Maroon Machine confident of going all the way in FNB Varsity Cup 2026

FNB Maties will be a team on a mission in 2026 after falling agonizingly short in last season’s final. The fact that they were 15 minutes away from getting their hands on the FNB Varsity Cup trophy and then letting slip against their fierce Western Cape rivals.

The men from Stellenbosch will certainly be looking to replicate last season’s form, having topped the standings on their way to the semi-finals as well as a home final at the Danie Craven Stadium. It was not to be for the University of Stellenbosch in 2025, but they’ll be hoping to rise from last season’s disappointment at the final hurdle by going all the way this year.

Always regarded as a FNB Varsity Cup contender, making FNB Maties a marked side from the get-go. They haven’t gotten their hands on the trophy since 2019 and want to bring the dreaded drought to an end in 2026. They’ll be hoping that last season’s heartbreak can serve as the springboard for success this time around.

Maties skipper, Ezekiel Ngobeni, revealed that the mood in the camp is positive and that his team are raring to go.

“2026 is obviously a new year, with that comes new opportunities which makes it really exciting getting back into competition phase,” said Ngobeni.

“The boys have been preparing for some time and with what we have put in, we take massive confidence and belief going into the season ahead.”

The Maroon Machine kickstarts the new season in the early kick off at 16:45. They travel to Shimla Park for a tricky test against FNB UFS Shimlas in Bloemfontein.

FNB Maties Provisional Squad:

Janlu Basson, Njabulo Dlomo, Prince Mulea, Oliver Reid, Ammaar Burton, Jason Johnson, Daniel Kruger, Keanu Michaels, Armand Combrink, CJ Erasmus, Luthando Makula, Slabbert Maartens, Riley Norton, Zuko Poswa, Kevin Strydom, Luke Swartz, Fortune Mpofu, Luan Botha, Louw du Toit, Tjaart Joubert, Yabo Ndzamela, Ethan Snyman, Dempers Meyer, Ezekiel Ngobeni (Captain), Mckyle Volmoer, MC van Heerden-Smith, Samuel Badenhorst, Matthew Malherbe, CJ Marx, Simon Liversage, Ryan Manuel, Grant de Jager, Pretorius Ekeji, Rynhardt van der Linden, Hugho van Zitters, Oluhle Ndaba, Eldridge Jack.

By: Kieryn Thompson