FNB WITS 33 FNB UP-TUKS 21
FNB Wits did the unthinkable and relegated FNB UP-Tuks to the FNB Varsity Shield for the first time in the history of the competition when they beat the defending champions 33-21 in Johannesburg. The halftime score was 19-7.
The match got off to a great start for Wits when Setshaba Mokoena crossed the try line to open the scoring. The home team continued to dominate and after sustained pressure, Wian De Lange scored out wide. Tuks were struggling to keep up and Lindo Ncusane broke off the back of the scrum to score their third try.
The defending champions finally got on the scoreboard with a try from Bayanda Ngubane, but Wits responded immediately as Henk Gouws powered his way over the line to extend their lead. Tuks fought back with a try from Divan Venter. He scored his second in the last ten minutes of the match and it looked like Tuks may just escape the dreaded relegation zone.
However, a handling error led to a turnover and Banele Mthenjane sealed the win for Wits with a try late in the game.
FNB WITS 33 (19) – Tries: Setshaba Mokoena, Wian de Lange, Lindo Ncusane, Henk Gouws, Banele Mthenjane. Conversions: Gershwin Mouton (3).
FNB UP-TUKS 21 (7) – Tries: Bayanda Ngubane, Divan Venter (2).
Player That Rocks: Mokhethi Kabelo (Wits)
FNB Wits: 15 Lwandile Mapuko, 14 De Lange William Johannes, 13 Matyolweni Luhle, 12 Moekoena Setshaba, 11 Mouton Gershwin 10 Mokhethi Kabelo, 9 Aucamp Wernich 8 Ncusane Lindokuhle, 7 Smid Cal, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Lushozi Awethu Msizi, 4 Gouws Hendrik Theunis, 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2 Venter Dameon, 1 Banele Mthenjane.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Cyster Kyle Edward, 14 Myeni Samkelo Andile, 13 Reynders Zander, 12 Fourie Pierre Arno, 11 Zenzile Ambesa, 10 Lewis Clyde Alfurdo, 9 O’Connell Daimon, 8 Venter Divan, 7 Nkombua Justice Kabasele, 6 Schoonees Dian, 5 Meiring Dawid H. Lukas (Louis), 4 Mare Johannes Wilhelmus, 3 Coetzee Dian Stephan, 2 Williams Allister Noel, 1 Dlamini Bambolunye.
FNB NWU EAGLES 42 FNB UCT IKEYS 26
FNB NWU Eagles have secured a home semi-final with a convincing 42-26 victory over FNB UCT Ikeys in Cape Town.
The start of the first half did not produce much action, and it was only in the 28th minute that the visitors broke the deadlock through a try by scrumhalf Sylvester Hassien. Kyle Lamb and Duran Koevort’s tries took the Tigers into halftime with a 14-10 lead.
In the second half, the Eagles started cracking the whip, scoring two quick tries through Vernon Paulo and Naiden Jaarts. They crossed the try line two more times for a comfortable lead.
Tom Nel and Jac van der Walt went over for Ikeys but it was a case of too little, too late.
FNB NWU Shimlas 42 (10) – Tries: Sylvester Hassien, Vernon Paulo (2), Naiden Jaarts, Ruben du Plessis. Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (4). Penalties: Robinson (3).
FNB UCT Ikeys 26 (14) – Tries: Kyle Lamb, Duran Koevort, Tom Nel, Jac van der Walt. Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza (1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Chris Vermaak (NWU)
FNB UCT Ikeys: 15 Koevort Duran Ryan, 14 Louw Rethabile Donovan, 13 Lamb Kyle Graeme, 12 Hendricks Lyle Victor, 11 Makhaza Ntokozo Sibusiso, 10 Hayes David Robert, 9 Moos Asad, 8 MacLeod Smith Jason, 7 Ndiao Kyle Enos, 6 Dyonase Siphumezo, 5 van Rhyn Johan, 4 Crous Reynhardt Wouter, 3 Le Roux Bryan Justin, 2 Blanckenberg Keagan Jordan, 1 Woji Luthando Solomon.
FNB NWU Eagles: 15 Swanepoel Tino Santino , 14 Windvogel Keano Ricardo, 13 Pretorius Theunis Gerhardus, 12 Phatudi Isromr Seita, 11 Jaarts Naiden, 10 Robinson Zinedine, 9 Hassien Sylvester, 8 Erlank Gustav Zacharias, 7 Bertram Karl-Heinz Henlein, 6 Vermaak Chris, 5 Nel Wihan, 4 White Junior, 3 Swiegers Ruan, 2 Paulo Vernon, 1 du Plessis Ruben.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 68 FNB CUT 36
FNB UFS Shimlas kept their chances of reaching the playoffs in the Varsity Cup alive on Monday evening with a convincing 68-36 win over FNB CUT Ixias at Shimla Park.
