WSU’s hunger to tackle Wits’ experience in Varsity Shield Final

Walter Sisulu University All Blacks captain Lukhangele Tshayi says they will go all out and won’t hold back against Wits in theVarsity Shield finalat Wits Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday. That game will mark the All Blacks’ first return to the finals since 2021. It will also be their third Shield final, the other twofailed attempts in 2018 against UWCand five years ago to CPUT.

Similar to the 2026 edition, those two finals were away. In contrast, Wits won the Shield finals in 2012 and 2016. “They [Wits] have won it before; we have never done it,” Tshayi said after their 42-32 semifinal victory over UWC at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane last Friday.

“It’s frustrating that the All Blacks have never won the Shield. It is what now drives us as a team to put in more effort.” He said they were determined to put in a strong 80-minute effort and break the finals hoodoo. Tshayi said they would consult the blueprint fromwhen the two sides met in round one of the competition.

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That game in February had the All Blacks as underdogs against Wits, who were at that stage newly relegated from the top tier Varsity Cup. Most believed it would be one-way traffic because of Wits’ stature.

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