TUT shock defending champions UFS in Varsity Football round 2

TUT opened their 2026 Varsity Football campaign with a crucial 1-0 victory over defending champions UFS in Bloemfontein on Friday, securing their first three points of the season while the Kovsies suffer their second straight loss at home. UWC bounced back in style from last week’s draw, defeating UP-Tuks 1-0 away, while Wits also claimed their first three points after edging UL to hand the Limpopo side a second defeat of the campaign. UJ completed the round’s victories, walking away with all three points at Harry Gwala Stadium.

TUT 1-0 UFS

The Tshwane University of Technology are off the mark in the 2026 Varsity Football following a hard-fought 1-0 win over the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein on Friday.

While it’s three points in the bag for the Red Army, they were made to work hard for them by the defending champions.

The first half was always expected to be a tight affair between two teams that like to attack early. For the opening 30 minutes, both sides created opportunities, but it was only a corner by UFS that really threatened the TUT goal. However, it never developed into an attempt with any real venom.

The best chance of the first half came with just over five minutes left on the clock, when the Red Army had a proper crack at goal following another nervous mistake by UFS. However, they were denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Lethokuhle Makhaya, while the resulting corner was tame. The players headed into the changerooms with the score deadlocked at 0-0.

In the second half, it was TUT who started much more aggressively on the attack, and their pressure finally paid off when a mistake in the UFS box resulted in a penalty for the team from the capital city.

It was none other than TUT’s inspirational captain and veteran, Lucky Raphala, who broke the deadlock, calmly converting from the spot.

While UFS pushed hard in the closing stages of the game, they lacked the finishing touch needed to find an equaliser as they suffered back-to-back defeats. It’s back to the drawing board for the defending champions as they now prepare to face Wits next Friday in Bloemfontein.

SCORERS

TUT: (0) 1

Lucky Raphala

UFS: (0) 0

Player of the Match: Tshiamo Rantho (TUT)

TEAMS:

TUT: Luyanda Mandindi, Operatile Mapudi, Ntshuxeko Mkhabela, Tshiamo Rantho, Lehlomo Tolo, Thobani Ngwenya, Karabo Rangata, Lucky Raphala (captain), Kearabilwe Mphahlele, Akani Rathokoa, Likho James. 

UFS: Lethokuhle Makhaya, Ben Kraai, Sandle Mhlanga, Philani Zondi, Itumeleng Louw, Luvuyo Kwasi, Ishepo Ndlovu, Jarome Jansen (captain), Kagisho Lekhoala, Kagiso Semenya, Adolph Radingoana.

UP-Tuks 0-1 UWC

Three-time Varsity Football champions UP-Tuks locked horns with former defending champions UWC on quest to secure back-to-back wins in the opening round robin games of Varsity Football campaign. 

The home side made a sluggish start, conceding a penalty inside the opening five minutes after Jason Cox was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the box. Relebohile Matima stepped up from the spot with a chance to put the visitors ahead, but his effort towards the far post was brilliantly kept out by Gennaro Johnson, who produced a fine save to deny him.

The Stripe Generation looked to have found their mojo in the 20th minute posing their first threatening attack. Sinalo Nyawose found himself alone in the box but fired wide out. The closely contested stanza ended deadlocked at the break. 

Tuks returned from the tunnel rejuvenated unleashing Matome Rangata and Chuene Moabelo to reinforce their attack. 

The duo posed early threat with Rangata breaking UWC defence but failing to feed the attacking players in the box. UWC remained composed at the back and relied on counter attack and were immediately rewarded for their efforts. 

The Stripe Generation committed numbers forward as they searched for an early breakthrough, but it was UWC who struck first. Substitute Tyrese Davids broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, racing onto a counter attack before calmly lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to give UWC a 1-0 lead.

UWC found themselves stranded and committed a foul making the first booking of the match when Luphulo Zini fouling Risen Albert. Tuks kept asking questions to the UWC, but their efforts never materialize as the visitors took a 1-0 victory. 

SCORERS: 

UP-Tuks: (0) 0

UWC: (0) 1

Tyrese Davids

Player of the Match: Lebogang Mswane (UP-Tuks) TEAMS:

UP-Tuks: Gennaro Johnson, Sibusiso Tolomane, Jason Cox, Paballo Mamabolo, Nkosana Shabalala, Lebogang Mswane, Joshua Wood, Matome Rangata, Samukelo Ngodela, Phiwayinkhosi Dube, Ntokozo Madela.

UWC: Zubeir Mohamed, Wanda Ntsonkotha, Imaan January, Zamian Plaatjies, Iviwe Dyabuza, Malinga Mdodana, Mesuli Manzi, Sesethu Ntuku-Ntuku, Vuyani Ncontsa, Arnold Dube, Zukhanye Qaba.

