Pretoria side beats NWU Eagles 31-3 to cap off a remarkable campaign, completing a journey from relegation to champions.
Pretoria, South Africa (14 April 2026) – Tuks of Niks!
What a turnaround story for FNB UP-Tuks. Just a short while ago, they were battling it out in the Varsity Shield. Now, they’re back at the top of university rugby after powering their way to a 31–3 victory over FNB NWU Eagles in the 2026 Varsity Cup final.
Played at a packed TUKS Stadium, the final brought together the top two teams of the season. While conditions made for a slippery and physical contest early on, it was the visitors who struck first, with a penalty putting the Eagles ahead.
Tuks, however, didn’t take long to respond. A composed kick from Divan du Toit levelled matters before the Pretoria side began to assert themselves through their forward pack. Their pressure eventually paid off with a penalty try, giving them the lead heading into halftime.
From there, it was all Tuks.
The second half saw the home side take full control, turning pressure into points. Andile Myeni lit up the match with a brilliant solo try, slicing through the defence, before Jean Fourie added another as Tuks stretched their advantage. Although conversions proved tricky in the wet, the momentum firmly belonged to the hosts.
Du Toit later made amends off the tee with a long-range penalty, before adding further points to put the result beyond doubt and seal a dominant performance.
But beyond the scoreboard, this victory carries a deeper meaning.
This is the same Tuks side that experienced the disappointment of relegation to the Varsity Shield. Instead of staying down, they regrouped, won promotion back to the Varsity Cup, and have now completed one of the most remarkable comeback stories in recent university rugby history by lifting the title.
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It’s a journey that speaks to resilience and refusal to be defined by setbacks.
On a night where the rain poured and the pressure was high, Tuks delivered when it mattered most.
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Sources: FNB Varsity Cup
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