FNB Varsity Cup 2026 explodes into life with try-filled opening round

The opening round of the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup delivered a wave of high-scoring, dominant performances across the board, highlighted by FNB UP-Tuks stunning defending champions FNB UCT Ikeys 38-22 at Tuks Stadium. FNB UFS Shimlas launched their campaign in emphatic fashion, overpowering FNB Maties 50-39 in a high-tempo thriller that produced 13 tries at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein. At CUT Stadium, FNB NWU Eagles claimed all the points in a high-scoring clash, defeating the home side FNB CUT 59-42 in an attacking spectacle. While in Johannesburg, FNB UJ ran rampant in their opening fixture, sealing a comprehensive 61-41 victory over newly promoted FNB Emeris in a dominant display.

FNB UFS Shimlas 50-39 FNB Maties

The FNB UFS Shimlas drew first blood in the 2026 Varsity Cup with a thrilling bonus-point victory over the FNB Maties at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.

The high-scoring clash marked a historic moment in the tournament’s history, with the first-ever PowerPlay (tap) tries being scored. That honour, however, went to the visitors from the Cape Winelands.

Shimlas burst out of the blocks, racing into a commanding 21-0 lead within the first 25 minutes. Winger Kirwin du Preez, centre Wynand Botha, and hooker Jaco Bezuidenhout all crossed the whitewash as the hosts stamped their authority early on.

Just minutes before half-time, Maties clawed their way back with a second try. Instead of opting for a routine conversion, they backed themselves and went for the quick tap, which paid off handsomely as CJ Marx crashed over to score the tournament’s first-ever powerplay try.

Shimlas went into the break holding a slender 21-17 lead after a momentum-swinging end to the half.

Maties came out firing in the second stanza, with Christiaan van Heerden Smith and Armand Combrinck dotting down to swing the pressure onto the home side. But Shimlas responded in style. The impressive lock Maynard Kleynhans showed surprising pace, beating defenders down the touchline like a winger to score in the corner. Liam Shamburg then added his name to the scoresheet in a standout performance that earned him the Player of the Match award.

Captain Bradley Giddy kept his composure under pressure, slotting two long-range kicks to stretch the lead and put the game seemingly out of reach for the five-time champions. Yet Maties refused to roll over.

Replacement hooker CJ Erasmus powered over on the stroke of full-time, and in another successful powerplay move, lock Zuko Poswa grabbed an additional five points to keep the scoreboard ticking.

In the end, FNB UFS Shimlas had done enough to secure a memorable opening-night victory in front of their passionate home crowd.

The evening was also a poignant one in Bloemfontein, as the Shimlas paid tribute to two recently departed legends of the game - Oom Tat Botha and former Springbok hooker Wessel Lightfoot - making the victory even more meaningful on a special night at Shimla Park.

Bloemfontein also witnessed a landmark moment in South African sport on Monday night as a solar-powered airship soared above the stadium during the opening clash of the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup.

In a first for a rugby match in South Africa, the Cloudline Sc-240 airship took to the skies, circling the venue and delivering a striking aerial presence that elevated an already electric atmosphere. The pioneering aircraft provided a powerful visual spectacle for fans in attendance and viewers watching around the country, marking a bold new chapter in sports event innovation.

Developed by Stellenbosch-based company Cloudline, the Sc-240 is the world’s first commercially available solar-powered airship in its class. Powered by solar-recharged batteries and lifted by helium, the airship can remain airborne for more than 10 hours with zero carbon emissions. Its appearance at the FNB Varsity Cup opener showcased not only cutting-edge technology, but proudly South African engineering on a national stage.

As Shimlas and Maties battled it out on the field, the silent presence of the airship above symbolised the forward-thinking spirit of the tournament itself. The FNB Varsity Cup has long been recognised as a platform for innovation in university rugby and Monday night reinforced that reputation with a first-of-its-kind aerial activation.

Beyond its impact as an advertising and broadcast platform, the Sc-240 represents a broader shift towards sustainable aerial solutions. With the ability to carry payloads of up to 40 kilograms and operate at a fraction of the cost of traditional aerial systems, the airship opens new possibilities for environmental monitoring, disaster response and resource surveying.

For the thousands of fans packed into the stadium, however, the focus was simple: history was unfolding above their heads.

The successful flight over the Bloemfontein venue signals the beginning of an exciting new dimension in live sporting experiences in South Africa. As the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup campaign gathers momentum, Monday night’s airship display will be remembered as the moment innovation quite literally took flight.

FNB UP-Tuks 38-22 FNB UCT Ikeys

FNB UP-Tuks produced a stirring comeback to secure an emphatic victory over the defending champions as the FNB Varsity Cup burst into life at a packed Tuks Stadium. The Pretoria side rose to the occasion against FNB UCT Ikeys, overturning an early deficit in a high-intensity, action-packed encounter.

