Varsity Cup reaching fever pitch in Stellenbosch
Ahead of next week’s semi-finals, it was all-out action in the last round-robin encounters of the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup with Maties beating CUT and UJ outclassing UWC. NWU Eagles were victorious over UCT Ikeys while UFS Shimlas navigated their way past FNB Wits.
FNB MATIES 26 – 20 FNB CUT
FNB Maties managed to hang on for a 26-20 victory over FNB CUT in a cold and wet Bloemfontein. The tough conditions marred good attacking play throughout the night.
It was the Ixias who opened the scoring through a penalty by fly-half Juan Smith and it would be Smith who stretched the host’s lead to 6-0 a few minutes later. CUT made their early penalties count before conceding the game’s opening try (Roland van der Heever) to the rolling maul of the Maroon Machine.
The visitors repeated the trick when they scored their second in similar fashion. Eric Basson giving Maties the lead for the first time, and Juan Mostert adding the extras. Maties went into the half-time break 12-6 in the lead.
Maties scored soon after the restart as substitute winger Christiaan Van Heerden-Smith scored for his side, and Juan Mostert converting once more. Player That Rocks Louw Nel added another try for the men from Stellenbosch and Mostert once again added the extras.
The hosts left it late once more, scoring a point-of-origin try, dotted down by Tiaan Drotskie. The home side would score again with time already up. Asekho Marubelela going over for the hosts, who left it a little bit too late.
SCORERS
Maties 26 (12) – Tries: Roland van der Heever, Eric Basson, Christiaan Van Heerden-Smith, Louw Nel. Conversions: Juan Mostert (3).
CUT 20 (6) – Tries: Tiaan Drotskie, Asekho Marubelela. Conversions: Floris Brand. Penalties: Juan Smith.
Player That Rocks: Louw Nel (FNB Maties)
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 24 – 12 FNB WITS
UFS Shimlas claimed a vital 24-12 bonus point victory over Wits at a wet Wits Rugby Stadium in Johannesburg to earn the honours of playing Maties at Stellenbosch coming Monday in their semi-final clash of the 2024 Varsity Cup.
The game kicked off in a cagey manner with both teams playing with caution on a wet surface. It was the Witsies that enjoyed early possession, but they failed to convert it into points, often being pegged back by handling errors.
Once Shimlas got into their groove, it was evident they would pose a threat to the Wits defence. First blood was drawn by the visitors, when hooker Liyema Mgwigwi dove over from close range, after playing through the phases. Flyhalf Ethan Wentzel made light work of the conversion, adding the extra 2 points to give his side a 7-0 lead.
Speedster Siviwe Zondani added his name to the scoresheet after well-worked team play that Zondani rounded off under the poles. Wentzel once again rose to the occasion and the visitors went into the half-time break 14-0.
UFS managed to score again after the second strategy through fullback Michael Annies.
Wits hit back shortly with Drew Bennet sliding over after receiving an incredible pass from outside centre Liyema Matyolweni.
The much-needed bonus point try for Shimlas was scored by Gideon Nel, with the resulting conversion attempt striking the upright.
Wits got a consolation try in the last move of the game, with flanker Kelvin Kanenungo barging his way over to see the match end 24-12 in favour of Shimlas.
SCORERS
FNB UFS-Shimlas 24 (14) – Tries: Liyema Mgwigwi, Siviwe Zondani, Michael Annies, Gideon Nel. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2).
FNB Wits 12 (0) – Tries: Drew Bennet, Kelvin Kanenungo.
FNB Player That Rocks: Ethan Wentzel (FNB Shimlas)
