Latest news with #FNBVarsityCup
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
UCT rugby sensation Ntokozo Makhaza shocked by Boks alignment camp call up
UCT student and rugby sensation Ntokozo Makhaza has been selected for the Springboks' latest alignment camp. Image: Lerato Maduna BEING selected for the Springboks' latest alignment camp was the last thing on University of Cape Town (UCT) student and rugby sensation Ntokozo Makhaza's mind. After all, the 23-year-old has not yet signed to a professional franchise and is still completing his degree. It's his performances during the recent FNB Varsity Cup that not only saw his Ikey Tigers side clinching the title, but earned him a spot in the country's top 54 players considered for national selection. 'I actually thought they were just reaching out to congratulate me on the Varsity Cup season. It didn't sink in until I saw the official announcement on the Springboks' social media page. I was very surprised that I'm part of the camp; a bit nervous, but excited. I'm just happy and motivated to see that people are watching and monitoring varsity rugby. It inspired me to believe more that the dreams I have are possible.' The Springbok invitation is the latest milestone in what has already been a standout year for Makhaza. He dominated the 2025 Varsity Cup, guiding the UCT Ikey Tigers to victory and earning both Player of the Year and Backline Player of the Year honours – for the second consecutive year. Born in Harrismith in the Free State, Makhaza grew up playing soccer, but switched to rugby in primary school, quickly falling in love with the sport. Inspired by smaller, strategic players like Patrick Lambie, he found his place on the field as a fast, intelligent backline player. He said he is focused on absorbing everything he can during the Springbok alignment camp. 'If anyone would say I would be part of the Springbok aligning camp a few years back or even at the beginning of this year I would have looked at them and laughed. To me it's an honour and I'm privileged and humbled. I think it's been created by the coaches and players because of the opportunity and platform they gave me. I'm humbled and excited for the opportunity. 'To be in the camp is an awesome opportunity of learning for me. The main goal is to learn and absorb as much as I can so that when I join the Cheetahs I'm better than when I was here at UCT. I'm always looking to improve and get better, and I know the camp will provide me with a lot of detail and I will find a lot of growth there.' In July 2025, Makhaza will take the next step in his career by joining the Free State Cheetahs for the upcoming Currie Cup season – a move he sees as both a professional opportunity and a return home. 'They're giving youngsters a chance, and I want to make the most of that. It's about learning, growing and giving my best.' Cape Times
The Herald
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Madibaz miss Cup promotion by barest of margins
The Madibaz came within a whisker of returning to the FNB Varsity Cup competition in 2026 after pushing the University of Johannesburg all the way in a thrilling promotion-relegation clash in Pretoria on Monday. A pick-and-go by Orange Army utility forward Josh du Toit in the 74th minute ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides as the men from the City of Gold regained the lead for the last time to seal a 24-21 victory. It was heartbreaking stuff for the Nelson Mandela University students, who rallied back from a 12-0 deficit to go into the halftime break two points ahead. Tries by wing Jaden Witbooi and centre Lwande Davane in the final 10 minutes of the first stanza gave them just the momentum they needed on a blisteringly hot day on the highveld. Fullback Layron Milborrow was on song all morning, converting each of his side's three five-pointers. The lead changed hands repeatedly in the second half, a sure indication that the match was going to go down to the wire. A penalty-try in the 54th minute, resulting from immense forward pressure by UJ, could easily have put Madibaz on the back foot, but the Gqeberha students hit back almost immediately. Madibaz skipper Leon van der Merwe, playing his last season of Varsity Rugby, crossed the whitewash after some muscle-flexing of their own in the UJ red zone. That put them 21-19 ahead with just over 10 minutes to play. They managed to withstand the UJ assault until Du Toit got on the back of a rolling maul to give his side the win that kept them in the Varsity Cup. While Madibaz will be disappointed that they will not be returning to student rugby's premier competition in 2026, they have enjoyed an excellent season. They reached the Shield final where they gave a powerful Varsity College unit a real run for their money and have now gone toe-to-toe with an experienced Cup team. This, despite losing 10 senior players at the end of 2024. Van der Merwe said it was a tough game for his charges. 'UJ really brought it to us. But I am still very proud of the boys. 'It was a great fight out there. It was a long, hard season and to finish it off like that makes me really proud of everyone.' — Full Stop Communications
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Springboks ring the changes for clash with Australia
Coach Kevin Foote has rotated the squad, being aware of the demands that three internationals played in 11 days will have on the players. Kyle Smith, who shone against Argentina last week, will play from the bench againt Australia on Tuesday. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made several rotational changes to his starting line-up and included four players who played for the South African U20s last year for their second Rugby Championship U20 match against Australia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Tuesday (kick-off 4.10pm). The Junior Springboks managed to beat Argentina 36–25 in the opening round last Thursday, while Australia forced a late draw against New Zealand, scoring the equalising try after the hooter had sounded. Junior Springboks change line-up Foote has handed starts to JC Mars, Wandile Mlaba, Batho Hlekani and Herman Lubbe, all of whom played for the Junior Springboks last year. The SA U20 coach said it is important to keep their momentum going, manage the load of the players whilst also building squad depth by giving the players exposure to top-class international rugby. 'We play three internationals against quality teams in just 11 days, and with the short turnaround time between matches, we must be smart with our player load management,' Foote said. 'We have good squad depth and it's important for the players to get a taste of international rugby, while we also want to build on our performance against Argentina, knowing that Australia will pose a huge challenge for us.' In the front row, Simphiwe Ngobese and Lubbe will pack down as props on either side of hooker Juandre Schoeman. Riley Norton is retained at lock and will captain the team again, partnering with Morne Venter. The loose forward combination sees Xola Nyali, who had a successful campaign with FNB Varsity Cup champions, UCT, coming onto the side of the scrum at flanker. He teams up with Hlekani, who made a strong impact off the bench in the second half against the Pumitas, while Mlaba is retained at No 8, to complete the loose trio. Kyle Smith out, Vusi Moyo in at flyhalf Amongst the backs there is a new halfback pairing consisting of Ceano Everson (scrumhalf) and Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), while the midfield comprises of Dominic Malgas and Scott Nel. Cheswill Jooste will start again at right wing, and he will be joined in the back three by Siya Ndlozi (left wing) and Mars (fullback). Junior Springboks starting XV: JC Mars, Cheswill Jooste, Scott Nel, Dominic Malgas, Siya Ndlozi, Vusi Moyo, Ceano Everson, Wandile Mlaba, Batho Hlekani, Xola Nyali, Morne Venter, Riley Norton (captain), Herman Lubbe, Juandre Schoeman, Simphiwe Ngobese. Replacements: HB Odendaal, Oliver Reid, Jean Erasmus, Neil Hansen, Thando Biyela, Elrich Visser, Kyle Smith, Gino Cupido.
