A 12-try thriller in Bloemfontein was the highlight of Varsity Cup Round 3 on Monday, 3 March where defending champions UFS held on to narrowly beat a surging Orange Army.

For the latest rugby news, bookmark The South African website’s dedicated section for free-to-read content

In Stellenbosch the Maties demolished CUT at the Danie Craven Stadium to top the log standings while on the UCT Ikeys handed the Stripe Generation their first defeat of the season.

Shimlas 49-45 UJ

UFS Shimlas held on for a narrow 49-45 win against UJ at Shimla Park during the third round of Varsity Cup.

In what was a thriller written in two halves, Shimlas dominated the opening 40 minutes, but the Orange Army fought like Trojans in the second stanza.

Shimlas wasted no time in registering the first points of the match, with fiery flanker Ramon Uys crossing the tryline.

Flyhalf Bradley Giddy slotted the conversion and added a monster 55m penalty shortly after.

UJ struck back through hooker Ryan Marimo, but their joy was short-lived as Uys went over for his brace.

Centre Adriano Jackson managed to score a point-of-origin try for the visitors, reducing the deficit to just three points.

However, a try by hooker Vice Hofmeyer and a point-of-origin try by scrumhalf Hlumelo Klaas saw Shimlas secure a bonus point and take a commanding 40-14 lead at half-time.

In the second 40-minute period, UJ took the game to the defending champions, capitalising as the home team played with 14 men for 20 minutes following yellow cards to loosehead prop Ntokozo Hlophe and replacement forward Marno Stopforth.

A second try by Jackson, along with scores from Dylan Viljoen, Ughan Africa, and Alzeadon Felix, nearly saw UJ over the line.

However, they were denied by a crucial seven-point try from Lilitha Lunqe, which put the game out of reach.

For the second week in a row, Ramon Uys earned the right to wear the pink shorts, claiming the Player that Rocked accolade.

Player that Rocks: Ramon Uys (UFS)

TEAMS

UFS

Regan Izaks, Kirwin du Preez, Nkoka Ngobe, Alwich van der Linde, Lilitha Lunqe, Bradley Gibby, Hlumelo Klaas, Maynard Kleynhans, Liam Shmaburg, Ramon Uys, Juan Venter, Reinier Viljoen, Ben Pitout, Vice Hofmeyer, Ntokozo Hlope

UJ

Oela Blaauw, Michail Damon, Adriano Jackson, Reuven Ferreira, Ughan Africa, Alzeadon Felix, Zian Cilliers, Dylan Viljoen, Muzuva Gutu, Siyamukela Ndlovu, Josh du Toit, Neil Hansen, Ali Gqaza, Ryan Marimo, Damian Baker

Wits 34-39 NWU Eagles

NWU Eagles survived a late scare at the Wits Rugby Stadium to claim a gasp 39-34 win over the Witsies.

Wits and NWU Eagles entered the game both winless in two attempts, with this game serving as an early do-or-die for both teams.

The game started to an expected start, with both teams going all out in a ping-pong battle.

The first 30 minutes saw a low-scoring affair, with Wits scoring two penalties, courtesy of their skipper and flyhalf Setshaba Mokoena.

The Eagles crossed the whitewash twice, with Tsepo Tlaka and Hanro Venter dotting down to make the score 12-6 to the visitors.

However, the Witsies ended the half on a high note after a darting run from their outside back, Liyema Matyolweni, broke the line, with Setshaba Mokoena adding a 7-point cherry on top under the posts.

Mokoena then converted his try to give the hosts a 15-12 lead at the break.

The second half saw the script flip, with the NWU Eagles adding a staggering four tries to the Witsies two.

It was not always smooth sailing for the visitors, who had the wind knocked out of their sails when a brilliant 7-point try by Lindani Dweba caused a late scare.

The conversion attempt that would’ve levelled matters at 36 points apiece went astray.

The Eagles then had the last say, with a late penalty sealing a 39-34 victory. 

Player that Rocks: Drew Bennet (Wits)

TEAMS

Wits

Dagan Meuwese, Justin Amos, Ricardo Brandao, Kgoposto Matlena, Hayden Munnery, Joshua van Vreden, Luke Cannon, Thomas Beling, Drew Bennet, Setshaba Mokoena (captain), Ngia Selengbe, Tirhani Masons, Liyema Matyolweni, Dustyn Holmes, Lindani Dweba

NWU Eagles

Alethwa Buthelezi, Hanro Venter, Ntobeko Shezi, Tsepo Tlaka, Stephan Krugel (captain), Guhan Du Bois, Schalk Van Schalkwyk, Sean Roulston, Divan Du Toit, Stehan Heymans, Joubert Schoeman, Isrome Phatudi, Matthew Fortuin, Naiden Jaarts, Luan Van der Walt 

Maties 54-0 CUT

The Maties made it three victories in a row in the 2025 Varsity Cup competition when they demolished CUT Ixias in a round three clash at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

The Maroon Machine massacred the Ixias by a whopping 54-0 after they led 28-0 at half-time.

