FNB UWC head coach Paul Treu has admitted that the team’s pre-season did not go entirely according to plan after losing a few senior players ahead of the 2026 FNB Varsity Shield campaign. However, the former Springbok Sevens head coach remains confident that his side will put on a strong showing in this year’s tournament.
Treu, who also previously served as head coach of the Kenya Sevens, acknowledged the tough physical battles expected up front in the competition, but emphasised that UWC have placed a strong focus on introducing a few new tactical tweaks to sharpen their attack. The University of the Western Cape will kick off its 2026 campaign with an away fixture against FNB UFH at Davidson Stadium on Friday afternoon.
“I think pre-season went, I wouldn't say according to plan, but I would say that we focused on a few core things that we thought were going to be important,” said Treu.
“I think we've learned a lot of lessons from last year. We obviously lost a few senior players, especially in our forwards.
“They're still students, some of them, but they're not eligible anymore. So I think it's going to be a tough battle up front, especially playing with all the top teams and Wits also playing in the Shield - so we put a big emphasis on a few new tweaks in our attack.”
Treu says there are high expectations within his squad this year, with a strong focus on playing their best rugby. A key part of that approach has been upskilling the players as they prepare for this season’s showpiece.
“I think you have to be at your best every game,” said former Stormers Defensive Coach. “I think what we try to do is obviously to upskill the players and to make sure that they can understand and implement our plans, implement our systems.”
He added that his side will continue to work on their technical skills, while also improving their overall game understanding.
“We will keep working on the technical skills and just a bit of game understanding, which is always a challenge when you're playing the most important games of the season,” he adds.
UWC Provisional Squad (subject to change):
Aaron Swartz, Keno Alexander, Keith Syster, Juma Amissi, Leachim Adams, Keagan Wood, J’que Huckins, Hlomla, Kerwin Davids, Denver van Wyk, Leigh Braaf, Divan Pieterse, Nhlamulo Shilubane, Leighton Brinkhuis, Kowan Baron, Dwayne Badenhorst, Vincent Cloete, Leighton Damons, Danston Cloete, Jacob Frost, Anele Magadla, Melvin Didericks, Brody Goddard, Fayaaz Hendricks, Melumzi Mandongana, AJ van der Merwe, Pascal Tshimbalanga, Umtha Qwetha-Daza, Daniel Damons, Skyle February, Graigan Matroos, Connér Samuels, Marciano Forbes, Milani Konco, Hlonela Qelile, Niquin Pietersen.