In the first-ever FNB Varsity Cup Women’s match, FNB Maties scored 11 tries en route to a 63-5 demolition of visiting FNB UKZN in Stellenbosch.
They will now take on FNB UFH in the one semi-final on Thursday 6 April while FNB UP-Tuks and FNB UJ will contest the other semi-final on Monday 3 April. The final is set for Thursday 13 April.
It didn’t take long for Maties to open their account as fullback Danelle van Zyl scored two quick tries. UKZN then kept the ball tight for a few phases and captain Nomonde Hope Mbanjwa forced her way over the try line to narrow the gap.
Unfortunately for the visitors from Durban, this seemed to spur on the Maroon Machine as tighthead Janke Oosthuizen channelled her inner Richard Bands as she ran beautifully down the touchline to score in the corner.
Maties then began shifting gears, playing with more composure and increasing the pressure on the UKZN defence. The fourth try was courtesy of winger Kayleen Muggels, who rounded off a superb passage of play in which nearly the whole team handled the ball at some stage.
The rest of the half went past in a bit of a lull before Ropah Madyah showed her skills and pace to score to make the halftime score 27-5 for the hosts.
The second half was a breathless affair with Madyah going over for her brace courtesy of a great pass from her centre partner Augustyn. Maties flyhalf Lara Schats sold a dummy on her way to her try before Elme Kruger ran the length of the field to score under the posts, converting her try.
Van Zyl grabbed her hat trick and even managed to add a fourth try after the strategy break with Madyah also earning a hattrick courtesy of a massive handoff on the way to her superb score.
Kruger was deservedly awarded the Player That Rocks and was a standout player, magnificently assisted by her centres Augustyn and Madyah.
FNB MATIES 63 (27)– Tries: Danelle van Zyl (4), Ropah Madyah (3), Janke Oosthuizen, Kayleen Muggels, Elme Kruger, Lara Schats. Conversions: Kruger (4).
FNB UKZN 5 (5) – Tries: Nomonde Hope Mbanjwa.
FNB Player That Rocks: Elme Kruger (Maties).
by Dorfling Terblanche
