University of Fort Hare Stages Historic Second Half Comeback to Secure 2026 Varsity Cup Women’s Title

University of Fort Hare completes a stunning 14-point comeback to beat UWC 24-21. Read how the Baby Blues secured the 2026 Women's Varsity Cup title.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 4:49 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

A Championship Defined by Second Half Resilience

The UFH Baby Blues secured a landmark victory in the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup Women’s Final, producing a performance characterized by clinical execution under pressure. After trailing significantly at the break, the visiting side utilized the second forty minutes to dismantle a previously comfortable UWC lead. The turnaround was not merely a matter of momentum but a calculated offensive surge that saw the Baby Blues cross the whitewash three times in the latter stages of the match to silence the home crowd in Bellville.

Early Exchanges and Host Dominance

The match opened with high physical intensity as both university sides sought to establish territorial control. UWC, known as the Caracals, were the first to find a breach in the defense, crossing for an opening try that set an aggressive tone for the hosts. Although UFH responded quickly through the power of Mila Wawa, whose converted try briefly gave the visitors the lead, the remainder of the first half belonged to UWC. The hosts began to dictate the pace of the game, finding gaps in the Baby Blues' defensive line as the interval approached.

The Impact of Point of Origin Scoring

UWC’s control of the first half was solidified by a moment of individual brilliance from captain Amber Beukes. Her try was registered as a point of origin score, a tactical boost that carries extra weight in the competition's scoring format. Alongside a try from Jada Davids and successful conversions, this allowed the Caracals to enter the locker rooms with a commanding 14 point cushion. At that stage of the contest, the hosts appeared to have all the necessary components to secure the title on their home turf.