FNB UFS SHIMLAS 44 FNB MATIES 12
The visiting FNB UFS Shimlas put on a masterclass of attacking rugby as they thrashed the FNB Maties 44-12 and booked a home semi-final with the Maties sneaking in through the back door.
The men from Bloemfontein became the first Shimlas side to beat the Maroon Machine in Stellenbosch, the previous best being a 13-13 drawback in 2014. They joined the list of six teams who have managed to record a win in Matieland, something that has only happened eight times since 2008.
The first half saw the home side score tries courtesy of winger Marcqiewn Titus and centre Waqar Solaan. The momentum then swung the way of the visitors courtesy of two POR tries, first by scrumhalf Jandré Nel before captain and flanker Thabang Mahlasi scored to see his team take the halftime lead at 18-12. The home team where their own worst enemies as flanker Siya Matanda and reserve hooker Siya Ngubelanga were both shown cards by the referee.
After the break, it was all Shimlas as flanker Lourens Oosthuizen scored a brace courtesy of some strong forward play before winger Siviwe Zondani showed some serious gas and footballing skills to score in the corner. The final nail in the coffin saw replacement Chadd Adams dance his way past the Maties’ defence to make it 44-12, which made it 26 unanswered points in the second half.
FNB Maties 12 (12) – Tries: Marcqiewn Titus, Waqar Solaan. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (1).
FNB UFS Shimlas 44 (18) – Tries: Jandré Nel, Thabang Mahlasi, Lourens Oosthuizen (2), Siviwe Zondani, Chadd Adams. Conversions: Litha Nkula (1), Ethan Wentzel (3).
FNB Player That Rocks: Lourens Oosthuizen (UFS)
FNB Maties: 15 Croy Cade Martin, 14 Burger Luke John, 13 Topley Aydon Colin, 12 Solaan Waqar Bradwell, 11 Titus Marcqiewn Beon, 10 Matthee Jurie Johannes, 9 Volmoer Mckyle, 8 Basson Eric Chris, 7 Nel Louw Adriaan Jacobus, 6 Matanda Siyabonga, 5 Van Rhyn Marco, 4 Kitshof Matthys, 3 Burton Moegammad Anmaar, 2 Van den Heever Willem Jacobus, 1 Matongo Vernon Tadiwa.
FNB UFS Shimlas: 15 Mabece Avuyile, 14 Zondani Siviwe, 13 Annies Michael Jnr Kurt, 12 Ngobe Nkoka Sydney Luvuyo, 11 Kunene Asanda Sihle, 10 Nkula Litha Siyasanga, 9 Nel Jandre, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Mahlasi Thabang, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen (captain), 5 Dylan Sjöblom, 4 Uys Pierre-Raymond, 3 Dos Reis Francisco, 2 Moffat William John, 1 Johan Schutte.
FNB UCT IKEYS 79 FNB CUT IXIAS 31
FNB CUT Ixias’ 2023 Varsity Cup campaign came to a grinding halt as a rampant FNB UCT Ikeys beat them 79-31 at CUT Park in Bloemfontein.
The third straight defeat ended the Ixias’ chances of making the semi-finals, and now they are facing the prospect of having to play in a promotion-relegation match. Ikeys in turn secured their spot in the top four.
The Ikeys opened the scoring with scrumhalf Asad Moos darting over for an unconverted try in the 11th minute. Some ten minutes later the Ixias finally got on the board with winger Adielson Gouveia going over in the corner for a try that was also unconverted.
Outside centre Josh Boulle and lock Reynhardt Crous each managed to dot down to hand the visitors from the Mother City a 19-5 lead at the halftime break.
After the interval, the Ikeys opened the floodgates in Bloemfontein and they showed no mercy as Enos Ndiao, Jac van der Walt and Rihaz Fredericks all scored. Lezane Davis and Sibusiso Makhaza each crossed for a brace of tries, while referee Ruhan Meiring also awarded the visitors a penalty try.
Tries by Ulrich Stander, Tiaan Drotskie and Sisipho Nofuya for CUT served as nothing more than a consolation and the wind was knocked out of their sails.
FNB CUT Ixias 31 (5)– Tries: Adielson Gouveia, Ulrich Stander, Tiaan Drotskie, Sisipho Nofuya. Conversions: Xavier Swartbooi (3)
FNB UCT Ikeys 79 (19) – Tries: Asad Moos, Josh Boulle, Reynhardt Crous, Enos Ndiao, Jac van der Walt, Rihaz Fredericks, Lezane Davis (2), Sibusiso Makhaza (2), Penalty Try. Conversions: Sibusiso Makhaza (6)
FNB Player That Rocks: David Hayes (UCT)
FNB CUT: 15 Vergotine Devanito Lushan, 14 Gouveia Adielson Gouveia, 13 Bester Zac, 12 de Beer Jandré, 11 Malumane Tsepo Siphosethu, 10 Brand Floris J Jacobus, 9 Swartbooi Xavier Alister, 8 Venter Jacobus Daniel, 7 Stander Ulrich Stephan, 6 Cloete Jacobus Johannes, 5 Sekele Matthew M. Maboe, 4 Marubelela Asekho Phindile, 3 Joubert Sarel Jacobs, 2 Drotske Tiaan, 1 Moshoaliba Mamello.
