The FNB NWU Eagles head into the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup campaign with renewed belief and a more experienced squad, determined to improve on last season’s fifth-place finish, aiming to reach the playoffs and be in contention to lift the trophy they last won in 2023.
Head Coach Burger van der Westhuizen, who has coached the team for the past four years, says they have been preparing for this season since last year.
“We have been preparing for the Varsity Cup since the end of October and beginning of November 2025”, said van der Westhuizen.
The Eagles were crowned FNB Varsity Cup champions in 2023, but last season proved frustrating as they narrowly missed out on the semi-finals.
“Last season was disappointing. We lost games that we could’ve won and should’ve won. We were an inexperienced team. We are more experienced this year,” he said.
Westhuizen believes the mood in the camp is positive, driven by a strong team culture.
“It is a positive vibe that we have going into the competition. Our slogan is ‘believe’; we believe in what we do, we believe in God, we believe in our families, and we believe in the NWU, the Eagles and our community,” he adds.
The squad includes several experienced players alongside new faces who are eager to make an impact.
“We have a lot of experienced guys on the team and a couple of new guys, and we are very excited to see what they are going to do,” said Westhuizen.
Stephen Krugel will lead the side as captain, a decision the coach is confident in.
“I feel like our captain is a powerful leader. When we select players, most importantly, we pick players that believe in our culture.”
The FNB Varsity Cup runs from 16 February to 13 April, with the Eagles kicking off their campaign away against FNB CUT in the Free State on 16 February 2026.
NWU Provisional Squad
Zihan Bensch, Alethwa Mbongeni Buthelezi, Jamiane Dampies, Angelo Daniels, Aiden De Villiers, Bernardo Diedericks, Njabulo Dladla, Luyolo Doyi, Johan Gustave Du Bois, Schalk Duplessis, Jacobus Du Toit, Matthew Fortuin, Richardo Fourie, Logan Janeke, Stephen Krugel, Johan Leonard, Jordan McLoughlin, Rouwan Mitchell, Michael Mostert, Jason Oosthuizen, Gary Otto, Leejay Petersen, Lodewyk Prins, Therlow Prins, Sean Roulston, Zack Serfontein, Bradley Stanfliet, Lechance Tchokonte-nana, Tshepo Tlaka, Rianiel Andrew, Luan Jacobus, Schalk Pieter Van Schalkwyk, Ruan Van Willing, Tian Van Zyl, Hanro Venter, Jacques Vos, Sanele Zungu.