FNB CUT 41 FNB UP-TUKS 39
FNB CUT Ixias pulled off another sensational win in the 2023 Varsity Cup with a hard-fought 41-39 victory over defending champions FNB UP-Tuks in Bloemfontein.
The win meant back-to-back victories for the team that can no longer be considered a pushover while for Tuks the alarm bells will be ringing as it was their third straight defeat.
Tuks winger Zander Reynders opened the scoring but the home team struck back two minutes later with a try by Jandré de Beer who was later name the Player that Rocks.
For the rest of the first half, it was a see-saw battle with Ulrich Stander dotting down for CUT and Ethan Burger and Zenzile Ambesa for Tuks, giving the visitors a 23-16 lead at the halftime break.
In the second 40 minutes, the home team managed to outmuscle the defending champions thanks to two tries by Francois Bester and another one by Daniel Venter.
This led to the Ixias taking a slender 41-39 lead, and from there it was a matter of defending like crazy for the final ten minutes, which they successfully managed to do.
FNB CUT 41(16) – Tries: Jandré de Beer, Ulrich Stander, Francois Bester (2), Daniel Venter. Conversations: Tylor Sefoor (5).
FNB UP-TUKS 39 (23) – Tries: Zander Reynders, Ethan Burger, Zenzile Ambesa, Daimon O'Connell. Conversatons: Walter Visser (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Jandre de Beer (CUT).
FNB CUT: 15 Titus Ricoman, 14 Gouveia Adielson Gouveia, 13 Botha Lesley, 12 de Beer Jandré, 11 Malumane Tsepo Siphosethu, 10 Sefoor Tyler, 9 Swartbooi Xavier Alister, 8 Bester Francois Johannes, 7 Stander Ulrich Stephan, 6 Cloete Jacobus Johannes, 5 Sekele Matthew M. Maboe, 4 Marubelela Asekho Phindile, 3 Augustyn Zéan, 2 Drotske Tiaan, 1 Venter Albertus Bernard Human.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Cyster Kyle Edward, 14 Reynders Zander, 13 Daniels Lincoln Liam, 12Fourie Gerrit Christo, 11Lewis Clyde Alfurdo, 10Visser Walter, 9Cloete Rowan, 8Venter Divan, 7Gie Hilton, 6 Tlome Kamohelo, 5Meiring Dawid H. Lukas (Louis), 4 Kabasele Justice, 3 Coetzee Dian Stephan, 2Williams Allister Noel, 1Burger Ethan.
FNB MATIES 31 FNB NWU EAGLES28
FNB Maties overcame a ten-point deficit at halftime to beat FNB NWU Eagles 31-28 in Potchefstroom to get their 2023 Varsity Cup campaign back on track.
It took the home team just three minutes to open the scoring when Vernon Paulo went over the line after a driving maul.
Two more tries for the Eagles, including a second by Paulo, and three penalties by Maties flyhalf Jurie Mattheetook the scoreboard to 19-9 at halftime for NWU.
Maties came back firing on all cylinders in the second half with a beautiful try from Waqar Solaan.
The home team responded with a try by Arminn Posthumusbut a yellow card for Paulo left them wanting. A late try by Louw Nel sealed an emphatic win for Maties over NWU.
FNB NWU Eagles28(19) – Tries: Vernon Paulo (2), Zinedine Robinson, Arminn Posthumus. Conversations: Robinson (3).
FNB Maties 31 (9) – Tries: Louw Nel, Waqaar Solaan. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (2). Penalties: Matthee (5).
FNB Player That Rocks: Louw Nel (Maties).
FNB NWU Eagles: 15 Genis Riaan, 14 Windvogel Keano Ricardo, 13 Pretorius Theunis Gerhardus, 12 Phatudi Isrome, 11 Jaarts Naiden, 10 Robinson Zinedine, 9 Hassien Sylvester, 8 Erlank Gustav Zacharias, 7 Bertram Karl-Heinz Henlein, 6 Posthumus Arminn, 5 Nel Wihan, 4 White Junior, 3 Shezi Ntobeko Thabiso, 2 Paulo Vernon, 1 du Plessis Ruben.
FNB Maties: 15 Croy Cade Martin, 14 Van Schalkwyk Matthew Emile, 13 Topley Aydon Colin, 12 Solaan Waqar Bradwell, 11 PooeMaselino Alberto Neo, 10 Matthee Jurie Johannes, 9 VolmoerMckyle, 8 Marais De Wet, 7 Miller Simon, 6 Schoeman Camden, 5 Beukes Juan, 4 Kitshoff Matthys, 3 Weilbach Friedrich Cornelius (Corne), 2 Breytenback Francois, 1 Matongo Vernon Tadiwa.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 26 FNB WITS 25
FNB UFS Shimlas returned to winning ways in the Varsity Cup, edging FNB Wits 26-25 in a tense and exciting clash at in Bloemfontein. This was Wits’ first loss of the season.
