From behind to dominant: Maties triumph over UJ at Varsity Cup

From a half-time deficit to a commanding 20-point victory, the Maroon Machine showed resilience in the second round of the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup. 

The FNB Maties took on the University of Johannesburg (UJ) at a packed Danie Craven Stadium on Monday night, 23 February, where the final score was 39-19. 

Things were not looking promising for coach Kabamba Floors’ pack when they trailed 16-8 at half-time. UJ scored two tries in the first half while Maties scored one. The energy in the stadium was low as concerned supporters watched the Stellenbosch side struggle to find their rhythm. Maties student and supporter, André Smit, believed that the Stellenbosch side could get back into the game. “At this point, I don’t care, as long as they win,” Lwandisile Mhlanga, another student and supporter, added when asked what the team could do to improve their game.

Centre CJ Marx scored the first try for the Maroon Machine after the break and shifted the momentum of the game. Marx, who got Player of the Match, said that they had a slow start. “The boys […] showed a lot of character and had a good second half,” said Marx. Maties scored five tries in the second half while UJ scored none. Maties captain and scrum-half Ezekiel Ngobeni was among the try-scorers. “The change came when we as a collective started applying ourselves more,” said the skipper, adding that this involved getting the basics right and sticking to the given plan. 

“Discipline really let us down. I think that was the major key point for the game,” said UJ captain and try-scorer, Thabang Mphafi. The eighth man agreed that they needed to go back to the drawing board. 

After this victory, Maties sit third on the log. Having gained five points, this brings confidence to the Stellenbosch side, as last week they were fifth on the log following their loss to the FNB Shimlas. UJ have lost four spots on the log as they started the Varsity Cup at the top, but now sit at fifth place.  

Maties will face the University of Pretoria at the Tuks Stadium, on 2 March at 19:00.