Wits clinch promotion with Varsity Shield semifinalists locked in

WRAP: Wits underlined their dominance in the Varsity Shield with a commanding 46-15 victory over UWC to secure automatic promotion back into the Varsity Cup.

At the same time, both sides booked their places in the semi-finals. WSU secured a home semi-final spot with a narrow 15-13 win against UFH at Sisa Dukashe Stadium, while Madibaz ended 4th on the log with a comeback win over Sol Plaatje University.

UWC 15-46 Wits

Wits underlined their dominance in the Varsity Shield with a commanding 46-15 victory over UWC at UWC Stadium on Friday, securing promotion to the Varsity Cup. At the same time, both sides booked their places in the semifinals.

The log leaders wasted no time asserting control, striking as early as the first minute through their scrumhalf to take a 5–0 lead. Wits continued to pile on the pressure, and although an early attacking move went unrewarded, they soon extended their advantage. Kevon Chirwa crossed in the corner in the 16th minute, before Lindani Dweba powered over for another try, with the conversion pushing the visitors to a comfortable 22–0 lead.

A yellow card compounded UWC’s struggles against Melvin Diedericks, as Wits maintained their intensity. Despite a yellow card to Bonga Nxumalo late in the half, the visitors went into the break firmly in control at 22–0.

The hosts showed signs of life immediately after the restart, with Diedericks making amends by crashing over for UWC’s opening try. However, Wits quickly responded, with Chris Kachungunu barging through before Kamohelo Ncunca added another to stretch the lead.

UWC produced a late surge, scoring twice in quick succession through Dwayne Badenhorst and Leachim Adams to give the home crowd something to cheer about. But Wits proved too strong, earning a penalty try before Rekkie Gerber added the final touch.

With eight tries to three, Wits showcased why they have been the standout side this season, finishing with six wins and one draw as they march confidently into the FNB Varsity Cup.

Scorers:

UWC:

Tries: Diedericks, Badenhorst, Wood

Wits: 

Tries: Kachungunu 2, Gerber, Opperman, Samuel, Dweba, Chirwa
Cons: Coetzee, Gerber
Player of the Match: Kachungunu (Wits)

Teams:

UWC: Hlonel Qelile, Marciano Forbes, Graigan Matroos, Melumzi Mandongana, Pascal Tshimbalanga, Melvin Diedericks, Dantson Cloete, Anele Magadla, Kowan Baron, Nhlamulo Shilubane, Leachim Adams, Denver Van Wyk, Hlomla Ncana, Juma Amissi, Aaron Swarts.

Wits: Ronan Dutton, Bonga Nxumalo, Meyer Opperman, Liam Terblanche, Hayden Munnery, Marko Kopk, Christopher Kachungunu, Jamaal Feldman, Bryce Samuel, Matthew Coetzee, Lindani Dweba, Tirhanmi Masondo, Keith Chirwa, Kevon Chirwa, Latica Nela.

UKZN 41-22 CPUT

UKZN ran seven tries past CPUT in an emphatic second-half comeback from the home team.

The first try of the afternoon went in the way of the Blue Wave after Denley Adams dotted down for the away team after powerful carrying of the ball from the first whistle. The Cape Town side attempted to take advantage of the new tap power play; however, they were unfortunate.

The home team quickly bounced back not long after. Centre Russel Fick powered over the try line after a close penalty advantage near the try line. The home team also failed to take advantage of a power play, taking the score to a tie of 5–5.

Impi had the momentum with them for a while, made no mistake, and took their advantage through a beautiful team play try. Siso France received a beautiful offload from his scrum half, to down. Converting his own try.

The tug of war continued as the Blue Wave responded to equalise, following a beautiful individual brilliance try by Jaqcuin Jacobus, who sliced through the Impi defense to dot down a Rueben Noble converted try, taking the score to 12–12.

