By Anica Hattingh
The 2026 FNB Varsity Cup season opened in disappointment for the FNB Maties, who went down 50–39 to FNB UFS Shimlas in their first outing. Despite the setback, head coach Lucas “Kabamba” Floors remains focused on the bigger picture: “So, for us now, it’s just to take it game by game and then just see to get as [many] wins as possible.”
Floors emphasised that the team’s preparations will continue to guide their campaign. “We really want to go out there and see what we worked on; what we put out there is one of the main factors to do well in this week,” he said, underlining the intent driving the maroon machine forward.
In their next clash, Maties delivered a far more convincing performance against FNB UJ, showcasing an attacking intent from the outset. The home side started with energy, applying pressure through a series of lineouts and scrums as they drove towards the try line.
Eighteen minutes in, Ryan Manuel (13) led an assist with a well-weighted grubber to the right flank, sending it skidding towards the try line. Rynhardt van der Linden (14) timed his run to perfection, gathering the ball for Maties’ first try of the match.
UJ responded swiftly, with Kamo Molefe (6) crossing for the visitors’ opening score. The remainder of the first half saw a penalty in Maties’ favour, as well as a try by UJ captain Thabang Mphafi following a break from the scrum.
With the scoreboard at 16–8 in UJ’s favour, supporters continued to cheer on their maroon side. Maties captain Ezekiel Ngobeni (9) visibly encouraged his team, and the message seemed to resonate as they began mounting a comeback.
CJ Marx (12) powered over for Maties’ second try and Ngobeni soon followed with what appeared to be another. However, UJ contested the grounding and the try was disallowed. Undeterred, Maties continued to attack with intent.
Armand Combrink (2), McKyle Volmoer (21), Manuel – grabbing his second try of the night – and Ngobeni, who eventually secured his brace, all added their names to the scoresheet in a dominant second-half display.
When the final whistle sounded, Maties had turned the tide emphatically, sealing a 39–19 victory and restoring confidence to their Varsity Cup campaign.
