Maties defeated Cape rivals UCT at the Green Mile on Monday, while the NWU Eagles ended Tuks’ winning start to the Varsity Cup season.
Maties adapted superbly to difficult, windy conditions to secure a convincing 34-7 win.
Playing into a strong gusting wind in the first half, the visitors opted to keep ball in hand rather than kick, showing impressive patience and control despite spending large periods deep inside their own half. That approach paid off as sustained pressure forced UCT into errors.
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The breakthrough came when Maties pounced on a mistake and surged upfield, with lock Luan Botha crossing for the opening try. Ikeys’ woes were compounded when captain Enos Ndiao was yellow-carded for cynical play, allowing Maties to tighten their grip on the game.
Don’t sleep on Zakes Ngobeni! The Maroon Machine skipper with the quick tap catchies the Ikeys sleeping and @MatiesSport extend their lead immediately after the second half begins!#RugbyThatRocks #WhosNXT pic.twitter.com/WWmz22bPgk
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 16, 2026
With the wind at their backs after the break, Maties shifted gears. Scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni and lock Zuko Poswa added tries in quick succession, before prop Janlu Basson extended the lead further as the visitors began to dominate.
FULL TIME and @MatiesSport get their revenge and wrap up the Cape derby in emphatic fashion. Mckyle Volmoer on the overlap puts the cherry on top for the Maroon Machine.
FNB UCT 7-34 FNB Maties #RugbyThatRocks brought to you by FNB, Steers, Suzuki and SportPesa SA. pic.twitter.com/A0IlmB5T4N
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 16, 2026
UCT only got on the board late through wing Jack Benade, but Maties had the final say when substitute Mckyle Volmoer dotted down to seal an emphatic victory over their rivals.
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In Potchefstroom, NWU claimed top spot on the log with a 30-22 win over Tuks, who suffered their first defeat of the season.
The Eagles raced into a 23-0 lead, with scrumhalf Zack Serfontein influential throughout.
Zack Serfontein sold all the dummies! Even the ref bought one
.@theNWU Eagles are off the mark in Potch.#RugbyThatRocks #WhosNXT pic.twitter.com/SX20unCmX7
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 16, 2026
However, the home side had to withstand a late Tuks fightback before seeing out the result.
Elsewhere, UJ beat Shimlas 29-17, while Emeris secured their first Varsity Cup victory with a 26-24 win over CUT.
Varsity Cup Round 5 results
UCT 7 Maties 35
UJ 29 Shimlas 17
Emeris 26 CUT 24
NWU 30 Tuks 22
Photo: Asem Engage
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