The Shimlas turned in their most clinical display to date in 2023 to stun their city neighbours in a match that produced no less than 14 tries.
Eight-man Kwezi Dlamini, lock Dylan Sjöblom, hooker William Moffat, scrumhalf Chadd Adams and flanker Lourens Oosthuizen all crossed the whitewash to give Shimlas a 38-22 lead at halftime.
For the Ixias, flank Janco Cloete scored while captain Jandré de Beer dotted down for a brace in the first 40-minute period. Ten minutes into the second half Cloete crossed the try line again to complete his brace.
Tries by fullback AV Maceve, Oosthuizen, hooker Liyema Mgwigwi and Jooste Nel put the game out of reach for the Ixias. A try by replacement prop Mamello Moshoaliba served as nothing more than a consolation for the Ixias.
FNB UFS Shimlas 68 (38) – Tries: Kwezi Dlamini, William Moffat, Dylan Sjöblom, Chadd Adams, Lourens Oosthuizen (2), AV Maceve, Liyema Mgwigwi, Jooste Nel. Conversions: Litha Nkula (3), Ethan Wentzel (2). Penalties: Nkula (1).
FNB CUT 36 (22) – Tries: Janco Cloete (2), Jandre de Beer (2), Mamello Moshoaliba. Conversions: Tylor Sefoor (3). Penalties: Sefoor (1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Lourens Oosthuizen.
FNB UFS Shimlas: 15 Mabece Avuyile, 14 Annies Michael Jnr, 13 Bester Zane, 12 Nel Gideon Jooste, 11 Kunene Asanda Sihle, 10 Nkula Litha Siyasanga 9 Adams Chadd Gabby, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Mahlasi Thabang, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen (captain), 5 Dylan Sjöblom, 4 Uys Pierre-Raymond, 3 Dos Ries Francisco, 2 Moffat William Johan, 1 Johan Schutte.
FNB CUT: 15 Vergotine Devanito Lushan, 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 Augestyn Zran, 2 Drotske Tiaan, 1 Bessenger Jan Hendrik.
FNB UJ 49 FNB MATIES 42
FNB UJ secured a hard-fought 49-42 victory over FNB Maties in Johannesburg. The halftime score was 17-10 in favour of the home team.
UJ scored two tries within the first 20 minutes, with one being converted. The visitors
fought back hard and managed to score themselves after a series of phases inside their opponent's ’22. UJ crossed the try line for a third time to take a seven-point lead at halftime.
The Orange Army started the second half where they left things off after the first 40 minutes with a point-of-origin try. The conversion was good, and they extended their lead even further. Two more tries followed for the scoreboard to read 40-17.
Despite the Maroon Machine scoring a handful of late tries, UJ held on to secure a well-deserved victory in the end.
FNB UJ 47 (17) – Tries: Radebe Nkondlokamthimkhulu, Siphesihle Nkabini, Prince Nkabinde (2), Hlone Mputhi, Mpho Vincent Kubheka. Conversions: Rowan Malgas (5).
FNB Maties 38 (10) – Tries: Marais de Wet (2), Willem van den Heever, Marcqiewn Titus, Mckyle Volmoer, Jacques Rousseau. Conversions: Christiaan van Heerden-Smith (3).
Player That Rocks: Rowan Malgas (UJ)
FNB UJ: 15 Cary David, 14 Nkabinde Prince, 13 Nkabini Siphesihle, 12 Tengimgene Likhaya, 11 Radebe Nkondlokamthimkhulu, 10 Malgas Rowan Hafeni, 9 Sono Kghothatso, 8 Kanenungo Kelvin, 7 Pretorius Francois Christiaan, 6 Fourie Ricardo, 5 Apea-Adu Philip, 4 Qaba Buhlebenkosi, 3 Pohlmann Heiko Peter Eugene, 2 Osuagwu Darnell Jerry-Fred, 1 Kiewit Kayden Nicklo.
FNB Maties: 15 Rousseau Jacques Guillame, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 De Jager Grant, 12 Solaan Waqar Bradwell, 11 Van Schalkwyk Matthew Emile, 10 Croy Cade Martin, 9 Van Heerden-Smith Christiaan, 8 Marais De Wet, 7 Nel Adriaan Jacobus Nel, 6 Matanda Siyabonga, 5 Beukes Juan, 4 Kitshof Matthys, 3 Burton Moegammad Anmaar, 2 Ngubelanga Siyabonga, 1 Marais Gert Erasmus.
