Impi determined to turn the page and make their mark this season

After narrowly avoiding relegation in last year’s promotion/relegation playoffs, FNB UKZN enter the 2026 FNB Varsity Shield determined to make amends and rewrite the story of their 2025 campaign.

Impi Head Coach Naseeb Abrahams has admitted his team’s disappointment in their performance in the past year, emphasizing that going into the playoffs wasn’t part of their plans.

“Being in the relegation playoffs wasn’t something that we wanted, there was a lot of anger there [from us],” said Abrahams. We pride ourselves on being better than that, even though we are a young team we didn’t feel like we should have allowed ourselves to get to that point.”

The youthfulness factor in the UKZN Impi team has been one of their vulnerabilities recently as it translates to lack of experience. On the flip side of that coin, the young Impi team has shown potential of blossoming into a creative, hard-working side that has in it, a lot of vitality.

According to Abrahams, the squad has developed a lot of maturity in their off-season preparations.

“Off-season preps have been good for us; we’ve brought in some good players. We’ve also developed maturity amongst our group, and a bit of belief is there as well because we’ve travelled well, we played a couple of friendlies now, we had good result and I think there’s a good resolve,” he said.

“On field, I think the boys are putting in all the work, and all the effort they need to, so we are happy with where we are.”

Heading into his third season now as the man at the helm of Impi, Abrahams believes his men have identified the missing parts to their game, and have worked on them - an exercise he believes has brought a lot of ‘clarity’ into his team.

“I think the missing part is just winning those moments, winning those big moments in games. We were in games for most parts during last year, and we would have soft moments either scrum penalties or conceding a soft try in defense and not executing when we get into the 22 and I think that we’ve built up those pressure moments within camp… to make sure that we execute a lot better.”

“For that part I think that we’re a fitter stronger team than we were, the clarity is definitely there amongst the boys, so we feel good.”

FNB UKZN Provisional Squad (subject to change):

Mthomboyolo Buzani (c), Siso France, Jordan Ramsay, Uli Walker, Ntokozo Ngema, Owethu Mntwelizwe, Siyanda Dlamini, Lonwabo Nkalitshana, Siyanda Nyathi, Khanyisani Ncube, Qhawe Nxumalo, Mzwandile Khawula, Lwazi Ngcobo, Micheal Ize-Iyamu, Samkelo Mkhize, Aphelele Dlamini, Amahle Dlamini, Sikhona Ndulini, Wela Takata, Nhlankanipho Buthelezi, Zak Smith, Milowo Matebese, Minenhle Ngcamu, Juan-Lee Carolus, Raayke Maartens, Russel Fick, Lwanele Gaba, Solami Sikutshwa, Somanga Jho, Ramutuku Masiteng, Ntobeko Mhlongo, Luthando Mhlongo, Ovayo Jezile, Osman Taariq, Abulele Bolitini, Eloko Kayaeze, Olwakhe Mlambo, Phiwe Kunjana, Mnotho Khumalo, Jowan Visagie.

By: Mpendulo Letsoalo.