The NWU Eagles bounced back with victory over Shimlas in Bloemfontein, while there were big Varsity Cup wins for Tuks, UCT and Maties on Monday.
The Eagles, who lost to UJ a week ago, were more clinical when it mattered to secure a 45-31 bonus-point win.
The first half was a tight forward battle as both packs traded blows in the collisions. NWU struck first when hooker Jordan McLoughlin powered over from a maul, while Shimlas responded in as scrumhalf Erich Visser dotted down.
The visitors quickly regained control, however, with tighthead prop Jason Oosthuizen scoring before centre Matthew Fortuin gathered a bouncing ball to score a point-of-origin try that handed the Eagles a 19-7 half-time lead.
The match opened up after the break as both teams attacked with great intent. NWU scrumhalf Zack Serfontein scored twice, while Visser grabbed his second for the hosts.
Wing Kirwin du Preez added two tries to keep Shimlas in contention, but a late score from Eagles flanker Ricardo Fourie sealed the result.
Elsewhere, defending champions UCT produced a ruthless attacking display to thrash UJ 87-28 at the Green Mile in Cape Town.
The hosts ran in nine first-half tries to surge into a remarkable 71-7 half-time lead. Winger Jack Benade scored a hat-trick, while Monray Daars, Lezane Davids and Setshaba Mokoena were among the other standout performers.
Coast to coast banger and Jack Benade gets his hattrick in sensational fashion for the @ikeytigers as they romp to a massive victoryover the Orange Army.
#RugbyThatRocks #WhosNXT pic.twitter.com/BoSzC239WN— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 9, 2026
At the Danie Craven Stadium, Maties bounced back from a loss to Tuks in round three with a 55-20 victory over Emeris after recovering from an early scare to run in nine tries.
Like a ghost
! Huhgo Van Zitters opens the scoring in spectacular fashion. The Maroon Machine flyer slices through defence and the Danie Craven erupts.#RugbyThatRocks #WhosNXT pic.twitter.com/aHwCho5FPp
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 9, 2026
In Pretoria, log-leaders Tuks remain the only unbeaten side in the competition after powering to a dominant 78-17 win over CUT in Pretoria, with flank Abel Pretorius and winger Andile Myeni each scoring hat-tricks.
Varsity Cup Round 4 results
UCT 87 UJ 28
Shimlas 31 NWU Eagles 45
Maties 55 Emeris 20
Tuks 78 CUT 17
Photo: Hannes Naude/Asem Engage
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