VARSITY SHIELD: Wits top the log, WSU stun UWC

ROUND THREE WRAP: WSU stun the UWC to remain unbeaten, while the University of the Wits delivered a ruthless attacking performance to thrash UKZN at Howard College Stadium.

CPUT were equally impressive at home, claiming an emphatic triumph over SPU, while Madibaz made it back-to-back wins after defeating their Eastern Cape neighbours UFH at Davidson Stadium.

UFH 11-49 Madibaz

Madibaz produced a commanding display at Davidson Stadium, crossing the whitewash eight times to seal a comprehensive 49-11 victory over UFH.

The visitors wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Luan Verster finishing off a slick lineout move in the 4th minute to open the scoring. Madibaz immediately capitalised on their momentum during a power play period, putting UFH under sustained pressure early on.

The hosts responded in the 8th minute after a period of patient build-up play created space out wide for Liyema Ngoyi to dive over in the corner. However, Ukho Nomsatha was unable to add the extras, leaving UFH trailing as Madibaz continued to control proceedings.

Madibaz quickly regained control. Cupido powered over under the posts in the 12th minute, with Layron Milborrow converting. Nomsatha added a penalty for UFH two minutes later, but Madibaz attacking dominance continued. Dewald Gerber scored their third in the 17th minute, converted by Milborrow.

Despite Verster receiving a yellow card before the strategy break, Madibaz remained in control. Kyle Erasmus added the fourth try in the 22nd minute, and during their power play Caleb Frikins crossed for the fifth. A penalty try in the 28th minute further extended the lead, with Mikel Mangava yellow-carded. Milborrow’s penalty on the stroke of halftime made it 39-11.

The second half was more tactical, with both teams making substitutions. UFH’s Mihle Mandela was yellow carded in the 67th minute. Madibaz added further tries through Mtika Oliphant and Milborrow, while Chad Weimann also saw yellow.

Madibaz clinical execution and first-half dominance proved decisive as they comfortably outplayed UFH in Alice.

The scorers:

For UFH:
Try: Ngoyi Liyema

For Madibaz:
Tries: Erasmus Kyle, Verster Luan, Gerber Dewald, Milborrow Layron, Cupido Qurin, Oliphant Mtika, Friskin Caleb (T-PP), Penalty try.

Player of the Match: Dewald Gerber (Madibaz)

Teams:

UFH: Mtshemla Elihle, Oyisa Dayimani, Liyabona Matyana, Iviwe Kahla, Mpho Ramahala, Alizwa Majila, Michael Mangava, Iminathi Macoli, Kamva Jenqa, Salusiwe Gxekwa, Liyema Ngoyi, Siyamthanda Sakhela, Lakheni Majeli, Mihle Mandela, Nomsatha Ukho.

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

WSU 29-10 UWC

WSU produced a commanding second-half performance to defeat UWC 29-10 in their 2026 Varsity Shield Round 3 clash at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

The opening exchanges were tightly contested, with both sides testing each other at scrum time and battling for territorial control. WSU’s forwards laid an early marker earning penalties through a solid set-piece foundation. The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when scrumhalf Thembela Folo sniped from close range to score the opening try after quick ball at the base.

The hosts carried a narrow 5-0 lead into halftime following disciplined defensive work that kept UWC scoreless despite sustained pressure.

The second half saw momentum shift decisively in WSU’s favour.

After returning to a full complement of players, WSU struck early before UWC responded with a Power Play try that briefly swung momentum.

However, a crucial penalty try awarded to WSU restored control, and the introduction of the hosts’ “Bomb Squad” proved decisive as the pack dominated scrum time inside their own half.

With 10 minutes remaining, WSU maintained territorial discipline before sealing the result with a late try in the 78th minute. Their structured attack and forward dominance ensured a deserved 29-10 victory.

The scorers:

For WSU:
Tries: Hobosch Sipho X2, Folo Thembela, Zixesha Mangaliso, Penalty Try.

For UWC:
Tries: Adams Leachim (T-PP)

Player of the Match: Yoyisa Mahobe (WSU)

Teams:

WSU: Inathinkosi Mhlakaza, Sokhana Pampila, Buhlebenkosi Kedama, Azasakhe Phuwani, Sinentlahla Kesa, Siya Ncapayi, Khanaye Mbakaza, Sipho Hobosch, Thembela Folo, Lukhangele Tshayi, Asisipho Jim, Axola Mtalana, Bulelani Nondlwana, Ahlule Zokoza, Isiphe Mbini.

UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Marciano Forbes, Graigan Matroos, Alexander-Jaco Van Der Merwe, Melumzi Mandongana, Melvin Diedericks, Danston Cloete (Captain), Leighton Damon, Dwayne Badenhorst, Aaron Swartz, Leachim Adams, Kerwin Davids, Hlomla Ncana, Juma Amisi, Nhlamulo Shilubane.

