As we approach the knockout stages of the FNB Varsity Shield 2026 where the top four teams will battle it out in the semi-finals on Friday 3 April, it’s once again time for coaches and the fans that rock to cast their votes for the players who have stood out the most throughout in this year's tournament. The FNB Varsity Shield coaches have already named their nominees and now the public gets to make the final call by voting for the winners of the 2026 FNB Overall Player That Rocks, as well as the FNB Back That Rocks and FNB Forward That Rocks awards. The voting process beagan with all the head coaches nominating their top three players in each category and they were not allowed to nominate a player from their own team. The nominations are weighted with first position being allocated three points, second position two points and third position one point. The votes are then added up and the three players with the most points in each category are the nominees that you can vote for. You can cast your votes in the polls below from Friday 3 April until 9am on Wednesday 8 April and the winners will be the players with the most votes at the deadline. They winners will be announced during the final on 10 April. Here are the top nominees for the FNB Overall Player of the Tournament award. The winner will receive acheque for R10 000 powered by FNBy. Here are the nominees for the FNB Forward That Rocks who will receive R7 500 from FNBy. Here are the nominees for the FNB Back That Rocks who will receive R7 500 from FNBy. Voting will close on Wednesday 8 April at 9am and the winners will be announced after the FNB Varsity Shield final on 10 April where they will receive their awards and a cheques powered by FNBy. Cast your vote in the polls above and let us know who you voted for in the comments!

FNB WSU are embracing a defining moment in their 2026 FNB Varsity Shield campaign as they prepare to host FNB UWC in a highly anticipated semi-final at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Friday .   Having secured a home semi-final, FNB WSU head into the clash with confidence and composure, buoyed by strong preparation and the advantage of playing in familiar surroundings. “Preparations are going well so far, and it’s also an advantage that we’re not travelling,” said Assistant Coach Phumlani Blaauw , highlighting the importance of  stability in a high pressure week . The squad’s mindset has remained steady with a focus on staying grounded ahead of the knockout encounter. “The mood is cool, calm and collected,” he added, reflecting a team that understands the magnitude of the occasion without being overwhelmed by it. A key driver behind WSU’s success this season has been unity within the group.  “The togetherness of the boys is what made me most proud - it's  what got us where we are,” he said. Despite having reached similar stages in previous seasons, FNB WSU are determined  to turn opportunity into achievement this time around. “We’ve been here many times before, but we still have nothing to show. This semi-final means  everything.” Facing a well-drilled FNB UWC side, All Blacks  are under no illusions about the challenge ahead. “They are a very well-coached team that should not be underestimated. They can speed up the game or slow it down.” For WSU, the path to victory lies in execution. Dominance at set pieces and  relentless work rate off the ball will be crucial, while the home crowd could  provide the extra edge. “It’s our first home semi-final, and we want to make it count for the institution.” By: Ntsika Mpumlwana

Exactly a year ago, FNB Wits got relegated from the FNB Varsity Cup after a poor season in South Africa’s premier varsity rugby competition. It was a tough and painful period for the Johannesburg side, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Fast forward a year later, and the Wits Blues have earned automatic promotion to the Varsity Cup and have a semifinal berth against FNB Madibaz at home. “Reaching the semifinal is a massive achievement, the boys are feeling good, calm and relaxed,” captain, Latica Nela said. “We don’t want to make the occasion bigger than it is. For us, it’s just another rugby game. We are focused, we want that home final, but we need to produce a solid performance this week.” Nela and his troops have undoubtedly been the best team in the competition. They’ve played an entertaining brand of rugby, entertained weekly, and scored a bucket-load of tries. The skipper says the bond in the team is second to none, and that translates to their performances on the park. “Besides the hard work the management and team have put in, the most important thing that has got us over the line is how close we are as a squad,” he revealed. “It’s unique, I haven’t been part of a squad like this. The boys look out for each other on and off the field, and we have good relationships. “That helps a lot, and it’s personal – we all have a common goal. We have become like a family in many ways, and we rely on each other so much.” The Wits Blues are unbeaten at home and will rely on their passionate supporters to come out in numbers on Friday. They’ll come up against a resilient Madibaz side looking to make history and upset the tournament favourites. Nela says they know what to expect. “Madibaz are a good side, but they are coming up to altitude, and we are going to use that to our advantage. “We want to make them chase and see if they can keep up with us. We will be ruthless, we want to dominate set pieces, kicking play and every facet of the game.” Kick off at the Wits Rugby Stadium is at 17:00.   By: Avuyile Sawula

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