Big comeback win for Comets over Gemmies while the Cape sides remain unbeaten in Varsity Shield

A dramatic showdown at a rain-soaked Suzuki Stadium in Kimberely saw FNB Varsity College come back from 21-0 down to beat host FNB SPU while FNB CPUT maintained their unbeaten run in the 2025 Varsity Shield tournament, easing past FNB WSU at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London on Friday. FNB UWC also remained undefeated and stay top of the log after thrashing FNB UFH in Bellville, while FNB Madibaz and FNB Varsity College won on the road.

FNB WSU 20-34 FNB CPUT

CPUT maintained their unbeaten run in the Varsity Shield tournament after defeating WSU at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London.

CPUT entered the clash on the back of a nervy 22-20 win over Sol Plaatje in round two in Kimberly.

Facing a tough and hostile crowd, they began the match slowly but asserted their dominance after the 20-minute mark.

The Cape Town side scored three tries courtesy of Nkosephayo Ngema, Sandile Madonsela and Jacquin Jacobus. WSU, meanwhile, managed one score by Khanya Solani and a penalty by flyhalf Isiphe Mbini.

The two sides went into the break with CPUT leading 22-8.

It was a tightly contested second stanza with both sides applying pressure and playing some Champagne rugby.

CPUT were, however, the more clinical side in the second 40. They scored two great team tries by Ngema and Jacobus who both secured their braces.

Try as they may, WSU never managed to get a fold hold in the game.

FNB UWC 38-13 FNB UFH

UWC scored three converted tries in the second half to overcome UFH at home in Bellville and maintain their unbeaten run in the Varsity Shield this season.

It was a tight first half with the boot of UFH scrumhalf Sinalo Jivana keeping the away side in the match with two fantastic long-range efforts to help his side to 13 points after winger Bulumko Mfundisi opened the scoring for UFH.

But Jivana’s second penalty, in the 26th minute, was the last point of the match for the away side. UWC scored three first-half tries of their own but flyhalf Aaron Swart was less accurate with the boot, allowing UFH to keep things close.

But UWC came out firing in the second half with loose forward Nicholas Chipanje and scrumhalf Conwill Conradie going over for close-range tries.

The try of the match came with 13 minutes to go when UWC decided to run from a five-metre line-out. A couple of aggressive runs from their hard-working forwards saw them eat metres up before the backs got involved to take play over the halfway line.

Fast delivery at the ruck by Player of the Match Conradie and backs and forwards interplaying saw loose forward Leighton Damon gallop 30 metres and go over for his team’s sixth try of the match, securing a third straight win for UWC.

FNB UKZN 13-21 FNB Madibaz

Wet conditions were the order of the day when UKZN battled against Madibaz on the other part of KZN sides home ground in Pietermaritzburg.

It took the away team three minutes for them to get the first try in, Goedhals De Wet finishing off a move from the away team after applying constant early pressure which finally paid off. Flyhalf Caleb Friskin did not waste the opportunity to add a further two points for his team as his conversion was good.

Both teams wrestled against each other, as both defenses were tested, however, the score remained the same in the first strategy break with the away team having the advantage.

In the same phase as the first quarter, the away team again took another step forward with a successfully Friskins’ converted try. Sean Van Zyl capitalised on a UKZN slip and intercepted from halfway off running all the way to dotting down over the whitewash.

The score into the half-time was 14-0 to the away team.

The second half came as both teams continued to test each other on strength and speed, with the home team looking on the better side.

The IMPI pressure finally paid off as young flyhalf Siso France gave his team some points from two penalties that he made no mistake with, taking the score to 14-6 into the second SUZUKI Strategy break.

The last 20 minutes were the most entertaining as UKZN looked dangerous. Siso France finally made the pressure count, five minutes from time to take the scoreboard to 14-13 with a try he converted himself.

It was the best player in the field who silenced the home crowd with a last minute Raashied Conrad converted try taking it home for the away team.

FNB SPU 36-43 FNB Varsity College

A rain-soaked Suzuki Stadium witnessed a thrilling 11 try encounter between hosts SPU and the Varsity College Comets. The home side came out guns blazing scoring three quick tries through Jaiden Faviers, Jan Potgieter and Stephan du Toit before the first strategy break.

The visitors looked visibly flustered but a try by Jaque Marias was the catalyst for an epic comeback that saw the Comets equalise at 21 a piece as Gemmies kicking maestro Khanya Kama put the locals three points clear at the break.

The second half was an end-to-end battle that saw Edward Sigauke pick up his brace and the Comets take the lead in the 68th minute.

SPU clawed their way back into the game and were trailing by three points with four minutes remaining.

The Durban North outfit, who finished runner's-up last season, had the final say when Chandler Green scored at the death to give the Comets a well-deserved win.