Shimlas YG and Ikeys YG to contest FNB Varsity Cup Young Guns 2026 final

The Shimlas Young Guns snatched a dramatic late victory over the Tuks YG to book their place in the FNB Varsity Cup Young Guns final, where they will face FNB UCT Ikeys Young Guns who delivered a powerful performance to defeat the UJ YG and secure their spot in the final on 13 April.

FNB UFS YG 46-40 FNB UP-Tuks YG

The UFS Young Guns have booked their place in the FNB Varsity Cup Young Guns final after clinching a dramatic 46-40 victory right at the death over FNB UP-Tuks YG at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein. It was a contest that went right down to the wire, and had UFS come up short, there would have been a real sense of injustice given their effort in the semi-final.

The hosts opened the scoring early on when captain and fullback Heinze Stockenstrom calmly slotted a penalty, but Tuks responded soon after through a well-taken try by Jepy Tipoy.

UFS struck back with intent, as quick thinking from loosehead prop Sibabalwe Booi saw him take a quick tap and crash over for their first try. A Joshua Dampies penalty then levelled matters before Stockenstrom edged UFS back in front. With around ten minutes left in the first half, Tuks hit their stride, building momentum as Danré Pike crossed twice and Caylum Schooney added another.

However, on the stroke of half-time, Anrich Schaffer finished in the corner for the hosts, cutting the deficit to 27–21 in favour of Tuks at the break.

UFS came out firing after the restart, with replacement scrumhalf Bernard Wessels immediately making his presence felt as he darted over for the first of his two tries. Tuks, however, refused to lie down, with Milani Madide responding to keep the visitors in front. Wessels then completed his brace minutes later, setting up a grandstand finish.

What followed was a tense kicking duel between Stockenstrom and Dampies, with the scoreboard ticking over to 40–39 in favour of Tuks with less than two minutes remaining.

Then came the decisive moment. As Tuks attempted to exit their 22, lock Renier Grobler charged down the kick and won the foot race to score the match-winning try on the stroke of full-time- sparking wild celebrations among the Shimla Park faithful.

UFS held the upper hand in the scrums throughout and showed impressive defensive steel for large parts of the match. Tuks, meanwhile, were brilliant in the lineout, with Tipoy particularly influential.

The introduction of Wessels injected real energy into the UFS game, but ultimately it was their belief, resilience and fighting spirit that carried them through in a pulsating encounter where momentum swung relentlessly.

SCORERS

FNB UFS YG: (21) 46

Tries: Sibabalwe Booi, Anrich Scheffer, Bernard Wessels X2, Renier Grobler. 

FNB UP-Tuks YG: (27) 40

Tries:Jepy Tipoy, Danre Pike 2, Caylum Schooney, Milani Madide.

FNB UFS YG: Heinz Stockenstrom (captain), Anrich Scheffer, Duncan Basson, Nkululeko Sithole, Siya Khambule, Darius Erwee, Venkile Kunga, Franco Oberholzer, Mokgaotsi Mosiane, Mo Gcina, Renier Grobler, Jayden Auld, Ruan Smuts, Jan Coetzee, Sibabalwe Booi.

FNB UP-Tuks YG: Caylum Schooney, Milani Madide, Jason Ocks, Gerrit Wessels, Tumelo Mohale (captain), Joshua Dampies, Gustav Shaffner, Khanyisa Stamper, Cyril Cherayi, Juan-Pierre Pieterse, Divan Botha, Jepy Tipoy, Luchwayito Mbaliswana, Danre Pike, Indiphile Mlotshwa.

FNB UCT YG 50-31 FNB UJ YG

The FNB UCT YG shrugged off a slow start at home to FNB UJ YG to reach the FNB Young Guns Final of the FNB Varsity Cup YG on Monday 13 April.

The hosts went behind early in the first half and needed to battle their way back from trailing 17-7 after half an hour in at the Green Mile.

The Ikey Tigers made uncharacteristic, unforced errors that handed UJ the lead, however, the hosts were able to score a try before the break and take that momentum into the second half.

UCT’s try before half-time seemed to have sparked life into the dressing room as they fired out of the break with three tries in the space of seven-minutes. UJ did well to hit back and keep themselves in the contest, but that flurry was quickly snuffed out.

The Ikey Tigers turned the screw after the hour mark with two more scores and a penalty try to outscore UJ with six tries to two in the second half, earning them a spot in the final with a 50-31 win.

SCORERS

FNB UCT YG: (14) 50

Tries: Meyer Prinsloo, Tyrone Gombe, Unaye Mndau, Nel Jan Jan, Meyer Prinsloo, Dominic Sesink Clee, Steph Van der Merwe, PENALTY TRY.

FNB UJ: (17) 31

Tries: Thristan Maree, Thristan Maree, Sinenhlanhla Ndlovu, Kganya Molapo, Langelihle Mncwango.

FNB Player of the Match: Tyrone Gombe (FNB UCT YG) 

TEAMS

FNB UCT YG: Isa Davids, Sango Zangqa, Gareth Mc Kinon, Dominique Kamangu, Ethan Combrink, Steph Van der Merwe, David Kamunga, Dominic Sesink Clee, Tyrone Gombe (C), Nathan Potgieter, Caleb Jeneker, Olunje Mehlomakulu, Hadebe Amahle, Nel Jan Jan, Meyer Prinsloo, James Kobrowisky, Unaye Mndau, Anele Cele, Tjeripo Karuhumba, Simanye Mlakalaka, Thabiso Mbembele, Seth Bradford, Jonathan Caveney.

FNB UJ YG: Andre Poulton, Ayanda Funeka, Juan Van Der Merwe, Jacques Van Tonder, Zandre Naude, Kganya Molapo (C), Nkos'enhle Mafu, Grady (V) Ngui, Talent Sithole, Matthew Abbey, Lindelani Nkambule, Sinenhlanhla Ndlovu, Likhona Kepe, Thristan Maree, Praise Matsila, Langelihle Mncwango, Akhona Maseko, Mufunwa Masibigiri, Chifu Banda, MJ de Jager, Amukelani Ntuli, Pieter Moller, Indibabale Mboniswa.

The FNB Varsity Cup Young Guns final will take place on Monday 13 April, 3pm at Tuks Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Cup final.