FNB UCT Ikeys: 15 Koevort Duran, 14 Louw Rethabile Donovan, 13 Boulle Joshua Michael, 12 Lamb Kyle Grame, 11 Makhaza Ntokozo Sibusiso, 10 Hayes David Robert, 9 Moos Asad, 8 Delport Laro, 7 Ndiao Kyle Enos, 6 Dyonase Siphumezo, 5 Van der Westhuizen George, 4 Crous Reynhardt Wouter, 3 Le Roux Bryan Justin, 2 Blanckenberg Keagan Jordan, 1 Woji Luthando Solomon.
FNB UJ 38 FNB UP-TUKS 31
FNB UJ escaped the dreaded promotion-relegation zone with a 38-31 victory over FNB UP-Tuks in Pretoria. For the defending champions, it was a disappointing end to a dreadful season, finishing bottom of the log with no victories.
The home side got off to a blazing start when Andre Van der Merwe dotted down from a quick lineout and driving maul. Rowan Cloete’s conversion and a penalty put Tuks 10-0 in front within the first 10 minutes of the match.
UJ responded immediately with a counterattack that delivered back-to-back tries by Nkondlokamthimkhulu Radebe and Kelvin Kanenungo. Flyhalf Rowan Malgas registered was successful with the conversions. Tuks reduced the deficit to four points through Dian Schoonees in the 28th minute again using their solid forward pack off a driving maul. Pressure piled for Tuks as their skipper was stretched out due to injury. Prince Nkabinde scored the Orange Army’s fourth try just before halftime to take the score to 26-15.
UJ returned from the break to continue their dominance over the home side. A dazzling intercept from Likhaya Tengimgene from his half led to Nkabinde’s for his second try.
Tuks crossed the try line late in the second half through Hilton Gie and Ambesa Zenzile with Clyde Lewis and Chad-Lee Valentine booting the conversions. UJ responded with a penalty from Jonathan Viljoen to seal the victory and escape the relegation zone.
FNB UP-Tuks 31 (15) – Tries: Andre Van der Merwe, Dian Schoonees, Hilton Gie, Ambesa Zenzile. Conversions: Rowan Cloete (1) Chad-Lee Valentine (1), Clyde Lewis (1). Penalties: Rowan Cloete (1).
FNB UJ 38 (26) – Tries: Nkondlokamthimkhulu Radebe, Kelvin Kanenungo, Rowan Malgas, Prince Nkabinde (2). Conversions: Rowan Malgas (4). Penalties: Jonathan Viljoen (1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Ricardo Fourie (UJ)
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Lewis Clyde Alfrudo, Myeni Samkelo Andile, 13 Reynders Zander, 12 Daniels Lincoln Liam, 11 Kruger Zandre, 10 Cloete Rowan, 9 Valentine Chad-lee, 8 Venter Divan, 7 Schoonees Dian, 6 Gie Hilton, 5 Nkombua Justice Kabasele, 4 Meiring Dawid, 3 Geldenhuys Werner, 2 Williams Allister Noel, 1 Van der Merwe Andre
FNB UJ: 15 David Cary, 14 Nkabinde Prince, 13 Radebe Nkondlokamthimbkhulu, 12 Likhaya Tengimgene 11 Liqhayiya Gantsho, T 10 Rowan Malgas, 9 Khubheka Mpho Vincent, 8 Kelvin Tafirenyika Kanenungo 7 Pretorius Francois Christiaan, 6 Ricardo Fourie 5 Apea-Adu Philip, 4 Buhlebenkosi Qaba, 3 Pohlmann Heiko Peter Eugene, 2 Osuagwu Darnell Jerry-Fred, 1 Kiewit Kayden Nicklo.
FNB NWU EAGLES 36 FNB WITS 3
Log leaders FNB NWU Eagles snuffed any hopes FNB Wits had of qualifying for the semi-finals with a 36-3 victory in Johannesburg. The half-time score was 17-3.
Kick-off for the match was at 19:00 but the final whistle only blew at 23:15 as the players were forced from the field due to bad weather and heavy lightning strikes.
FNB Wits 3 (3) – Penalties: Gerswin Mouton
FNB NWU Eagles 36 (17) – Tries: Ruan Swiegers, Calvin Clack, Tino Swanepoel, Matthew Fortuin. Conversions: Martin Venter (3). Penalties: Martin Venter
FNB Player That Rocks: Martin Venter (NWU)
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 Msipha Ziyanda Golden, 7 Ncusane Lindokuhle, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Smid Cal, 4 Gouws Hendrick Theunis, 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2 Venter DameonM 1 Banele Mthenjane.
FNB NWU Eagles: 15 Swanepoel Tino Santino , 14 Roulston Sean Michale, 13 Keevy Brandon, 12 Fortuin Matthew Luke, 11 Jaarts Naiden, 10 Venter Martin, 9 Madaka Aphelele, 8 Clack Calvin, 7 De Beer Jandre, 6 Vermaak Chris, 5 Krugel Stephan, 4 Ngobeni Miyelani, 3 Swiegers Ruan, S 2 Van Zyl Chyle, 1 Jansen Jason.
Semi-final fixtures HERE.
