Bloemfontein was in a state as UFS Shimlas stormed to a 50 – 39 bonus-point triumph over Maties in a powerplay-packed 2026 Varsity Cup curtain-raiser that had Shimla Park absolutely rocking.
The opening salvo of the 2026 Varsity Cup delivered everything the tournament promised: bone-rattling collisions, breathtaking tries, and a historic milestone as powerplay tries made their competitive debut. But when the final whistle pierced through the Bloemfontein evening air, it was the home faithful celebrating the victory.
UFS Shimlas announced their intentions with brutal efficiency, attacking the five-time champions with a 21-point blitzkrieg in the opening quarter. The Maties defence looked shell-shocked as winger Kirwin du Preez carved through the first gap, before centre Wynand Botha and hooker Jaco Bezuidenhout added their names to the scoresheet within 25 breathless minutes.
Shimla Park was bouncing. The Free Staters had laid down the gauntlet.
But championship pedigree runs deep in Stellenbosch veins. Just when the contest threatened to become a procession, the visitors from the Cape Winelands clawed their way back into the contest with a moment destined for the history books. After dotting down for their second try just before the break, Maties eschewed the conventional conversion attempt and backed themselves with the quick tap powerplay option.
CJ Marx crashed over to score the tournament’s maiden powerplay try, igniting the Maties fightback and slashing the deficit to just four points at 21–17.
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The second stanza delivered edge-of-your-seat drama. Christiaan van Heerden Smith and Armand Combrinck crossed for Maties to swing the momentum firmly onto the visitors shoulders. The pressure gauge was climbing dangerously.
Enter Maynard Kleynhans. The imposing lock showed pace that would make most wingers jealous, beating defenders down the touchline with surprising gas before diving over in the corner. It was the spark Shimlas desperately needed.
Liam Shamburg then produced the performance of the evening, earning player of the match honours with a commanding display capped by a crucial try that stretched the home side’s advantage.
Captain Bradley Giddy demonstrated ice-cold composure when it mattered most, bisecting the uprights twice from long range to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.
