FORTRESS WESTDENE: A SEASON OF LEGACY AND GRIT AT THE ALUMNI CORNER The roar of the Orange Army returned to the UJ Stadium in 2026, and with it, a renewed sense of connection that spanned decades. Throughout this year’s FNB Varsity Cup campaign, the UJ Alumni Office transformed the stadium’s Alumni Corner into a vibrant hub of reminiscence and networking. For every home game, the air was thick with the shared stories of graduates from UJ and its esteemed legacy institutions, Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) and Rand Afrikaans University (RAU). The Home Campaign: A Fortress Established The 2026 season was defined by a formidable home record that saw the UJ Stadium earn the moniker, Fortress Westdene. Alumni gathered on the following dates to witness a high-octane brand of rugby: • 16 February 2026: UJ kicked off the season with a high-scoring statement, defeating newcomers Emeris 61-41. • 2 March 2026: In a nail-biting encounter against the NWU Eagles, Captain Thabang Mphafi scored a match-winning try in the dying moments to secure a 35-29 victory. • 16 March 2026: The Orange Army outclassed UFS Shimlas, winning 29-17 and firmly placing UJ in contention for the playoffs. • 30 March 2026: Despite a tough 22-51 loss to UP-Tuks in the final round-robin game, the grit shown throughout the season ensured UJ’s historic progression to the playoffs.
Alumni Corner Guests
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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