Tuks road to the final

UP-Tuks have battled their way through a season of twists, setbacks and late drama to book their place in the 2026 Varsity Football final, where they will face Tshwane rivals TUT at Tuks Stadium on 2 October.

The Stripe Generation announced themselves in style in the opening round, producing a clinical second-half comeback to defeat defending champions UFS 4-2. After trailing 2-1 at half-time, Tuks turned the game around through goals from Matome Rangata, Samukelo Ngodela and Paballo Mamabolo to claim an impressive opening victory.

The momentum was checked in the following two rounds. Tuks suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to UWC before drawing 1-1 with TUT in a fiercely contested Tshwane derby. Ntokozo Madela provided the equaliser against TUT after Likho James had put the Red Army ahead.

Tuks responded emphatically against DUT, securing a 3-0 away victory. Risen Albert was instrumental in the opening goal, setting up Madela before Rangata produced a spectacular long-range finish. Philasande Khuzwayo then completed the scoring to give Tuks three valuable points.

A narrow 2-1 defeat to Wits left Tuks needing points in their final two matches to remain in the hunt for the semi-finals. They delivered exactly that. A 3-0 victory over UL, featuring a sensational Rangata free kick and further goals from Albert and Raymond Matlamela, kept their campaign alive.

Then came a decisive final-round clash against log leaders UJ. Madela's 17th-minute strike proved enough as Tuks defended their advantage under sustained pressure to secure a 1-0 victory and book their semi-final place.

The semi-final brought another meeting with UJ and another game decided by the finest of margins. After a tense, tactical battle in front of a packed UJ Soweto Stadium, substitute Kholofelo Masenamela became the hero, finding the winner in the 86th minute. Tuks held firm through the frantic closing stages to secure a second successive 1-0 victory over UJ and a place in the final.

Now the stage is set for an all-Tshwane showdown. Tuks vs TUT. Tuks Stadium. 2 October. 19:00.

After seven rounds and a dramatic semi-final, the road ends with one final match and the 2026 Varsity Football title on the line.