FNB Varsity Cup Women semi-finalists confirmed as Tuks winning streak continues

FNB UP-Tuks staged yet another thrilling comeback to edge a 32-31 victory and maintain their position at the top of the FNB Varsity Cup Women standings. The UFH Baby Blues delivered when it mattered most, producing a decisive performance to secure a semi-final spot with a win over FNB UJ and in Pietermaritzburg FNB UKZN produced a dominant display at home, cruising to a convincing victory against FNB Maties Women.

FNB UKZN Women 46-7 FNB Maties Women

FNB UKZN Women delivered a commanding performance to secure a 46-7 victory over FNB Maties Women at Peter Booysen Stadium in a one-sided FNB Varsity Cup Women clash.

The hosts made their intentions clear early, with Hlekane Baloyi crossing over in the sixth minute to open the scoring. FNB UKZN Women continued to apply pressure, and Zanele Hlongwane added a second try in the 17th minute to extend the lead to 10-0. Momentum firmly in their favour, the home side kept their foot on the pedal as Sipokuhle Mdletshe powered over soon after.

Hlongwane returned for her second try of the match in the 27th minute, with Sphesihle Fihlela adding the conversion to stretch the lead further. Fihlela then got on the scoresheet herself, converting her own try to push UKZN to a dominant 29–0 advantage. Scrumhalf Snethemba Mzimela added another before halftime, giving the hosts a commanding 34-0 lead at the break.

UKZN wasted no time after the restart, with Hlongwane completing her hat-trick early in the second half, once again converted by the influential Fihlela. Teddy Gatyana soon added another try as UKZN continued to run riot.

Despite a brief setback with a yellow card to Bokamoso Mokali, Maties managed to register their only points of the match through Palesa Matee, who scored and converted her try.

However, it was far from enough to trouble a dominant UKZN side, who finished with eight tries to secure a comprehensive 46-7 victory. Fihlela was deservedly named Player that Rocks after an outstanding all-round performance.

SCORERS

FNB UKZN Women: (34) 46

Tries: Zanele Hlongwane X3, Sphesihle Fihlela, Charmaine Dimpho Mogashoa, Asanda Mnyandu, Hlekane Baloyi, Siphokuhle Mdletshe.

FNB Maties Women: (0) 7

Tries: Palesa Matee

FNB Player of the Match: Sphesihle Fihlela (FNB UKZN)

TEAMS:

FNB UKZN Women: Sandulelo Nyawose, Landelizwi Dlamini, Siphokuhle Mdletshe, Zama Mbeje, Lulama Cele, Athiphile Njiyela, Avela Gwala, Hlekane Baloyi, Asanda Mnyandu, Snethemba Mzimela, Tshepiso Maseme, Teddy Gatyana, Charmaine Dimpho Mogashoa, Zanele Hlongwane, Sphesihle Fihlela.

FNB Maties Women: Naledi Mokhele, Sesethu Dumke, Sesethu Ntamnani, Catherine Coetzee, Sarah Krone, Palesa Matee, Khanyisile Mpingane, Coby Mentoor, Mijean Fryer, Jenna Meyer, Ilze Hattingh, Courtney Hickson, Tiana Van Wyk, Zikhona Plaatjies.

FNB Tuks Women 32-31 FNB UWC Women

FNB UP-Tuks Women come back from 24-5 to seal a 32-31 victory over UWC Women. Lizanne Jacobs’ troops produced another historic come-back masterclass to remain unbeaten in the current campaign. Log leaders UP-Tuks Women collided with second on the on the FNB UWC in a clash of the top spot. With just three points separating the two sides, the match depicted the anticipated intensity.

The visitors were the first to show early signs of dominance tabling the first threatening attacks. It only Western Cape side five minutes to cross the Tuks try-line. Saadiqah Corbett opened the scoring crossing over at the corner following relentless attack from UWC. Tuks were reduced to 14-players after skipper Mbali Ndlovu was sent to the sin bin for an infringement. UWC capitalized on the advantage and extended their lead.

Nandile Mvandaba pierced through Tuks defence in the middle to go over the line for a UWC second. Gemma Thomas converted the extras. Tuks responded with an emphatic try. UWC defenced stretched out wide for Anele Mgwazela to cross over in the corner.

Tuks struggling to get out of their half, were struck with another blow suffering another yellow card. Quick hands in UWC defence and Davedine March was there to add the icing on the cake as UWC showed off their dominance. Nandile Mvandaba also registered her name on the score sheet with a point of origin try as the visitors took a comfortable 24-5 lead at the interval.

The Stripe Generation ladies returned from the break and posed threat to UWC and were awarded a penalty. Abigail de Jager making no mistake to reduce the deficit. De Jager returned with a try as Tuks looks to get back in the game. From the ruck de Jager sneak on the blindside to cross over the try-line in the corner.

UWC continue to punish the home side, Corbett dots down following a few phases to complete her brace. The home side were not going down without a fight as the visitors were reduced to 13 players after two yellow cards and Tuks capitalized and were awarded with three tries to steal the victory. De Jager flew over for a brace and another point of origin try before substitutes Angelique Ross-Allen and Ox Xholi powered over to steal the victory.

