Tuks clutch to remain unbeaten after FNB Varsity Cup Women round 4

FNB UP-Tuks Women staged a strong comeback to edge Impi 27-26, maintaining their unbeaten run in the FNB Varsity Cup Women. The Orange Army produced a dominant second-half performance to dismantle FNB Maties Women 42-7 at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. Meanwhile, at UWC Stadium, FNB UWC delivered a composed and disciplined display to secure a 14-0 victory over FNB UFH Women.

FNB Maties Women 7-42 FNB UJ Women

FNB Maties Women hosted FNB UJ Women in the penultimate round of the FNB Varsity Cup Women with both sides still in the hunt for a semi-final spot.

Stellies came into the clash hoping to avoid a third successive home defeat, in search of their first victory of the season. The Orange Army, meanwhile, were full of confidence after picking up their first win over FNB UKZN Women in Round Four.

The visiting side started brightest to open the scoring inside five minutes as Alutha Ngcezula caught the Maties defense napping with a quick tap and go from 5 metres out. Just four minutes later and the visitors crossed the whitewash courtesy Hlobisile Mbatha. UJ made a scrum set piece count from 5m out, moving the ball through the hands, allowing Mbatha go over in the corner.

FNB UJ Women picked up a yellow card just before the break and Maties took full advantage of that to kick off the second half. Palesa Matee got her side back in the game after breaching the defense inside the 22 with Courtney Hickson adding the extra two points, making it a three-point game.

Momentum swung back and forth before FNB UJ Women turned up the heat in Stellenbosch a few minutes before the hour mark. Amber Howell scored back-to-back tries with her second coming from inside her own half for the game’s first Point of Origin try. Howell picked up the ball in her own half and broke the Maties defense, showing some real pace and determination.

That seven-pointer opened the floodgates as the women from Johannesburg ran in two more seven-point scores. Speedy winger, Boitumelo Motshoane, stepped her way through a few tackles to fly down the left wing and dot down under the posts. Erica Ekeji was next on the score sheet as she picked up a loose ball while the hosts were on the attack to seal the result for the visitors.

SCORERS

FNB Maties Women: (0) 7

Tries: Palesa Matee

FNB UJ Women: (10) 42

Tries: Alutha Ngcezula, Hlobisile Mbatha, Amber Howell X2, Boitumelo Motshoane, Erica Ekeji.

FNB Player of the Match: Boitumelo Motshoane (FNB UJ Women) 

TEAMS

FNB Maties Women: Coby Mentoor, Sesethu Dumke (C), Naledi Mokhele, Catherine Coetzee, Sarah Krone, Gabby-Lee Davids, Khanyisile Mpingane, Palesa Matee, Mijean Fryer, Jenna Meyer, Ilze Hattingh, Courtney Hickson, Tiana Van Wyk, Charmein Thopola, Janine Amutenja, Catherine Barton, Sasha Kruger, Confidence Ramonyatse.

FNB UJ Women: Lethiwe Buthelezi, Nomcebo Mchunu, Alutha Ngcezula, Sphilile Sigwaza, Sindiswa Ngwenya, Ntandoyenkosi Nhleko, Erin Barrett, Nyashadzashe Gongangombe, Thembelihle Risper Mgwenya, Siham Chtioui (C), Boitumelo Motshoane, Sinoyolo Nqinekile, Thabisile Zungu, Chinemrem Soronnadi, Hlobisile Mbatha, Lebo Mametja, Vuyiswa Dlamini, Limamkele Duma, Amber Howell, Siyanda Mtsweni, Babalwa Nkomo, Sande Ndandani, Erica Ekeji.

FNB UWC Women 14-0 FNB UFH Women

FNB UWC delivered a composed and disciplined performance to secure a 14-0 victory over FNB UFH in their FNB Varsity Cup Women at UWC Stadium, with all the points coming in a decisive first half display. 

The opening exchanges saw both teams’ showing strong intent, testing each other’s defensive structures without managing to convert opportunities into points, reflecting a tightly contested start.

The breakthrough came in when FNB UWC’s Ivanche Gerritsen crossed the line after sustained attack pressure from the Caracals. The successful conversion handed the host a lead and shifted momentum firmly in their favour. 

