{"id":306086,"date":"2026-02-19T06:11:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T04:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/difficult-start-for-maties-as-fnb-varsity-cup-kicks-off\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T16:52:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:52:44","slug":"difficult-start-for-maties-as-fnb-varsity-cup-kicks-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/difficult-start-for-maties-as-fnb-varsity-cup-kicks-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Difficult start for Maties as FNB Varsity Cup kicks off"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The FNB UFS Shimlas drew first blood in the 2026 Varsity Cup with a thrilling 50-39 bonus-point victory over the FNB Maties at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Monday evening (16 February).\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The high-scoring clash marked a historic moment in the tournament’s history, with the first-ever powerplay (tap) tries being scored. Shimlas burst out of the blocks, racing to a commanding 21-0 lead within the first 25 minutes. Winger Kirwin du Preez, centre Wynand Botha and hooker Jaco Bezuidenhout all crossed the whitewash as the hosts stamped their authority early on.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just minutes before half-time, the Maroon Machine clawed their way back with a second try. Instead of opting for a routine conversion, they backed themselves and went for the quick tap, which paid off handsomely as CJ Marx crashed over to score the tournament’s first-ever powerplay try.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shimlas went into the break holding a slender 21-17 lead after a momentum-swinging end to the half.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maties came out firing in the second stanza, with Christiaan van Heerden Smith and Armand Combrinck dotting down to swing the pressure to the home side. But Shimlas responded in style; the impressive lock Maynard Kleynhans showed surprising pace, beating defenders down the touchline to score in the corner. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liam Shamburg then added his name to the scoresheet in a standout performance that earned him the Player of the Match award. Captain Bradley Giddy kept his composure under pressure, slotting two long-range kicks to stretch the lead and put the game seemingly out of reach for the five-time champions. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maties’ replacement hooker CJ Erasmus powered over on the stroke of full-time and, in another successful powerplay move, lock Zuko Poswa grabbed an additional five points to keep the scoreboard ticking, but their efforts were in vain as the hosts claimed victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Maties loose forward Fortune Mpofu prepares to fend off a UFS Shimlas player during the sides’ opening 2026 Varsity Cup match in Bloemfontein. Photo: Hannes Naude\/Asem Engage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The FNB UFS Shimlas drew first blood in the 2026 Varsity Cup with a thrilling 50-39 bonus-point victory over the FNB Maties at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Monday evening 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Marx, Maties centre, takes on the Shimlas defensive line during the first-round Varsity Cup match between the two sides at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Monday evening (16 February). 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