The momentum of the match switched to the away team after discipline issues caused the home side to be 2 players down, a red card for the home captain, and a yellow card for the hooker at the same time.

The away team had the final say of the first half as Sipho Kula finished off a beautiful try from a lineout deep in the half of the IMPI defense, taking the halftime score to 17–12 to the away side.

The second came with a different tune as the home team came back much stronger than their first-half efforts.

The star of the game, Siso France, grabbed his brace of the match after he found a way in the back of the Blue Wave to level the score.

Impi tried the innovative tap play, but it only worked against them as the fly half of CPUT, Rueben Nonle, intercepted and ran the whitewash about 60m on to dot down.

UKZN stepped up their game to run in another try through their Number 6, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, who stretched his arm out on a tight ruck to dot down for Impi. A try converted by Siso France.

The home team went on to get another try by replacement Frederick Malgas, which they topped off with another try by Eloko Kayekeze, who finally got his try in the game, a successful tap power play displayed.

The final try of the match came in at the 70th minute through replacement Zac Smith, who was amongst those who changed the match from the bench. The try was successfully converted by the best-performing player in the match, KZN fullback, Siso France.

Scorers:

UKZN:

Tries: Fick, France 2, Buthelezi, Kayakeze. Malgas, Smith

CPUT:

Tries: Adams, Jacobus, Noble, Kula.

Player that Rocks: Siso France (UKZN)

Teams:

UKZN: Prince Nyathi, Jordan Raamsamy, Ulrich Walker, Ndabezinhle Ngubane, Lusanda Dubazane, Mzwandile Khawula, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, Mthomboyolo Buzani, Lian Lochner, Juan Viljoen, Eloko Kayekeze, Russel Fick, Lwanele Gaba, Jovawn Visagie, Siso France.

CPUT: Emihle Benya, Lindisipho Kul, Kieran Naidoo, Ntsako Mhlanga, Abongile Golela, Simphiwe Thabede, Yibanathi Daki, Denley Adams, Jayson January, Reuben Noble, Samukelisiwe Sandile, Mbuso Maseko, Jacquin Jacobus, Dwayne Atkins, Noah Pekuer.

WSU 15-13 UFH

WSU secured a hard-fought 15–13 victory over UFH at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Round 7 of the 2026 Varsity Shield, booking their place in the semifinals after a tense encounter.

WSU controlled large parts of the first half, showing patience in attack and discipline in defence. Their sustained pressure eventually paid off in the 32nd minute with a well-worked try before adding another just before halftime to take a 10–0 lead into the break.

UFH emerged with renewed intensity in the second half and quickly shifted momentum through a successful Power Play scoring twice in quick succession to level the match at 10-10. The visitors continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with a penalty in the 67th minute, taking a 13–10 lead and putting WSU under pressure heading into the closing stages.

With the game hanging in the balance, WSU responded and crossed the line in the 72nd minute to score a crucial try that restored the hosts’ lead. Despite an unsuccessful Power Play, WSU held firm defensively in the final minutes to secure a narrow victory.

The result carried significant implications for the Varsity Shield standings. WSU needed both a victory and favourable results elsewhere to challenge for the top spot and automatic promotion.

However, Wits’ dominant 46–15 victory over UWC meant WSU finished second on the log.

As a result, WSU will host a home semi-final and remain in contention for promotion via the playoff against the seventh-placed Varsity Cup side, keeping their Varsity Cup ambitions alive.

Scorers:

WSU:

Tries: Sosulwe 2, Sinethemba.

UFH:

Tries: Liyema

Player of the Match: Sosulwe Mqonci (WSU)

Teams:

WSU: Mihlali Nohoyeka, Mangaliso Zixesha Yoyisa Mahobe, Luvo Zindela, Sinentlahla Kesa, Siya Ncapayi, Khanaye Mbakaza, Sandisiwe Mkwayimba, Thembela Folo, Lukhangele Tshayi (C), Bulelani Nondlwana, Pasco Mokoena, Axola Mtalana, Ahlule Zokoza, Sosulwe Mqonci.