FNB UWC Women capitalised on this momentum soon after, with fullback, Nandile Mvandaba finishing off a well-executed point of origin try. Although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful the hosts extended their lead heading into halftime. 

The second half proved to be a more defensive affair, despite both teams continuing to show intent, neither side was able to breakthrough for additional points. 

FNB UWC maintained territorial control and defensive solidity, effectively shutting out any comeback attempts from the Blues. 

At the final whistle, FNB UWC walked away with a 14-0 win built on an efficient first half performance and a resolute defensive effort in the second half.

SCORERS

FNB UWC Women: (0) 14

Tries: Ivanche Gerritsen, Nandile Mvandaba (POR)

FNB UFH Women: (0) 0

FNB Player of the Match: Ivanche Gerritsen (FNB UWC)

TEAMS

FNB UWC Women: Sange Makhwezela; Anathi Mkive; Jessica Mare; Mivuyo Pawuli; Ivanche Gerritsen; Samukelisiwe Mjweni; Yanelisa Plaatjie; Akhona Nkosi; Fatouma Yalcoune; Gemma Thoma; Davedine March; Abongwe Vilane; Ronecia Gordon; Saadiqha Corbett; Nandile Mvandaba.

FNB UFH Women: Mila Wawa; Aphiwe Nqana; Eyam Ngalo; Siphelele Dlamini; Masie Mathangane; Thokozani Sikela; Simamnkele Jolingana; Rose Haka; Sinekhaya Tywaleni; Inga Qogi; Cwenga Joni; Lilitha Vakalisa; Siphokuhle Vakele; Siyolise Mbilase; Litha Tofu.

FNB UP-Tuks Women 27-26 FNB UKZN Women

FNB Tuks Women fight back from behind to secure a 27-26 victory over Impi to remain unbeaten this season. 

Log leader UP-Tuks Women welcomed ambitious UKZN Women in the penultimate round of the FNB Varsity Cup Women. The Stripe Generation looking to remain unbeaten at the summit while the visitors urging for the second place. 

UKZN pulled an impressive opening stanza keeping Tuks at bay and heading to the break with a 9-point cushion. The clash was no short of action with what started like it would be a walk in the park for the home side. 

Tuks lived up to expectations and struck first through the on-form Lidene Kruger. The on-form winger crossed over in the corner to hand Tuks early. Impi fought hard and responded immediately stealing the lead from Tuks thanks to tries from Nonduduzo Yengwa and Charmaine Dimpho Mogashoa. 

Candice De Wet with a slick break that saw Nomzamo Nimorundsini displaying a powerful carry to level matters for Tuks. Impi regained their lead to take a 9-point lead into the break courtesy of POR try from Mogashoa.

Bokamoso Mokali added more points on the score board as the visitors extended their lead early in the second half. Tuks responded with brace from Kwanga Majebe reducing the deficit to only two points. 

Abigail de Jager winning it in the last minute from the tee as the Stripe steal the show from Impi and remain unbeaten.  

SCORERS

FNB UP-Tuks Women: (12) 27

Tries: Lidene Kruger, Nomzamo Nimorundsini, Kwanga Majebe X2

FNB UKZN Women: (21) 26

Tries: Nonduduzo Yengwa, Charmaine Dimpho Mogashoa X2, Bokamoso Mokali.

FNB Player of the Match: Thandi Mokatse (FNB UP-Tuks Women)

TEAMS

FNB Tuks Women: Nomzamo Nimorundsini, Aphiwe Masuku, Ox Xholi, Itumeleng Malala, Mbali Ndlovu ©, Thandi Mokatse, Candice De Wet, Gugu Mncwabe, Georgia-lee Lewis, Precious Tlaka, Anele Mgwazela, Lerato Tshabalala, Abigail de Jager, Lidene Kruger, Kwanga Majebe.

FNB UKZN Women: Sandulelo Nyawose, Nonduduzo Yengwa, Siphokuhle Mdletshe, Zama Mbeje, Kimberely Fynn, Athiphile Njiyela, Avela Gwala, Hlekane Baloyi, Asanda Mnyandu, Snethemba Mzimela ©, Charmaine Dimpho Mogashoa, Teddy Gatyana, Bokamoso Mokali, Mahlogonolo Nkoane, Sphesihle Fihlela.