The 2024 FNB Young Guns final (22 April) will be contested by FNB UFS Shimlas Young Guns and FNB NWU Eagles Young Guns after they respectively beat FNB Maties Young Guns and FNB UCT Ikeys Young Guns in the two semi-finals.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS YOUNG GUNS 39 – 17 FNB MATIES YOUNG GUNS
FNB UFS Shimlas Young Guns scored a convincing 39-17 win over FNB Maties Youngs in their semi-final clash in a wet and cold Bloemfontein.
The Shimlas YG played the conditions a lot better with smart kicking by flyhalf Shaun Ray turning the visitors from the Cape around on numerous occasions, putting pressure on them that led to mistakes.
The scoring was opened in the 11th minute when UFS fullback Gunter van Rensburg for his first try. He doubled the lead moments later after successfully chasing down a Ray grubber.
Hooker Bukhosi Dhlamini got in on the action with a try off the back of a lineout maul following a penalty.
Maties flanker Max du Pisani scored his team's first try just before the break, but the hosts held a 17-10 lead at half-time.
Giddy opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty to make it a ten-point game before flanker Stephanus Linde who had a couple of strong carries, powered over for try number four. Maynard Kleynhans extended the hosts’ lead with a try after some sustained pressure.
Shortly before the final whistle Maties centre Grant de Jager flew over for a try, but it was Henry Jonker who would have the final say for UFS after chasing down another clever kick and winning the foot race to dot down.
To seal the deal, Ramon Uys who is the brother of the Shimlas captain Pierre Uys, landed a cheeky conversion for the 39-17 victory.
SCORERS
FNB UFS Shimlas Young Guns 39 (17) - Tries: Gunter van Rensburg (2), Bikhosi Dhlamini, Stephanus Linde, Maynard Kleynhans, Henry Jonker. Conversions: Shaun Ray (2), Ramon Uys. Penalties: Bradley Giddy.
FNB Maties Young Guns 17 (10) – Tries: Max Du Pisani, Grant de Jager. Conversions: Eldridge Jack (2). Penalties: Eldridge Jack.
TEAMS
FNB UFS Shimlas Young Guns: Adriaan Johannes Van Niekerk, Bukhosi Dhlamini, Tebogo Junior Nkosi, Katlego Khumo Lobakeng, Marno Gray Stopforth, Stephanus Lourens Linde, Lasedi Kamogelo Jafta, Liam Chezney Shamburg, Christoffel Jacobus Visser, Bradley Giddy, Keehan Nahum Etson, Thomas Frederik Dreyer, Henry James Jonker, Benedictus Marion Claassen, Shaun Peter Ray.
FNB Maties Young Guns: Pedri De Wet, Fumani Success Chauke, Hendrik Hermanus Lubbe, Luke Mervyn Swartz, Slabbert Maartens, Max Du Pisani, Tjaart Roelf Joubert, Caleb Luke Dreyden, Wilhelm Dempers Manus Meyer, Eldridge Lionell Jack, Jean-Paul Matthew Malgas, Rynhardt Van Der Linden, Grant De Jager, Lothan Landore Love, Leighthan Ryan Julies.
FNB NWU EAGLES YOUNG GUNS 31 – 24 FNB UCT IKEYS YOUNG GUNS
FNB NWU Eagles Young Guns defeated FNB UCT Ikeys Young Guns 31-24 in a close semi-final in Potchefstroom.
Ikeys full back Monray Daars had the opportunity to open the score with a penalty. However, he would later get punished by Jamaine Dampies when the Eagles fullback scored a try from a brilliant solo run to give the home team the lead. The visitors were quick to respond with a try from close range by Ali-Amjad Osman-Bosch following a driving maul.
Zack Serfontein powered through the Ikeys defence to restore the lead for the Eagles while Michael Mostert landed the conversion. A scrum near the Eagles’ posts saw Aidan Norris scoring the five-pointer for Ikeys, with Daars converting. The score at half-time was 12-all.
Two brilliant tries by Eagles left-wing Angelo Daniels put the home side in control to make it 26-17. Hanro Venter added his name to the scoreboard to secure the victory that saw his team advance to the final.
SCORERS
FNB NWU Eagles Young Guns 31 (12) - Tries: Jamaine Dampies, Zack Serfontein, Angelo Daniels (2), Hanro Venter. Conversions: Michael Mostert (4).
FNB UCT Ikeys Young Guns 24 (12) – Tries: Ali-Amjad Osman-Bosch, Aidan Norris, Monray Daars. Conversions: Monray Daars (2), Shaywan Blankenberg.
TEAMS
FNB NWU Eagles Young Guns: Devon Franco Windvogel, Hanro Venter, Jason Daniel Oosthuizen, Johannes Hendrik Van Der Merwe, Michael Jonathan Devy, Juan Baard, Aqeel De Bruyn, Stephen Seth Taylor, Zack Serfontein, Micheal John Mostert, Angelo Daniels, Pieter Coetzer, Ashwen Franklin Damons, Senekane Mmuse, Jamiane Dampies.
FNB UCT Ikeys Young Guns: Ali-Amjad Osman-Bosch, Nicholas Van Schalkwyk, Alf Liam Holm, Emihle Jaxa, Conor Jack Gordon, Sisipo Mpaka, Thomas Francois De Lange, Aidan Daniel Norris, Cameron James Whitson, Olo Sopotela, Justin Damonze, Jamie Ricketts, Amahle Mazibuko, Sinengomso Brawen, Monray Daars.
