Tuks stun defending champions as 2026 Varsity Football kicks off in style

UP-Tuks produced the biggest result of the opening round of the 2026 Varsity Football season, coming from behind to stun defending champions UFS 4-2 at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein. At the Oscar Mpetha Stadium, DUT secured all three points with a convincing 2-0 victory over the University of Limpopo (UL). In the Gauteng derby, UJ claimed local bragging rights after edging TUT 1-0, while UWC and Wits were forced to settle for a share of the spoils following a hard-fought goalless draw at the UWC Stadium.

UP-Tuks produced a clinical second-half performance to defeat defending champions UFS in a thrilling opening match of the 2026 Varsity Football tournament at Shimla Park on Friday.

The visitors started brightly and almost made the perfect start, applying immediate pressure from kick-off. Both sides created early opportunities as they battled for control in midfield, but neither could find the breakthrough during an entertaining opening 20 minutes.

Tuks eventually opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Matome Rangata split the defence with a superb pass to Phiwayinkhosi Dube, whose delivery caused panic in the Shimlas box before Ntokozo Madela reacted quickest to slot home the opening goal of the 2026 competition.

The hosts responded six minutes later when they were awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Lethokuhle Makhaya confidently stepped up and sent his opposite number the wrong way to level the scores. UFS then turned the game on its head in the 37th minute after a costly defensive mistake by Tuks allowed captain Jarome Jansen to score and give the defending champions a 2-1 half-time lead.

Tuks came out firing after the break and capitalised on another defensive error in the 51st minute, with Rangata punishing the hosts to make it 2-2.

The momentum had shifted, and Samukelo Ngodela completed the turnaround with a towering header in the 66th minute from a perfectly delivered cross. Paballo Mamabolo then sealed an impressive victory in the 77th minute, producing a clever backheel through the goalkeeper's legs after a deflected long-range effort to secure a memorable 4-2 win for The Stripe Generation.

The University of Limpopo (UL) were handed a reality check in their 2026 Varsity Football opener as Durban University of Technology (DUT) produced a dominant second-half display to secure a solid victory at the Oscar Mpetha Stadium on Friday.

With the home crowd ready for action, both sides came out cautiously, battling for possession and looking to find an early opening. UL threatened from set-pieces, registering three free-kicks and three corners, while DUT remained disciplined at the back.

The first half continued to unfold as a tense battle, with neither side able to find the final touch. Just when it looked like one team might blink, the whistle went half-time with the scores locked at 0-0.

UL were forced into an early change shortly after the restart, with the injured player making way for a replacement in the 46th minute.

Then the game exploded into life as DUT was awarded a penalty and Nkululeko Nkosi stepped forward. Number three showed no signs of nerves, calmly converting from the spot to put DUT 1-0.

UL immediately had to chase the game, while DUT grew confidence. The visitors continued to press and were rewarded again, finding a second goal to stretch their lead to 2-0.

The late stages became a test of character for UL, who pushed for a way back, while DUT focused on protecting their advantage. Six minutes of additional time gave the home side one last window of opportunity, but DUT held firm until the final whistle.

DUT walked away with the points and the bragging rights, while UL will have to regroup after a difficult opening night.

The opening match of the tournament between UWC and Wits failed to produce the spectacle many had expected, ending in a goalless draw at the UWC Stadium. With both sides playing their first fixture of the competition and UWC boasting a strong home record, supporters anticipated an entertaining contest. Instead, they were treated to a hard-fought tactical battle with few clear-cut chances.

Wits made the brighter start and controlled much of the first half, pinning UWC inside their own half for long periods. Midfielders Tebogo Masemola and Tshimologo Mokae dictated the tempo and kept the hosts on the back foot, making life difficult for UWC's midfield pairing of Sesethu Ntuku-Ntuku and Vuyani Ncontsa. Despite the sustained pressure, UWC's defence remained disciplined and denied the visitors any breakthrough.

The match swung in UWC's favour after the break. Coach Lwando Mdleleni's decision to introduce captain Lebo Matima and Lupholo Zini at half-time transformed the home side's attacking play. Their energy and composure helped UWC gain control of possession and create several promising opportunities.

Lwando Mdleleni's substitutions continued to pay dividends when Tyrese Davids entered the fray. The forward found himself in two excellent scoring positions but was unable to convert either chance as Wits held firm.

As the clock wound down, UWC piled on the pressure in search of a winner. Wits goalkeeper Reddel Duh proved the difference, producing two outstanding saves to preserve a valuable point for the visitors.

Although UWC finished the stronger of the two sides, they were left to rue their missed opportunities. Wits, meanwhile, almost snatched victory on the counterattack in the closing stages, ensuring both teams had to settle for a point from an evenly contested encounter.

The UJ Soweto Stadium was electric on Friday night as a sold-out crowd packed the stands to witness an intense, tactical showdown between the UJ and TUT Men's teams in the opening round of the Varsity Football tournament.

From the opening whistle, UJ controlled the tempo with crisp movement and dominant possession. However, TUT quickly found their footing, proving why they remain serious tournament contenders. While both sides displayed exceptional discipline, clear-cut chances were hard to come by in a tightly contested first half. TUT’s best opportunity came when Likho James found himself one-on-one with UJ goalkeeper Bayanda Mkhonza, only to fire his shot directly at the keeper. Despite relentless box-to-box action, solid defensive setups on both ends kept the scoreline deadlocked at 0-0 going into the break.

The second half picked up with the same high-octane intensity, though space remained at a premium - UJ managed four shots on target to TUT's three. The decisive moment finally arrived in the 65th minute when UJ’s Elija Banda was brought down inside the penalty area. Stepping up to the spot, left-footed maestro Moraka Mathidza struck a powerful penalty into the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

UJ controlled 55% of the possession and held their composure through the final whistle to repeat their 2025 triumph over TUT in the group stages. Mathidza’s lone penalty proved to be the difference, securing a crucial three points for UJ in a gripping, tactical battle to start their season.