WSU bring the fire against UWC and Wits top the log after FNB Varsity Shield Round 3

Round 3 of the FNB Varsity Shield saw FNB WSU stun the UWC Caracals to remain unbeaten while the University of the Witwatersrand delivered a ruthless attacking performance to thrash FNB UKZN at Howard College Stadium. FNB CPUT were equally impressive at home to claiming an emphatic triumph over FNB SPU while FNB Madibaz made it back-to-back wins after defeating their Eastern Cape neighbours FNB UFH at Davidson Stadium.

FNB UFH 11-49 FNB Madibaz

FNB Madibaz produced a commanding display at Davidson Stadium, crossing the whitewash eight times to seal a comprehensive victory over FNB UFH.

The visitors wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Luan Verster finishing off a slick lineout move in the fourth minute to open the scoring. FNB Madibaz immediately capitalised on their momentum during a power play period, putting FNB UFH under sustained pressure early on.

The hosts responded in the eighth minute after a period of patient build-up play created space out wide for Liyema Ngoyi to dive over in the corner. However, Ukho Nomsatha was unable to add the extras, leaving FNB UFH trailing as FNB Madibaz continued to control proceedings.

FNB Madibaz quickly regained control. Cupido powered over under the posts in the 12th minute, with Layron Milborrow converting. Nomsatha added a penalty for UFH two minutes later but Madibaz attacking dominance continued. Dewald Gerber scored their third in the 17th minute, converted by Milborrow.

Despite Verster receiving a yellow card before the strategy break, FNB Madibaz remained in control. Kyle Erasmus added the fourth try in the 22nd minute, and during their power play Caleb Frikins crossed for the fifth. A penalty try in the 28th minute further extended the lead, with Mikel Mangava yellow-carded. Milborrow’s penalty on the stroke of half-time made it 39-11.

The second half was more tactical, with both teams making substitutions. FNB UFH’s Mihle Mandela was yellow carded in the 67th minute. FNB Madibaz added further tries through Mtika Oliphant and Milborrow, while Chad Weimann also saw yellow.

Madibaz clinical execution and first-half dominance proved decisive as they comfortably outplayed FNB UFH in Alice.

FNB WSU 29-10 FNB UWC

FNB WSU produced a commanding second-half performance to defeat FNB UWC in their 2026 FNB Varsity Shield Round 3 clash at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

The opening exchanges were tightly contested, with both sides testing each other at scrum time and battling for territorial control. FNB WSU’s forwards laid an early marker earning penalties through a solid set-piece foundation. The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when scrumhalf Thembela Folo sniped from close range to score the opening try after quick ball at the base.

The hosts carried a narrow 5-0 lead into half-time following disciplined defensive work that kept UWC scoreless despite sustained pressure.

The second half saw momentum shift decisively in FNB WSU’s favour. After returning to a full complement of players, FNB WSU struck early before FNB UWC responded with a PowerPlay try that briefly swung momentum.

However, a crucial penalty try awarded to FNB WSU restored control and the introduction of the host's “Bomb Squad” proved decisive as the pack dominated scrum time inside their own half.

With 10 minutes remaining, FNB WSU maintained territorial discipline before sealing the result with a late try in the 78th minute. Their structured attack and forward dominance ensured a deserved victory.

FNB UKZN 3-55 FNB WITS

There was unfinished business when FNB UKZN faced FNB Wits in a clash reminiscent of the 2015 FNB Varsity Shield final.

Impi drew first blood after an early infringement handed vice-captain Siso France a straightforward penalty opportunity, which he calmly slotted from 20 metres out in front of the uprights.

FNB Wits didn’t take that very friendly as they pounded the home side with speed and aggression scoring two tries back-to-back, one from Liam Santos and the other from Meyer Opperman. Rekkie Gerber successfully scoring both tries.

The Impi back line began making mistakes as they conceded two yellow cards in between those plays, making things even difficult for themselves.

Just after the first Suzuki Strat-Break, the visitors capitalized on the momentum and added two more tries through Ronan Dutton and Jamaal Feldman. The latter try was converted by the FNB Wits flyhalf Gerber while the former ended in an unsuccessful tap PowerPlay, 26-3 to FNB Wits.

Christopher Kachungunu and MacMillen Mongwana both showcased their speed and fighting spirit as they ripped the Impi defense into between, adding two more tries for FNB Wits as Gerber converted one more try taking the half-time score to 38-3.

The second half started on a much slower pace as the visitors looked the better side to do more damage. FNB Wits finally broke free, as Liam Terblanche came off the bench to add his name to the scoresheet.

The men from Joburg completed their festival in KZN as they added two more tries to the score line courtesy of a successful power play double try from Latica Nela and Lindani Dweba to take the score to 55-3.

FNB CPUT 56-25 FNB SPU

On Friday at the Cape University of Technology Stadium in Bellville, FNB CPUT delivered a commanding performance to secure a convincing victory over FNB SPU.

The visitors struck first in the opening minutes, with flyhalf Chadwin Sellidon slotting a penalty to give FNB SPU an early lead. However, FNB CPUT responded swiftly and with intent. Kieran Naidoo crossed in the corner to level matters, before Samukelisiwe Madonsela powered over for a converted try to shift the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour. Although FNB SPU managed to narrow the gap through Kabelo Keagile, FNB CPUT regained control through clinical finishing. Jacquin Jacobus and Dwayne Atkins added further tries, allowing the hosts to take a comfortable 27-10 lead into half-time.

The second half proved one-sided as FNB CPUT’s attacking dominance continued. Lihle Kula, Madonsela and Atkins all crossed the whitewash, while flyhalf Reuben Noble added crucial conversions to keep the scoreboard ticking. Kula later completed his brace to cap off an impressive individual display.

FNB SPU showed late resistance with two tries from Jaiden Faviers but it was not enough to halt FNB CPUT’s momentum, as the hosts’ clinical execution ensured a comprehensive win on home soil.