Varsity Football semi-final spots decided after dramatic Round 7 showdown

The Varsity Football semi-finalists have been confirmed, with Wits and TUT securing their places in the last four along with UJ and UP-Tuks. Wits defeated DUT 2-1 in Durban to secure top spot on the log after UP-Tuks ended UJ’s winning streak with a 1-0 victory in the Gauteng derby. Defending champions UFS and UWC missed out on the semi-final spots, despite UFS claiming a 2-1 win at Shimla Park as TUT scored four goals to beat UL and advance with a better goal difference.

The semi-finals will see Wits take on TUT and UJ face off against Tuks on Friday 25 September

It was Wits who came out on top in a story of two teams on different sides of the table looking for different rewards in their last game of the round-robin stage.

The visitors didn’t waste any moment as they took the lead just after five minutes, following some moments of errors from the home teams’ back-line. A shot from outside the box, which was spilled by DUT goalie, Sekwanele Mtolo, the spilled ball falling over to a lurking Moila Matswiki who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

The home side tried to manage the game back to normalcy but the weather played against them as the heavy downpour forced a couple of slips on the wet surface from the DUT players.

Just after the half hour mark, the men from Joburg bagged their second goal of the match following a beautiful run from Tebogo Masemola down the left flank who whipped a beautiful cross allowing Thato Putswane to slot in a beautiful second for Wits.

Wits went into the break ahead by two goals to no response from the home team, who struggled immensely in the half.

The second half began quite differently for the home team who looked more aware and desperate for something as they showed positive signs from very first go in the half.

A moment and a lifeline finally came in the 70th minute when the home team’s striker, Bonga Mthembu, was brought down in the box by the Wits goalkeeper, Lwando Mvinjana. Sandiso Xaba stepped up and made no mistake from the spot as he slotted his kick into the back of the net, much to the delight from the home fans who cheered them on under heavy rains adding to the tension of the visitors.

Wits were however able to hold on and take away maximum points to seal their home semi-final position and a possible home final.

UP-Tuks clinch a narrow victory over log leaders UJ to secure a semi-final spot. UP-Tuks locked horns with high-flying UJ with a semi-final spot at stake. The Pretoria outfit started with the intention to get on the scoresheet immediately taking UJ head on however it was the visitors who made early threats coming close to scoring in the opening five-minutes.

The home side remained compact at the back and lethal upfront as they found the back of the net first to open the scorings. Ntokozo Madela’s 17th minute goal got Tuks an early advantage in the clash. UJ fought to get an equalizer before the break however Tuks remained intact and took a slim advantage into the half-time break.

The Stripe Generation returned from the break high in spirit and nearly doubled their lead. Sinalo Nyawose fed an inviting cross inside the box Sibusiso Tolomane saw his header going wide. UJ made early substitutes and nearly reaped the rewards as Tuks looked shaky at the back.

Tebogo Motshelanoka coming close to pulling one back for UJ on two successive occasions. First he received a cut-back cross and only for the Tuks goalkeeper to remain up to the task makes a crucial save, before firing another strike on the edge of box but Madoche Tamba cleared the ball on the line with keeper off his line.

The Orange Army kept posing threats to Stripe Generation looking to maintain their unbeaten run but Tuks held on firm relying on the safe hands of substitute goalkeeper Koketso Mokou.

The University of Limpopo (UL) historic Varsity Football campaign came to an end with a defeat 4-1 to TUT but the final score did not reflect the determination, resilience and fighting spirit that defined UL's remarkable return to the competition.

This season marked a significant milestone for UL, who qualified for Varsity Football for the first time in eight years. Although their campaign ended with one draw and six defeats in seven matches, their commitment and perseverance remained unwavering throughout the tournament.

Playing in front of their home supporters, UL suffered an early setback when TUT's Likho James opened the scoring in the very first minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Just seven minutes later, Akani Rathokoa doubled TUT's advantage with a well-taken header inside the penalty area.

Despite facing an uphill battle, UL refused to let their heads drop. They continued to press forward and compete bravely, even after Rathokoa grabbed his second goal of the match in the 28th minute to extend the score to 3-0.

The second half showcased the true character of the UL side. Facing a formidable TUT team that had enjoyed a strong season, UL continued to battle for every ball and challenge every attack with determination and pride.

TUT added a fourth goal in the 64th minute when Kearabilwe Mphahlele converted a free-kick, however, UL's defining moment arrived seven minutes later. In the 71st minute, Maano Phaswana rose above the defence and powered a brilliant header into the net from inside the 16-yard area to make it 4-1.

More than just a consolation goal, Phaswana's strike symbolised the resilience, courage and fighting spirit that UL displayed throughout their Varsity Football journey. Even with the game seemingly out of reach, they never stopped believing and continued to fight until the final whistle.

Although the campaign ended in defeat, UL can leave the competition with immense pride. Their determination and never-say-die attitude have laid a strong foundation for future success.

That goal by Phaswana was far more than a consolation. It became a symbol of resilience, perseverance and pride for the University of Limpopo team. Phaswana's determination captured the spirit of a side that never gave up and continued battling until the very last whistle.

A new Varsity Football champion will be crowned in 2026 after defending champions, the University of the Free State, failed to qualify for the semi-finals despite beating the University of the Western Cape in testing conditions on Friday evening.

The wet and bitterly cold conditions in Bloemfontein were always going to make for a tricky affair, with the slippery surface making life particularly difficult for the players and taking some of the sting out of the attacking play.

There was a feeling that it would take something special to get the scoreboard ticking - and that is exactly what happened in the 40th minute.

Sachile Nyathi produced a moment of magic, finding the back of the net with a spectacular bicycle kick to put the defending champions in front and send the home crowd into raptures.

However, the joy was short-lived. The visitors from the Mother City hit back on the stroke of half-time, with Zamian Plaatjies finding the equaliser for UWC to send the teams into the break locked at 1-1.

Just minutes into the second half, UFS regained the lead. Ivence Mbhele, who scored a brace last week, found himself one-on-one with UWC goalkeeper Zubeir Mohamed and kept his cool to beat the keeper and restore the home side’s advantage.

UFS held on for the victory despite the miserable conditions but their title defence ultimately came to an end as results elsewhere failed to go their way.

Goal difference proved to be their undoing, bringing the defending champions’ campaign to a frustrating conclusion despite finishing with a hard-fought victory.

For UWC, it was also the end of the road after a determined effort in the Free State. They may not be heading into the semi-finals but they certainly made the defending champions work for every inch on a cold and wet night in Bloemfontein.