SCORERS

FNB Tuks Women: (5) 32

Tries: Anele Mgwazela, Abigail de Jager POR X2, Angelique Ross-Allen, Ox Xholi.

FNB UWC Women: (24) 31

Tries: Saadiqah Corbett 2, Nandile Mvandaba, Davedine March, Fatouma Yalcoue POR.

FNB Player of the Match: Kwanga Majebe (FNB UP-Tuks Women)

TEAMS

FNB UP-Tuks Women: Nomzamo Nimorundsini, Leone de Bruyn, Molatelo Setoaba, Itumeleng Malala, Mbali Ndlovu ©, Thandi Mokatse, Candice De Wet, Gugu Mncwabe, Erin Prins, Lerato Tshabalala, Anele Mgwazela, Amukelani Lisenga, Abigail de Jager, Lidene Kruger, Kwanga Majebe.

FNB UWC Women: Sange Makhwezela, Jada Davids, Jessica Mare, Mivuyo Pawuli, Ivanche Gerritsen, Samukelisiwe Mjweni, Yanelisa Plaatjie, Akhona Nkosi, Fatouma Yalcoue, Gemma Thomas, Saadiqah Corbett, Ronecia Gordon, Davedine March, Lee-Amber Beukes ©, Nandile Mvandaba.

FNB UFH Women 49-12 FNB UJ Women

The FNB UFH Women entered this crucial fixture knowing that nothing short of a bonus-point victory would secure them a place in the semi-finals, while also needing to deny the FNB UJ Women any bonus point from the match.

FNB UFH wasted no time asserting their intent. The home side opened the scoring through Sibabalwe Jobo, who powered over the try line with determination and physicality after a well-worked phase, earning a penalty-offered POR try. The conversion attempt by Inga Qhogi was unsuccessful, but the home side took an early 7-0 lead into the strategy break.

From there, UFH began to dominate proceedings with authority and composure. Their second try came from excellent pick-and-go play, creating space out wide for Litha Tofu, who showed pace and strength to slice through the UJ defence. This time, Qhogi added the extras to extend the lead.

Both sides made tactical substitutions as the half progressed, but UFH maintained control. Just before halftime, Jobo crossed the line for her second try of the match following patient build-up play and fluid ball movement. Qhogi converted once again, giving UFH a commanding 21-0 lead at the break.

The second half began in similar fashion, with UFH continuing their relentless attacking pressure. In the 41st minute, Qhogi capped off a flowing team move with a try of her own, before successfully converting to further stretch the lead. UJ’s challenges intensified when Tsalananga Mokalane was shown a yellow card in the 52nd minute.

UJ managed to respond despite being under pressure, with Hlobisile Mbatha scoring in the corner from a penalty advantage. However, the conversion was missed. UFH quickly hit back through Thokozani Sikela, whose powerful pick-and-go effort showcased strength and determination at close range.

UJ showed moments of resilience, adding a second try through Thabisile Zungu after exploiting space out wide, but they struggled to build sustained momentum against a well-organised UFH side.

As the game drew to a close, UFH displayed their attacking flair and clinical finishing. Simamnkele Jolingana produced a brilliant individual effort, weaving through defenders to score, with Qhogi adding the conversion. In the final moments, UFH sealed a dominant performance with their seventh try, as Siphokuhle powered over from close range.

The final score read 49–12 in favour of UFH, a comprehensive and emphatic victory that secured their place in the semi-finals. UFH delivered a commanding, clinical, and high-intensity performance, marked by disciplined defence, dynamic ball movement, and relentless attacking pressure.

UJ, on the other hand, struggled to impose themselves consistently, finding it difficult to gain momentum against a dominant UFH outfit.

SCORERS

FNB UFH Women: (21) 49

Tries: Jobo Sibabalwe X2, Thokozani Sikela, Inga Qhogi, Siphokuhle Vakele, Litha Tofu, Simamnkele Jolingana.

FNB UJ Women: (0) 12

Tries: Hlobisile Mbatha, Thabisile Zungu

FNB Player of the Match: Thokozani Sikela (FNB UFH Women)

TEAMS

FNB UFH Women: Simnikiwe Mlakalaka, Mila Wawa, Eyam Ngalo, Qaqamba Ndzondana, Siphelele Dlamini, Thokozani Sikela, Aphiwe Nqana, Rose Haka, Sinekhaya Tywaleni, Inga Qhogi, Zanele Sikela, Lilitha Vakalisa, Sibabalwe Vakele, Siphokuhke Vakele, Litha Tofu.

FNB UJ Women: Vuyiswa Dlamini, Salizwa Tyali, Alutha Ngcezula, Sphilile Sigwaza, Sindiswa Ngwenya, Nomcebo Mchunu, Siyanda Mtsweni, Amber Howell, Thembelihle Mgwenya, Siham Chtioui, Boitumelo Motshoane, Siniyolo Nqinekile, Sande Ndanani, Chinemrem Soronnadi, Hlobisile Mbatha.