Sloppy start from the home side as they conceded an early try. Winger Lezane Davis dotting down for Ikeys inside the first minute for a point of origin try. The home side responded quickly through captain Dillon Smith also with a point of origin try, newly signed flyhalf Divan du Toit completing the extras.

Feisty opening minutes with end-to-end action. The visitors were just getting started as they continued keeping Tuks at bay. Their efforts were swiftly rewarded with winger Jack Benade scoring another point of origin try.

FNB UP-Tuks looked dangerous on transition, coming within inches of scoring twice in the space of two minutes as they piled pressure on the defence. The Stripe Generation grabbing the lead for the first time through winger Andile Myeni’s back-to-back tries. Individual brilliance from Myeni as he cut through FNB UCT Ikeys defence like a sharp knife.

The winger wasted no time in completing his brace with a cheeky piece of play. Du Toit with a cross-field kick that finds Myeni out wide as FNB Tuks takes all the points.

Deway Swartbooi’s troops were not done as they extended their lead to 11 points through Abel Pretorius. The big flank powers over from a driving maul. FNB Tuks leading 28-17 at the interval.

The two sides returned from the break composed and focused on their game plans. The home side maintained their healthy lead, while the Ikeys struggled to find cohesion. In the 68th minute, FNB Tuks extended their advantage through centre Kobus Janse van Rensburg but the visitors quickly responded with a try from Aiden Norris five minutes later. The remainder of the half remained scrappy until fullback Hopewell Ntshangase dived in the corner to seal Tuks’ 38-22 victory.

FNB UJ 61-41 FNB Emeris

A clinical second-half performance secured a comprehensive victory for FNB UJ against FNB Emeris in the opening round of the 2026FNB Varsity Cup at the UJ Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday.

The home side showed flare, tenacity and grit to down the newcomers in front of a sold-out crowd.

The first half was evenly matched but the FNB Emeris led 21-19 courtesy of a brace by electric winger, Nkazimulo Mzolo and a try by Jacques Marais.

The hosts were equally competitive and gave their supporters something to cheer about.

Ughan Africa opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Reuven Ferreira struck in the 26th minute.

Captain, Thabang Mphafi, showed why he’s the trusted leader and sliced his way past the FNB Emeris defence for his side’s third.

The second half was all about FNB UJ as they went up a notch, playing an exciting brand of rugby.

Flyhalf Nicallen Gabrielsen dotted over, converted his own try and slotted over a penalty to snatch the lead for his side.

FNB UJ’s forwards were phenomenal, and as a result, they scored three tries from a rolling maul through Kamo Molefe, Ryan Marimo and the reliable Josh du Toit.

The FNB Emeris showed positive signs late on with back-to-back tries by Juan Orde Steyl and Edward Sigauke after opting for the tap instead of a conversion.

Steyl scored his second in the 80th minute but the hosts closed the game off with two tries scored by Tholithemba Sobisi and Du Toit before JT Kapank scored a late penalty to seal the win.

FNB CUT 42-59 FNB NWU Eagles

It was an absolute try-fest in Bloemfontein as a powerful second-half surge saw the FNB NWU Eagles claim a hard-fought victory to kick-off their 2026 Varsity Cup campaign in style against FNB CUT.

While the forwards laid the platform with some serious hard graft up front, it was winger Therlow Prins who stole the headlines with a scintillating hat-trick. Every time he touched the ball, something special seemed to happen.

The first half at a packed CUT Park was frenetic, with end-to-end action keeping supporters on the edge of their seats. The visitors from Potchefstroom struck first, hooker Jordan McLoughlin rumbling over from a driving maul to open the scoring.

The Ixias hit back almost immediately. Jade Muller dotted down, and Kehan Myburgh added the extras to level matters. From there, it became a shoot-out. Prins crossed for the FNB NWU Eagles but Winton Abrahams responded for the Bloemfontein outfit with a well-worked Point of Origin try.

Another seven-point effort, this time from Raydon Swartblooi, followed by a powerplay score from Malcolm Lamont, saw CUT surge into a commanding 31-14 lead and swing the momentum firmly in their favour.

FNB NWU Eagles, however, refused to go away. Luyolo Doyi got them back into the contest before captain Stephan Krugel crashed over during the PowerPlay. A Myburgh penalty ensured FNB CUT took a 34-24 advantage into the break.

The second half told a different story.

FNB NWU Eagles came out firing, with McLoughlin completing his brace to spark the comeback. The Eagles then struck twice in quick succession to edge ahead, silencing the home crowd. Emlyhn Jacobs kept FNB CUT in the fight with a crucial try, but the two-time champions began to assert their authority.

Guhan du Bois crossed as the visitors tightened their grip on proceedings, before Hanro Venter dotted down to seal an impressive win for the men from the North West.

FNB CUT may not have been able to close it out but there were plenty of positives for the Bloemfontein side. The team that took the field on Monday night looked a far cry from the outfit that struggled in the previous two seasons of the Varsity Cup. On this showing, they will trouble more than a few teams in 2026.