Shimlas emerges as new Varsity champ favourite
Last Monday night FNB Maties came down in a crash of Free State dust when FNB Shimlas beat them with a huge margin of 50 -28. The result marks Shimlas’ third win against Maties in the history of the tournament – as well as their first victory against the men from Stellenbosch since 2015.
Last week, Shimlas scored eight tries and 56 points against UWC in Bellville. On this occasion, they put seven tries and 50 points past one of the tournament’s traditional powerhouses to announce themselves as the favourites for the 2022 Varsity Cup title.
It’s worth noting that Shimlas lost 81-24 to Maties in the corresponding fixture last year. Clearly a new coaching staff – which includes former Springbok attacking guru Swys de Bruin – and approach has made all the difference. The forwards laid the platform for this important victory. Openside flank Thabo Ndimande set the tone when he powered through the defence for the first of his two tries.
Shimlas turned down several kicks at goal in the period that followed and earned the desired reward when they scored four tries from close range. By half-time, the hosts had powered their way into a commanding lead. They had also secured the four-try bonus point. They weren’t done yet, though.
Lock Marco van Rhyn was shown a yellow card after Maties were given a team warning for cynical play on their own try line. Shimlas didn’t hesitate to kick the resultant penalty to touch. They reset their formidable maul and scored. Ndimande emerged from the pile of bodies and was credited with his third try of the evening. The flanker had an outstanding match at the set pieces and at the breakdowns but was particularly potent with ball in hand.
The Free State students lost their way in the third quarter and conceded two yellow cards due to infringements on their own try line. Maties narrowed the deficit to 10 points – and may have reduced the gap further if not for their wayward goal-kicking.
According to the captain of the Shimlas, Thabang Mahlasi, their entire game plan is built around intensity, and this has very much become a part of their DNA as a team.
‘It’s been a while since Shimlas were able to beat Maties,’ says the mobile second-rower. ‘The boys knew that we had to show up for the game and it was a big match for us because it was at home in front of the Shimlas fans.
“We had to do it for ourselves too and going forward we just have to stay humble and continue working hard. The intensity is part of our game plan and with the systems that we have in place, it must happen at a high intensity. The boys stuck to the systems, and everything just fell into place.”
Against the run of play, however, the 13-man Shimlas struck a telling blow.
This coming Monday night Maties play their first home game of the season and supporters are sure to pack the Danie Craven Stadium to the brim as they face third placed on the log Wits. Maties is currently in sixth position, but it is early days and a lot can, and will, happen in the Varsity Cup competition.