Kwezi Dlamini opened the scoring in the 4th minute, however, it wasn’t too long before Wits struck with a try courtesy of hooker Dameon Venter.
Despite another try for the home team by Nkoka Ngobe, it was the visitors who were leading 20-14 at halftime courtesy of a long-range try by flyhalf Christian Humphries. He also landed two penalties.
Dlamini completed his brace early in the second half and another try by Pierre Uys gave the Shimlas a reasonably comfortable lead.
Wits replacement Gerswin Mouton went over for a try with two minutes left on the clock but a missed conversion by Humphries denied the team from Johannesburg a third straight victory.
FNB UFS Shimlas26 (14)– Tries: Kwezi Dlamini (2), NkokaNgobe, Pierre Uys. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (3).
FNB Wits 25 (20) – Tries: Dameon Venter, Christian Humphries, Gerswin Mouton. Conversations: Humphries (1). Penalties: Humphries (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Kwezi Dlamini Kwezi (UFS).
FNB UFS Shimlas: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Javier Farmer, 13 Nkoka Ngobe, 12 William Moffat, 11 Siviwe Zondani, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Hlumelo Klaas, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Lohan Potgieter, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen (captain), 5 Dylan Sjöblom, 4 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 3 Gerrit Viser, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 1 Johan Schutte.
FNB Wits: 15 LwandileMapuko, 14 Wian de Lange, 13 Luhle Matyolweni, 12 Setshaba Mokoena, 11 Azi Afrika, 10 Christian Humphries, 9 Kabelo Mokhethi, 8 Ziyanda Msipha, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Kyle van Eyssen, 4 Cal Smid, 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2 Dameon Venter, 1 Banele Mthenjane.
FNB UJ 43 FNB UCT 24
FNB UJ scored their first victory of this year’s tournament when they beat FNB UCT 43-24 in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Johannesburg.
The match got off to a cracking start with Prince Nkabinde scoring the home team’s first try. UJ continued to dominate with Tengimgene Likhayaalso crossing the try line.
The Ikey Tigers fought back with Alex Castle scoring a try from a driving maul. At halftime, UJ had the upper hand with a 14-10 lead.
The Orange Army continued their impressive play in the second half, at one point building up a ten-point cushion. UCT however fought back with back-to-back tries by Enos Ndiaoto levelthe scores at 24-24 with 20 minutes left on the clock.
UJ then switched to the highest gear with tries by Francois Pretorius and Mpho Kubheka while Viljoen added insult to injury with another penalty, securing a comprehensive victory.
FNB UJ 43 (14) – Tries: Prince Nkabinde, TengimgeneLikhaya, Buhle Qaba, Francois Pretorius, Mpho Kubheka. Conversions: Joshua Viljoen (5).Penalties: Viljoen (2).
FNB UCT IKEYS24 (10) – Tries: Alex Castle, Keagan Blanckenberg, Enos Ndiao . Conversions: Notokozo Makhaza (3). Penalties: Makhaza(1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Kelvin Kanenungo(UJ)
FNB UJ: 15 Malgas Rowan Hafeni, 14 Nkabinde Prince, 13 Radebe Nkondlokamthimkhulu, 12 Tyeda Indiphile, 11 Tengimgene Likhaya, 10 Viljoen Jonathan Joshua, 9 Kubheka Mpho Vincent, 7 Ncusane Ngwekazi Khanya, 8 Qaba Buhlebenkosi (Peach), 6 Kanenungo Kelvin, 5 Pretorius Francois Christiaan, 4 Bali Sinovuyo Sibabalwe, 3 Pohlmann Heiko Peter Eugene, 2 Osuagwu Darnell Jerry-Fred, 1 Kiewit Kayden Nicklo.
FNB UCT Ikeys: 15 Koevort Duran Ryan, 14 Louw Rethabile Donovan, 13 Boulle Joshua Michael, 12 Hendricks Lyle Victor, 10 Cross Justin Charles, 9 Moos Asad, 11 Makhaza Ntokozo Sibusiso, 8 MacLeod Smith Jason, 7 Ndiao Kyle Enos, 6 van der Walt Jac, 5 van Rhyn Johan, 4 Crous Reynhardt Wouter, 3 Glade Keagan, 2 Castle Alex A., 1WojiLuthando Solomon.
