Let's Vote for Our Eagles: NWU Stars Nominated for Varsity Cup’s Highest Honors
- Karen Scheepers
- 24 hours ago
- 3 min read
The 2026 FNB Varsity Cup has reached its crescendo, and while the battle for the trophy heads to Pretoria this coming Monday, a different kind of contest is heating up off the field. The official nominees for the Player That Rocks awards have been unveiled, and to the delight of the Potchefstroom faithful, two of our own FNB NWU Eagles have been recognized by the tournament’s head coaches for their world-class contributions throughout the season.
The Nominees: Our Eagles Taking Flight
The nomination process is a rigorous one; head coaches from all eight universities cast weighted votes, but they are strictly forbidden from nominating their own players. This means the inclusion of our Eagles is a massive nod of respect from the opposition.
FNB Back That Rocks: Matthew Fortuin
Despite the injury scare in the semi-final, Matthew Fortuin has been the heartbeat of the Eagles' backline all season. His vision, tactical kicking, and ability to spark an attack from nothing have made him one of the most feared centers in the competition. He faces stiff competition from Divan du Toit (Tuks) and Jack Benade (UCT), but Fortuin’s consistency in high-pressure moments makes him a frontrunner for the R7,500 prize.
FNB Forward That Rocks: Ricardo Fourie
In the engine room, Ricardo Fourie has been nothing short of a titan. Known for his immense work rate and dominance at the breakdown, Fourie’s try-scoring heroics in the semi-final against Maties were just a glimpse of the "never-say-die" attitude he brings to every scrum and ruck. He is nominated alongside Aden Da Costa (UCT) and Thabang Mphafi (UJ), representing the very best of the competition's physical enforcers.
Overall Player That Rocks: The Heavyweights
While the Eagles focused their dominance in the positional categories, the Overall Player That Rocks award (and the R10,000 cheque) sees a three-way battle between some of the tournament’s most consistent performers:
Ezekiel Ngobeni (FNB Maties)
Thabang Mphafi (FNB UJ)
Jack Benade (FNB UCT)
How to Cast Your Vote
The power is now in the hands of the fans! The coaches have done their part, and now the Purple Army needs to mobilize to ensure our boys get the recognition they deserve. Voting is open from now until 08:00 on Friday, 10 April.
The winners will be crowned in front of a global audience immediately following the Grand Final on April 13th. Let’s make sure those cheques are headed home to Potchefstroom!
Link to vote: https://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/vote-for-the-fnb-varsity-cup-2026-players-of-the-tournament
The Grand Final Fixture
The countdown to the big dance is officially on. Mark your calendars and set your reminders as the Eagles look to soar one last time in 2026.
Teams | Venue | Date | Time | Watch |
FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB NWU Eagles | Tuks Stadium | Mon, 13 April | 19:00 | SuperSport |
Final Whistle
Seeing Matthew Fortuin and Ricardo Fourie among the nominees is a proud moment for the NWU rugby program. It underscores the depth of talent and the quality of coaching at the Fanie du Toit. However, individual accolades are the cherry on top, the real prize remains the Varsity Cup trophy itself. As we head into voting week and final preparations for the Pretoria showdown, let’s show the country that the Eagles don't just play with skill, they play with the support of the best fans in South Africa. Vote now, and we’ll see you at Tuks Stadium!
🦅🗳️🏉🏆
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