Wits, UWC, Madibaz and WSU enjoy statement wins in FNB Varsity Shield

Round 2 of the 2026 FNB Varsity Shield saw dominant displays across the board. FNB Wits put on a clinical performance at home, running away with a 51-0 thrashing of FNB UFH for their first home win of the season. In the Cape derby, FNB UWC overpowered FNB CPUT 51-32 in a thrilling encounter at UWC Stadium, with Hlomla Ncana’s hat-trick and an all-round masterclass from Player of the Match Aaron Swartz sealing a statement victory. FNB Madibaz bounced back in style, treating a packed Madibaz Stadium to a relentless attacking display in a 60-32 win over FNB UKZN. Meanwhile, FNB WSU stormed the Northern Cape side FNB SPU, cruising to a 48-22 road victory at Suzuki Stadium.

FNB Madibaz 60-32 FNB UKZN

The huge crowd that filled Madibaz Stadium on Friday afternoon could hardly have asked for better as their side romped to victory against FNB UKZN.

The emphatic win was noted as much for the way Madibaz bounced back from their opening-round defeat to FNB CPUT as it was the significant points difference.

FNB Madibaz veteran Kyle Erasmus scored the home side’s first try of the day but his joy was short-lived as only a minute later FNB UKZN winger Lwanele Gaba darted in from broken play.

Dewald Gerber gave the men from Nelson Mandela Bay the ascendancy again when he crossed the line seven minutes later. His try was followed up by one from his skipper Eddie Kruger.

When star loose-forward Sean van Zijl dotted down for one of his own in the 36th minute, the result already looked to be beyond doubt.

FNB UKZN, however, was having none of it. Two minutes into added time centre Frederick Malgas broke the line to score. The visitors then opted for a tap instead of a conversion and made it count when Abulele Bolotini went over.

Suddenly it was a ball game again as the sides went into the tunnel at the break.

Unfortunately for FNB UKZN that was to be the last time they were able to put any real pressure on their hosts.

In the second stanza it became a try-fest for the team in blue and, while Malgas and replacement back Jovawn Visagie scored some beauties for FNB UKZN, FNB Madibaz were simply too far ahead by that stage.

FNB UWC 51-32 FNB CPUT

FNB UWC claimed bragging rights in an entertaining Cape derby after defeating FNB CPUT in a high-scoring FNB Varsity Shield clash at UWC Stadium on Friday evening.

The home side set the tone early, breaking the deadlock in the third minute when scrumhalf Dywane Badenhorst dotted down following a powerful rolling maul, with fullback Aaron Swartz adding the extras. Although FNB CPUT responded through hooker Lindisipho Kula from a line-out drive, FNB UWC’s dominance up front proved decisive.

Centre Hlomla Ncana was instrumental in the first half, crossing twice - including a superb finish in the corner as FNB UWC built a commanding 22-5 half-time lead.

The visitors showed renewed intent after the break, with Dwayne Atkins grabbing two tries to keep FNB CPUT in contention. However, FNB UWC’s forward pack continued to impose themselves, with winger Amisi Juma and substitute Keno Alexander extending the advantage.

Ncana completed a memorable hat-trick in the 69th minute before Leighton Damon and Juma added further tries to seal the result. FNB CPUT fought until the end, adding late scores through Jacquin Jacobus and Yibanathi Phoncana but FNB UWC had the final say. Swartz, who controlled proceedings brilliantly from the back and contributed valuable points from the tee, was deservedly named Player of the Match.

FNB Wits 51-0 FNB UFH

A dominant first half performance saw FNB Wits seal their first win of the 2026 FNB Varsity Shield after thumping FNB UFH at the Wits Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday. Playing in front of their home supporters for the first time, the Wits Blues were clinical in attack and used their forwards to bully FNB UFH upfront.

The first half produced a whopping five tries, two of which were scored by flanker Liam Santos from the back of a rolling maul in the third and 18th minute, respectively.

Scrumhalf, Bryce Samuel, also got his name on the scoring sheet after some smart thinking around the ruck. Hayden Munnery extended his side’s lead after they opted for a quick tap instead of converting.

That score took Wits to 22-0 after the first quarter before Jamaal Feldman barged over in the 27th minute to make it 29-0. The visitors needed to respond in the second half but instead it was Wits who had a bright start.

Lindani Dweba extended his side’s lead by 34 points after relentless pressure in their opponent’s half. The electric centre sealed his brace shortly after to take his side lead to 39-0.

It was cruise control from there on. Santos completed his hat-trick before the hour mark with, yet another try from a rolling maul.

Both teams were down to 14 men at some point after Santos and Mpho Ramahala were shown their marching orders for cynical play. The hosts sealed the game with a try by the captain, Latica Nela, in the 66th minute after he was put through by Matthew Coetzee.

FNB SPU 22-48 FNB WSU

FNB WSU delivered a gutsy away performance, dominating with clinical scrums and a relentless maul that left the home side scrambling for answers.

The away team showed up with a clear game plan and a mastered mind one of the most dominated displays of front foot rugby seen at the Sukuzi Staduim.

From the eighth minute, FNB WSU seized control as eighth man Sipho Hoboasch powered over from the back of a maul, kicking off the onslaught. Asisipho Jim added a second try in the 15th minute, putting WSU firmly in charge at 14-0 over FNB SPU.

Managaliso Zixhesha stepped forward to add more pressure on the home team with the third try on the 24th Min to make the score FNB WSU 19-0 FNB SPU.

FNB SPU Finally joined the party and added their name to the scoresheet with a spectacular try to bring the home crowd to their feet.

FNB WSU replied with instantly with a two tries first from its winger Ahlule Zokoza who run it in underneath the post for a easy conversion and then a brilliant maul from a line out lead to Managaliso Zixhesha adding to his tally ending the half with the score FNB WSU 31-5 FNB SPU.

The second half started off slow, until FNB WSU dotted down with a hattrick from hooker Managaliso Zixhesha followed by a power play which failed.

FNB SPU finally brought that Gemmie Fire with two a try from their winger Raees Sahabodien and star player Jaiden Faviers and they added to that with a power play try from Emile Noble.

However, the away team ended the contest with two late tries from their prop and No 8 to seal a convincing win for the away team.