Maties to face old foe UCT in Varsity Cup 2025 final

UCT are through to their fourth consecutive final after defeating UP-Tuks at Tuks Stadium with a decisive performance while log leaders Maties 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 the the Stripe Generation this season while the Maroon Machine avenged their loss to the Shimlas in last year’s semifinals.

The Cape sides will face off on 14 April in the FNB Varsity Cup final.

FNB UP-Tuks 35-48 FNB UCT Ikeys

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

A relentless performance from the visitors cornered Tuks to surrender a place in the finals of the Varsity Cup 2025.

The Ikeys introduced themselves with two back-to-back tries to cement their dominance in the opening 10 minutes courtesy of Thomas Nel and Luke Burger.

A brilliant piece of play from Nel registered the first points on the board before Burger powered over to double the lead.

Tuks responded with three back-to-back points 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 more points, six from the visitors and three for the Stripe Generation.

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

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

The halftime talks from Tuks proved to do the trick as they returned with a try, an astonishing break from Kamohelo Tlome setting up Andile Myeni for the hosts' second try of the night.

An immediate response from the travelers saw Nel dotting down to complete his brace.

Keagan Blanckenberg powered over the line to stretch UCT's 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 defence 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 an impressive run of kicks from the spot by Ntokozo Makhaza secured a 35-48 victory in favour of the visitors.

SCORERS

FNB UP-Tuks: 35 (14)

Tries: MJ Nel, Andile Myeni, Cayno February, Bom Louw.

FNB UCT Ikeys: 48 (29)

Tries: Thomas Nel (2), Luke Burger, Xola Nyali, Keagan Blanckenberg.

FNB Player That Rocks: Keagan Blanckenberg (FNB UCT Ikeys)

TEAMS

FNB UP-Tuks: MJ Nel, Ruan van Blommestein, Bom Louw, Lilitha Matsiliza, Roald Hattingh, Kamohelo Tlome, Haydn Kemp, Dillon Smith ©, Damon OConnell, Jandre Burger, Munashe Dukuswa, Keane Galant, Tharquinn Manuel, Andile Myeni, Ambesa Zenzile.

FNB UCT Ikeys: Matthew Beckett, Keagan Blanckenberg, Zachary Pothen, Enos Ndiao, Danio Botha, Siphomezo Dyonase, Connor Jack Gordon, Xola Nyali, Monray Daars, Alex Vermeulen, Ntokozo Makhaza, Luke Burger, Thomas Nel, Rethabile Louw, Duran Rayn Koevort.

FNB Maties 19-7 FNB 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, led by coach Kabamba Floors, 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 capitalise on all their chances, the men from Bloemfontein earned a penalty try, closing the gap to 9-7 at halftime.

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

FNB Maties: 19 (9)

Tries: Grant De Jager.

FNB UFS Shimlas: 7 (9)

Tries: Penalty Try

FNB Player that Rocks: Carel Van Der Merwe (FNB Maties)

TEAMS:

FNB Matis: Armand Combrink, Carel Van Der Merwe, Christiaan Van Heerden Smith, CJ Marx, Dylan Miller, Elridge Jack, Ethan Snyman, Fortune Mpofu, Grant De Jager, Herman Lubbe, Luan Botha, Mckyle Volmoer, Prince Mulea, Ryan Manuel, Zuko Poswa.

FNB UFS Shimlas: Ben Pitout, Bradley Giddy, Freddie Dreyer, HJ De Beer, Hlumelo Klaas, Jacobus Bezuidenhout, Kirwin Du Preez, Liam Shamburg, Marno Stopforth, Nkoka Ngobe, Ntokozo Hlope, Ramon Uys, Regan Izaks, Renier Viljoen, Siviwe Zondani.

Final: FNB Maties v FNB UCT, 14 April, Danie Craven Stadium