Madibaz ready to fight fire with fire in FNB Varsity Shield semi-final against Wits

The FNB Madibaz delivered the fight they had promised their supporters to scrap their way back from an alarming deficit into a comfortable victory over Sol Plaatje University in their FNB Varsity Shield match on Friday. That victory, 63-36 after having fallen behind 31-15 early in the second half, saw them finish fourth on the log and qualify for the semifinals.

That means they will have to overcome top-of-the-table Wits at home in Johannesburg on Friday to extend their season by one more match.

If they manage to do so against the team who thumped them 63-8 in their previous encounter it will surely be one of their finest-ever victories in the Shield.

Against SPU in Kimberley no one was more prominent in the Madibaz fightback than eighth man Ruwaan Zealand, 19, who was subsequently voted the Player that Rocks.

Coach David Manuel praised his side’s ability to respond under pressure before shifting the conversation to their upcoming semi.

“We have already started preparing for Wits and know they are a quality, well-coached side.”

The intention, it would seem, is to fight fire with fire.

“Our focus is on how to put them under pressure so that they feel stressed in their decision-making, which is what they did very well against us.”

He also emphasised the importance of capitalising on opportunities and maintaining discipline within their structures.

“We need to force errors and make sure we take advantage of those moments.”

This becomes a moot point if they did not stick to their systems and remained in the fight for the full 80 minutes, Manuel warned.

He believes the label of “underdogs” can only be to the Gqeberha side’s advantage.

“We don’t mind it as it takes a bit of pressure off when nobody is expecting us to win.”

For Zealand and his teammates the focus is on redemption – nothing more, nothing less.

“We’ve learnt a lot from our losses and mistakes this season and I think we’ve grown because of them,” the first-year public management student suggested.

“It’s going to be a tough game, especially away from home, but it’s a new opportunity. We are well prepared and ready to deliver a much better performance.”

His sentiments were echoed by the mentor, who underlined the importance of self-worth as a driving factor in making the 2026 final.

“It’s essential for us to show the pride we have in the Madibaz jersey and to play with integrity and character,” Manuel said.

“This is about proving to ourselves that we can rectify past mistakes and have the resolve to stay in the fight until the final whistle.”

Zealand played open cards about the fact that they had briefly lost their way against SPU before regrouping at the break.

“Our big focus was to stay calm as we realised how important the game was for us. In the second half we played for each other, stuck to our systems and came back strongly.”

The forward from Patensie, who made his Madibaz debut this season, credited the coaching staff for helping the team refocus.

“They identified what needed to be done,” he said.

Even though the panel recognised his individual brilliance on the night it ultimately came down to a collective effort.

“I felt proud, happy and grateful but it wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates,” the star of the Kimberley show, who brings more physicality than most to the table, said.

By: Jesica Slabbert