What makes the Maties victory so significant was that visitors from the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein boasted an unbeaten record coming into this third-round fixture.

Coach Randall Modiba’s men managed to beat UJ and UCT in their first two games of the season, despite having to face various setbacks.

However, coach Kabamba Floors charges put in a ruthless performance based on a completely dominant set-piece.

The home side completely dominated the scrums and the lineouts which made things exceedingly difficult for the Free Staters.

Floors can be particularly with the way his side stuck to their plan and accurate execution of their game plan.

Even though it was a magnificent team effort from the Stellenbosch side, it was tight-head flank Luan Botha who stood out with his strong carries and yeoman work at the breakdowns. 

He was deservedly named the Player that Rocks.

Player that Rocks: Luan Botha (Maties)

TEAMS

Maties

Jason Johnson, Armand Combrink, Herman Lubbe, Zuko Poswa, Carel Van Der Merwe, Fortune Mpofu, Luan Botha, Ethan Snyman, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Christiaan Van Heerden Smith, Dylan Miller, Cj Marx, Grant De Jager, Joel Leotlela, Elridge Jack

CUT

Jan Hendrik Bessenger, Tokelo Ntaopane, Malcolm Lamont, Asekho Marubelela, Kevin Strydom, Jt Van Der Walt, Jakobus Cloete, Francois Bester, Raydon Swartbooi, Matthys Corneluis Malan, Adielson Gouveia, Liam Prinsloo, Rorisang Masoeu, Clive Hartzenberg, Devinto Vergotine

UCT Ikeys 36-29 UP-Tuks

A back-and-forth contest unfolded in Cape Town as the UTC Ikeys chased their second win of the season while UP-Tuks looked to maintain their 100% record.

Ntokozo Makhaza booted UCT Ikeys into the lead after five minutes before scoring the first try of the match just moments later.

The move started from inside UCT’s half meaning they bagged a seven-point score with Makhaza converting his try for a 12-0 lead.

Tuks got onto the scoreboard in identical fashion, as JP Wentzel slotted a penalty straight in front before Ruan van Blommestein crashed over the line – only this time the men from Pretoria couldn’t manage a seven-pointer.

Wentzel made no mistake with the conversion as UCT held a slender 12-10 lead after 15 minutes.

Keagan Blanckenberg bulldozed his way over the line shortly after the minute mark while Makhaza’s kicking was once again on point.

UP-Tuks pressed on to get themselves back in the game and were rewarded for their persistence.

UCT lock Enos Ndia was sent to the sin-bin for foul play and the away side made that numerical advantage count as Andile Myeni strolled over UCT’s tryline.

The first half came to a frantic finish as UCT’s Luke Burger slipped through a few tackles to dot down underneath the posts that sent the hosts into an 11 point lead after another Makhaza conversion.

Burger went from hero to villain after receiving a yellow card for a dangerous tackle after half an hour.

The visitors capitalised on the numerical advantage once again as Van Blommestein crashed over the line in the right-hand corner.

JP Wentzel’s conversion hit the upright and stayed out of the deficit, giving UCT a four-point lead at the break.

Both sides picked up yellow cards late into the second half as UCT captain Siphomezo Dyonase was sin-binned for a high tackle.

Tuks’ Abel Pretorius then joined the UCT skipper in the bin shortly after a maul infringement.

UCT made that advantage count just two minutes later as Kian Davis scored the all-important try with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Tuks pushed until the final moments and threatened but it was the Ikeys who held firm and kept the visitors out for a 36-29 win at the Green Mile.

Player that Rocks: Kian Davis (UCT)

TEAMS:

UCT

Matthew Beckett, Keagan Blanckenberg, Bryan Le Roux, Enos Ndiao, Danio Botha, Siphomezo Dyonase, Aden Da Costa, Aidan Norris, Asad Moos, Alex Vermeulen, Ntokozo Makhaza, Luke Burger, Kian Davis, Rethabile Louw, Duran Rayn Koevort

UP-Tuks

Mj Nel, Ruan Van Blommestein, Bom Louw, Jw Mare, David Engongo, Kamohelo Tlome, Cayno February, Dillon Smith, Chad-lee Valentine, Jp Wentzel, Ambesa Zenzile, Kobus Janse Van Rensburg, Christiaan Vlok, Andile Myeni, Tharquinn Manuel

Which team do YOU support in the Varsity Cup?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/varsity-cup/varsity-cup-round-3-maties-demolish-cut-thriller-in-bloemfontein/