The defending champions, the UFS Shimlas, secured their first win of the Varsity Cup 2025 with a commanding 59-29 victory over Wits at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein. Despite the runaway scoreline, the visitors from Johannesburg made them work for the win, especially in the second half.
Shimlas began their first home match of the season in spectacular fashion, with eighth-man Liam Shamburg flying over for a point-of-origin try just 20 seconds after they collected the ball from their own kick-off.
The champions didn’t ease up but instead put the throttle to full tilt, racing to a dominant 27-0 lead. Loosehead prop Ntokozo Hlophe and fullback Regan Izaks also scored point-of-origin tries. Wits eventually opened their account when centre Setshaba Mokoena caught the Shimlas napping.
However, their joy was short-lived as lock Reinier Viljoen crossed for Shimlas’ fourth point-of-origin try. Inside centre, Alwich van der Linde added a regular try, but Wits had the final say in the first half when scrumhalf Drew Bennet dotted down on the stroke of half-time, bringing the score to 43-14 in Shimlas’ favour.
The second half was a much more evenly contested affair, though it was marred by the introduction of uncontested scrums from the 48th minute, which nullified a key weapon for the champions. Wits capitalised on the change, with Ngia Selengbe crossing for a try, while Lindani Dweba added a late brace to secure a bonus point for the visitors.
The super-sub Stiaan Genis scored another point-of-origin try for the hosts, while the flanker Ramon Uys sealed his Player That Rocked accolade with a late try.
While Wits fought bravely in the second half, the damage had already been done in the opening 40 minutes, and the Shimlas do take a lot of confidence from that opening blitzkrieg.
Scorers:
FNB UFS Shimlas: Tries: Liam Shamburg (point-of-origin), Ntokozo Hlope (point-of-origin), Regan Izaks (point-of-origin), Reinier Viljoen (point-of-origin), Alwich van der Linde, Stiaan Genis (point-of-origin), Ramon Uys. Conversions: Bradley Pierre Giddy (7).
FNB Wits: Tries: Setshaba Mokoena, Drew Bennet, Ngia Selengbe, Lindani Dweba 2. Conversions: Tireque Apolles (2).
Teams:
FNB UFS Shimlas: 1 Ntokozo Hlophe, 2 Vice Hofmeyer, 3 Ben Pitout, 4 Reinier Viljoen, 5 Juan Venter, 6 Ramon Uys, 7 Henri van Heerden, 8 Liam Shamburg, 9 Hlumelo Klaas, 10 Tiaan Kriek, 11 Siviwe Zondani, 12 Alwich van der Linde, 13 Nkoka Ngobe, 14 Kirwin du Preez, 15 Regan Izaks. Replacements: 16 Marnus Winter, 17 Conley Pieterse, 18 Ongeziwe Mobo, 19 Maynard Kleynhans, 20 Yaseen Arendse, 21 Dubs Dlamini, 22 Stiaan Genis, 23 Shaun Ray.
FNB Wits: 1 Ricardo Brandao, 2 Justin Amos, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 4 Kgoposto Matlena, 5 Thinus Oosthuizen, 6 Joshua van Vreden, 7 Christopher Kachungunu, 8 Thomas Beling, 9 Drew Bennet, 10 Tireque Apolles, 11 Ngia Selengbe, 12 Setshaba Mokena, 13 Liyema Matyolweni, 14 Dustyn Holmes, 15 Tirhani Masondo. Replacements: 16 Paoliantinio Mariano, 17 Dagan Meuwese, 18 Eyethu Lingani, 19 Joshua Ferreira, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Tristan Van Niekerk, 22 Keith Chirwa, 23 Lindani Dweba.