UFH: Elihle Mtshemla, Bunono Jamani, Liyabona Matyana, Mpho Ramahala, Liyema Hlitane, Michael Mangava Anda Simanga, Iminathi Macoli, Abongile Yeye, Salusiwe Gxekwa Liyema Ngoyi, Lisolethu Jali, Takudzwa Rushiza Bulumko Mfundisi Ukho Nomsatha.

SPU 36-63 FMadibaz

A gutsy performance from the away team, Madibaz, who dominated the forward game and capitalized on the mistake from FNB SPU to secure the win with clinical lineouts and a devastating maul game, which left the home team licking their wounds after a very long season.

The away team showed up from the opening minute of the game when their eight-man Ruwaan Zealand ran in to dot down and get the game off to a fast start. Minutes later, SPU showed up to the party and scored a brilliant try from player 13, Sithabiso Dube, to make the scores PU 7-5 Madibaz.

The game was a back-and-forth of tries between SPU and Madibaz, with the right wing Cullen Williows pulling one try back to make the scores 7-10 with 12 minutes on the clock.

SPU scored a critical try just before the half break when their forwards powered over, with the try being awarded to SPU Loose head prop Aiden Holtzhausen to make their score 14 -10, with the conversion going into the break.

Shortly after the break, SPU added to the scoreboard with a brilliant try from Dwayne Lubbe, who showed exceptional speed to beat the Madibaz defence and dot down under the posts. An exceptional run from scrum half Onelisiwe Fani pecked back the Gemmies just before half time, but the Gemmies showed that they came ready to play with a dominant display from their forwards, which ended with their Captain Jan Potigter scoring to make the score 26-15 to FNB SPU at halftime.

The second half started with a bang as outside center Sithabiso Dube added his second try of the evening to stretch SPU’s lead shortly into the second half. A great display of running rugby from the Madibaz ended off by inside center Cullen Williows for his second try of the evening.

This was followed by a power play try to make the scores SPU 31-25 Madibaz. That try was the shift in momentum that the Madibaz needed to turn the game on its head. They followed that up with two quick tries, the first by their left flank Sean van Zijil straight from the restart, and then Edward Kruger ended a dominating maul from the forwards with an easy try to put the Madibaz within a point.

SPU errors started to creep in, and they were punished by Brent Klopper, who ended a rolling maul by dotting down to take the lead 36-42. From that point on, Madibaz were unstoppable. A brilliant display of forward rugby by the Madibaz ended with Ruwaan Zealand scoring another simple try to add his second of the evening.

Two quick-fire tries from Madibaz inside centre Christian Van de Merwe and Qurin Cupido ended the game as a contest and took the fire of the Gemmies, leading to another very disappointing defeat for the home team.

Scorers:

SPU:

Tries: Dube 2, Lubbe 2, Holzhausen, Potgieter

Madibaz:

Tries: Zealand 2, Williows 2, Fani, Kruger, Klopper, Van der Merwe, Cupido, Van Zijil.

Player of the Match: Ruwaan Zealand (Madibaz)

Teams:

SPU: Aiden Holtzhausen, Jan Potgieter (C), Emile Noble, Tumelo Papane, Kwandokuhle Dlamini, Kabelo Keagile, Devine Ambrose, Aswen Rademyer, Calvin Paulsen, Keletso Seoposengwe, Malwande Hlophe, Sithabiso Dube, Dwayne Lubbe, Mvelo Ndwalane

Madibaz: Imibongo Mvuleni, Brent Klopper, Aqhamile Limba, Luan Verster, Calvin Bosch, Sean Van Zijl, Dewald Gerber, Ruwaan Zealand, Onelisiwe Fani, Raashied Conrad, Cole Hilpert, Christiaan van der Merwe, Qurin Cupido, Cullen Willows, Layron Milborrow.