Maties crowned FNB Varsity Cup Women 2025 champions

FNB Maties came out victorious in the FNB Varsity Cup Women 2025 final, reclaiming the title they won in 2023 as they defeated FNB Tuks Women by 21-10 in Durban on Friday.

The game began cautiously on both sides, with FNB Maties slowly building momentum towards UP-Tuks' try-line.

The 2023 champions were finally rewarded for their efforts when an amazing break from Shanidine Bezuidenhout absolutely cut through the Pretoria ladies’ defence, scoring a try, which was beautifully converted by Maties fly-half Number 10, Elme Kruger.

FNB Tuks were slowly building as well and eventually earned themselves a run over the try line, a beautiful driving maul which was too strong for the Maties defence. Gina Moya was the one to dot down at the end, 9-5 to Maties.

It was a back-and-forth for the rest of the half, until Kruger dotted down a beautiful team try in the far corner which she failed to convert, taking the halftime score to 14-5 to FNB Maties.

Ten minutes into the second half, Tuks tried to claw their way back into contention when Lerato Tshabalala beautifully laid it off for Kwanga Majebe for an excellent finish, 14-10 to Maties.

The Maties win was sealed when captain Elizabeth Slabbert found her way through that FNB Tuks Women's back block to dot down the final try of the match under the poles, with a good Kruger conversion sealing the deal 21-10.

SCORERS

FNB Maties Women: 21 (14)

Tries: Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Elme Kruger, Elizabeth Slabbert

FNB Tuks Women: 10 (5)

Tries: Kwanga Majebe, Gina Moya

FNB Player that Rocks: Ankia Viljoen (FNB Maties Women)

TEAMS:

FNB Maties Women: Erin Bond, Juan-Mari Du Plessis, Sesethu Ntamnani, Sarah Krone, Lekobane Masebe, Stefney-Rose De Vries, Ankia Viljoen, Ziane Muller, Taliyah Bussak, Elme Kruger, Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Zelmari Pretorius, Elizabeth Slabbert (c), Jade Nicole Daniels, Kayleen Muggles.

FNB Tuks Women: Nomzamo Nimorundsini, Aphiwe Masuku, Naki Thukutha, Mbali Ndlovu, Rethabile Kgatle, Thandi Mokatse, Gina Moyà, Ox Xholi, Erin Prins, Precious Tlaka (c), Innocentia Kgosana, Gugu Mncwabe, Lerato Tshabalala, Amukelani Lisenga, Kwanga MaJebe.

Replacements: LeOne De Bruyn, Arnell Primo, Sharon Stoaba, Zinzi Shabangu, Marisna Godsil, Kgotso Letsoalo, Raylene Muller, Thato Nkadimeng.