Mahobe, Azasakhe Phuwani, Luvo Zindela, Siya Ncapayi, Khanaye Mbakaza, Sipho Hobosch, Thembela Folo, Lukhangele Tshayi, Asisipho Jim, Bulelani Nondlwana, Pasco Mokoena, Ahlule Zokoza, Isiphe Mbini.