Wits 3-0 UL

Wits delivered a commanding performance on home turf, cruising to a convincing 3-0 victory over UL after controlling the contest through key moments in both halves. 

Wits opened the scoring in the 16th minute after a dangerous tackle inside the area resulted in a penalty. Mxolisi Mthiya stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.

UL looked to respond as the half progressed, while Wits continued to threaten on the attack. In the 38th minute, UL's Malwanda Makamu produced a crucial save to deny Wits from doubling their advantage, keeping the visitors within touching distance.

The home side continued to create chances, although several efforts narrowly missed the target. UL’s defensive trio of Makamu, captain Reggy Masebe and Kagiso Shokane worked tirelessly to withstand the sustained pressure and keep Wits’ attackers at bay.

At the other end, Wits goalkeeper Reddel Duh and his defenders remained composed, keeping the UL attack from finding a way through.

In the second half, Wits wasted no time extending their advantage after the restart. Tebogo Masemola found himself in space on the right and finished from a cross to make it 2-0 just over a minute in. 

Tensions were high as UL continued to push forward in search of a way back into the contest, but Wits remained disciplined. In the 77th minute, Siphesihle Ntombela tested UL goalkeeper Mosa Mabitsela, who made an important save low to his left to keep the score at 2-0.

In the 91st minute, UL were reduced to 10 men when Maano Paswana received a red card following a challenge on Wits captain Kgwadi Molepo.

Wits took full advantage of their numerical advantage late on. In the 95th minute, Thato Putswane, who came off the bench, added a third goal thanks to a cross from from just outside the box as full time was called. 

SCORERS

Wits: (1) 3

Mxolisi Mthiya, Tebogo Masemola, Thato Putswane.

UL: (0) 0

Player of the Match: Kaihil Thierry Cloete (Wits)

TEAMS:Wits: Kgwadi Molepo (captain), Mxolisi Mthiya, Tebogo Masemola, Obakeng Leping, Kaihil Thierry Cloete, Tshimologo Mokae, Thabo Mphaki, Keabetswe Segaetsho, Simangaliso Dlamini, Karabo Tsoane, Reddel Duh.

UL: Mosa Mabitsela, Fesbon Ngobeni, Malwandla Makamu, Reggy Kabelo Masebo (Captain), Kagiso Shokane, Simon Katlego Malebe, Kholofelo Malevo Mamabolo, Mohlatego Sekole, Katlego Calvin Mathabathe, Theto Mohale, Maano Phashwana.

DUT 0-1 UJ

Following strong opening games from both sides, DUT and UJ entered the clash full of confidence and momentum, but only one team could walk away with all three points.

DUT began the match nervously, making a couple of early errors that immediately put them under pressure. The build-up of mistakes eventually proved costly as UJ’s Tshepo Mosieleng capitalised with a crucial finish in the 12th minute to give the visitors the lead.

For most of the first half, the match was played in DUT’s half as the home side struggled to settle after conceding. UJ remained composed and looked comfortable with their advantage, heading into the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half began on a much better note for DUT, who looked a more confident and organised side after the restart. However, a pivotal combination between Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza and Njabulo Jele at the centre of the pitch ensured UJ remained defensively solid and kept the Orange Army at bay.

UJ almost surrendered their lead late in the match when they conceded a penalty, giving DUT a golden opportunity to level the scores. Nkululeko Nkosi stepped up from the spot in the 83rd minute, but unfortunately for the home side, he was unable to convert.

The drama intensified in the closing stages as both teams were reduced to 10 men following red cards, one for each side in the last 10 minutes of the game. 

In the end, UJ held on for a hard-fought 1-0 victory in a match filled with pressure, missed opportunities and late drama.

SCORERS

DUT: (0) 0

UJ: (1) 1

Tshepo Mosieleng

Player of the match: Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza (UJ)

TEAMS:

DUT: Sekwanele Mtolo, Alwande Mjilo, Nkululeko Nkosi, Luyanda Ntuli, Lusiba Dlamini, Fanelesibonge Ndwandwe, Bonga Mthembu, Nqubeko Magoso, Phiwayinkosi Mchunu, Awande Buthelezi. 

UJ: Moraka Mathidza, Tumelo Machete, Ofentse Motlhabi, Njabulо Jele, Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza, Sandile Nkosi, Keletso Sekhwela, Tshepo Mosieleng, Mnotho Mthethwa, Ndabezinhle Nkosi, Tokoloho Vilakazi.

Fixtures: HERE

Tickets: HERE