UKZN 3-55 WITS

There was unfinished business when UKZN faced Wits in a clash reminiscent of the 2015 Varsity Shield Final. Impi drew first blood after an early infringement handed vice-captain Siso France a straightforward penalty opportunity, which he calmly slotted from 20 metres out in front of the uprights.

Wits didn’t take that very kindly as they pounded the home side with speed and aggression, scoring two tries back-to-back, one from Liam Santos and the other from Meyer Opperman. Rekkie Gerber successfully scored both tries.

The Impi back line began making mistakes as they conceded two yellow cards in between those plays, making things even more difficult for themselves.

Just after the first Suzuki Strat-Break, the visitors capitalised on the momentum and added two more tries through Ronan Dutton and Jamaal Feldman. The latter try was converted by the Wits flyhalf Gerber, while the former ended in an unsuccessful tap power play, 3-26 to Wits.

Christopher Kachungunu and MacMillen Mongwana both showcased their speed and fighting spirit as they ripped the Impi defense into between, adding two more tries for Wits as Gerber converted one more try, taking the halftime score to 3–38.

The second half started on a much slower pace as the visitors looked the better side to do more damage. Wits finally broke free, as Liam Terblanche came off the bench to add his name to the scoresheet.

The men from Joburg completed their festival in KZN as they added two more tries to the score line courtesy of a successful power play double try from Latica Nela and Lindani Dweba to take the score to 3-55.

The scorers:

For UKZN:

Pen: 1

For WITS:
Tries: Liam Santos, Meyer Opperman, Ronan Dutton, Jamaal Feldmen, Christopher Kachungunu, MacMillen Mongwana, Liam Terblanche, Latica Nela, Lindani Dweba.

Player of the Match: Rekkie Gerber (WITS)

TEAMS

UKZN: Prince Nyathi, Lonwabo Nkalitshana, Ulrich Walker, Asanda Zama, Tylo Madaat, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, Aphelele Dlamini, Mthomboyolo Buzani (captain), Rayke Maartens, Minenhle Ngcamu, Somanga Jho, Russel Fick, Lwanele Gaba, Sisco France, Jovawn Visagie.

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

CPUT 56-25 SPU

On Friday at the Cape University of Technology Stadium in Bellville, CPUT delivered a commanding performance to secure a convincing 56-25 victory over SPU.

The visitors struck first in the opening minutes, with flyhalf Chadwin Sellidon slotting a penalty to give SPU an early lead. However, CPUT responded swiftly and with intent.

Kieran Naidoo crossed in the corner to level matters, before Samukelisiwe Madonsela powered over for a converted try to shift the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour. Although SPU managed to narrow the gap through Kabelo Keagile, CPUT regained control through clinical finishing.

Jacquin Jacobus and Dwayne Atkins added further tries, allowing the hosts to take a comfortable 27-10 lead into halftime.

The second half proved one-sided as CPUT’s attacking dominance continued.

Lihle Kula, Madonsela and Atkins all crossed the whitewash, while flyhalf Reuben Noble added crucial conversions to keep the scoreboard ticking. Kula later completed his brace to cap off an impressive individual display.

SPU showed late resistance with two tries from Jaiden Faviers, but it was not enough to halt CPUT’s momentum, as the hosts’ clinical execution ensured a comprehensive win on home soil.

The scorers:

For CPUT:
Tries: Samukelisiwe Madonsela X3 (T-PP), Dwayne Atkins X2, Lindisipho Kula, Keiran Naidoo, Jacquin Jacobus, Noah Pekeur (T-PP).

For SPU:
Tries: Dwayne Lubbe X2, Kabelo Keagile, Jaiden Faviers (T-PP).

Player of the Match: Denley Adams (CPUT)

TEAMS

CPUT: Emihle Benya, Kyle Ahrendse, Kieran Naidoo, Ntsako Mhlanga, Nqaba Nkonyeni, Preveen Padayachiey, Simphiwe Thabede, Denley Adams, Jason January, Reuben Noble, Samukeliswe Madonsela, Philasande Ngcobo, Jacquin Jacobus, Dwayne Atkins, Noah Pekeur, Lindisipho Kula, Siphesihle Zwane, Ashton Maloy, Abongile Golela, Lazola Makaula, Clyde Frieslaar, Chris Phillips, Yibanathi
Phoncana.

SPU: Aiden Holtzhausen, Jan Potgieter, Emile Noble, Joshua Vomberg, Kwandokuhle Dlamini, Tyron China, Kabelo Keagile, Devine Ambrose, Raqeeb Kapery, Chadwin Sellidon, Raees Sahabodien, Stephan Du Toit, Jaiden Faviers, Mvelo Ndwalane, Sithabiso Dube, Ntokozo Ndwalane, John Southward, Kwanda Mhlongo, Kamo Leshupi, Tumelo Papane, Dwayne Lubbe, Calvin Paulsen, Michael Prinsloo.