At Shimla Park, the Shimlas opened their campaign in style, beating Maties 50-39 in a pulsating encounter that delivered both history and heart.

The clash produced the first-ever powerplay (tap) tries in Varsity Cup history, although that milestone went the way of the visitors from Stellenbosch. Still, it was the hosts who made the early statement.

Armand Combrinck scores for Maties. Photo: Hannes Naudé

Shimlas exploded out of the blocks, racing into a 21-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes. Winger Kirwin du Preez, centre Wynand Botha, and hooker Jaco Bezuidenhout all crossed as the Bloemfontein outfit imposed themselves with pace and precision.

But Maties, five-time champions, are never easily subdued. Just before half-time, they dramatically shifted momentum. After scoring their second try, they opted against the routine conversion and instead backed themselves from a quick tap. The gamble paid off when CJ Marx powered over for the tournament’s first powerplay try, cutting the deficit to 21-17 at the break.

The visitors carried that energy into the second half. Christiaan van Heerden Smith and Armand Combrinck dotted down to heap pressure on the home side, briefly swinging the contest in Maties’ favour.

Erich Visser of the Shimlas is already on the Toyota Cheetahs’ radar. Photo: Hannes Naudé

Shimlas, however, responded with composure and flair. Lock Maynard Kleynhans produced a moment of magic, sprinting down the touchline like a winger to score in the corner. Liam Shamburg added his name to the scoresheet in a lively display, earning him Player of the Match honours.

Captain Bradley Giddy then stepped up when it mattered most, calmly slotting two long-range kicks to stretch the lead and create breathing room.

Maties refused to fade. Replacement hooker CJ Erasmus barged over on full-time, and lock Zuko Poswa added another successful powerplay effort to keep the scoreboard ticking. Yet the hosts had already done enough to seal a memorable bonus-point victory.

NWU Eagles captain Stephan Krugel on the charge. Photo: Hannes Naudé

The evening carried added emotion, as Shimlas paid tribute to two recently departed icons of Free State rugby – Oom Tat Botha and former Springbok hooker Wessel Lightfoot. Fittingly, the team honoured their legacy with a performance full of fight and character.

Meanwhile, over at the Central University of Technology, it was the NWU Eagles who announced themselves with authority, claiming a 59-42 win over the CUT Ixias in a breathless, end-to-end spectacle.

The first half was played at breakneck speed. NWU struck first through hooker Jordan McLoughlin, who rumbled over from a driving maul. Ixias responded almost immediately, with Jade Muller crossing and Kehan Myburgh converting to level matters.

Eagles winger Therlow Prins began to stamp his mark on proceedings, slicing through for one of his three tries on the night. CUT hit back through Winton Abrahams with a well-worked Point of Origin score, before further seven-point efforts from Raydon Swartbooi and a powerplay try by Malcolm Lamont propelled the Ixias into a commanding 31-14 lead.

The Eagles, though, showed resilience. Luyolo Doyi cut into the deficit, and captain Stephan Krugel muscled over during a power play to keep the visitors in touch. A Myburgh penalty ensured CUT still led 34-24 at half-time.

McLoughlin completed his brace to ignite the comeback, and the Eagles struck twice in quick succession to edge ahead, silencing the home crowd. Emlyhn Jacobs kept CUT within striking distance, but the two-time champions began to assert control.

CUT Ixias flyhalf Kehan Myburgh was the Player that Rocked. Photo: Hannes Naudé

Guhan du Bois crossed as NWU tightened their grip, before Hanro Venter dotted down to put the result beyond doubt and cap a statement performance from the Potchefstroom side.

Prins’ hat-trick proved the headline act, but it was the Eagles’ collective composure and clinical finishing in the second half that ultimately made the difference.

Despite the defeat, CUT showed significant improvement from previous seasons. On this evidence, they will be far more competitive in 2026 and are unlikely to be easy prey for any side.

Meanwhile, in Monday’s other first round games, the University of Johannesburg beat the new boys on the block, Emeris (Varsity College) 61-41 in Johannesburg, while on the road in the Capital City, the University of Pretoria Tuks claimed a big scalp by beating the defending champions, the University of Cape Town Ikeys 38-22.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm