FNB MATIES 46 FNB UP-TUKS 35
FNB Maties warded off a second-half comeback by FNB UP-Tuks to record a 46-35 victory in Stellenbosch, thus ending the defending champions’ hope of making it to the semi-finals of this year’s competition. It was their fifth consecutive defeat in 2023.
An early try by inside centre Waqar Solaan gave Maties a 7-0 lead after flyhalf and captain Jurie Matthee added the extras. The visitors struck back courtesy of a score by hooker Allister Williams and drew level after number 10 Walter Visser, brother of Springbok Sevens player Impi Visser, converted the try.
Matthee added another penalty before outside centre Grant de Jager intercepted a pass to run 70 metres for a point-of-origin try which made it 19-7. Matthee kept the scoreboard pressure with a conversion and a penalty to consolidate Maties’ hold on the match.
Wing Matthew Van Schalkwyk rounded off some superb interplay with De Jager and fullback Cade Croy for his try. Matthee’s conversion took the halftime score to 31-7 with the hosts looking to extract a measure of revenge for last year’s final loss against the visitors.
The second half was ignited with a moment of magic when Jacques Rousseau danced his way past the Tuks defenders to score in the corner for Maties.
There was a glimmer of hope for the defending champions when Zander Reynders, Zandre Kruger and Visser crossed the try-line. A penalty by Matthee and a late try by lock Simon Miller however extinguished any hopes of a victory for the visitors. Tuks had one last through of the dice with a consolation try by Bayanda Ngubane but it was a case of too little, too late.
FNB Maties 46 (31) – Tries: Waqar Solaan, Grant De Jager, Matthew Van Schalkwyk, Jacques Rousseau, Simon Miller. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (4). Penalties: Matthee (4)
FNB UP-Tuks 35 (7) – Tries: Allister Williams, Zander Reynders, Zandre Kruger, Walter Visser, Bayanda Ngubane. Conversions: Walter Visser (3), Clyde Lewis (1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Grant De Jager (Maties)
FNB Maties: 15 Croy Cade Martin, 14 Titus Beon, 13 De Jager Grant, 12 Solaan Waqar Bradwell, 11 Van Schalkwyk Matthew Emile, 10 Matthee Jurie Johannes, 9 Bursey Thomas Stephen, 8 Stemmet Hendrik Daniël, 7 Nel Adriaan Jacobus Nel, 6 Matanda Siyabonga, 5 Miller Simon, 4 Van Rhyn Marco, 3 Burton Moegammad Anmaar, 2 Ngubelanga Siyabonga, 1 Matonga Vernon Tadiwa.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Myeni Samkelo Andile, 14 Zenzile Ambesa, 13 Reynders Zander, 12 Daniels Lincoln Liam, 11 Lewis Clyde Alfurdo, 10 Visser Walter, 9 Cloete Rowan, 8 Schoonees Dian, 7 Gie Hilton, 6 Nkombua Justice Kabasele, 5 Meiring Dawid H. Lukas (Louis), 4 Mare Johannes Wilhelmus, 3 Coetzee Dian Stephan, 2 Williams Allister Noel, 1 Burger Ethan.
FNB NWU EAGLES 45 FNB CUT 28
FNB NWU Eagles maintained their position at the top of the log following a hard-fought 45-28 victory against FNB CUT at the Fanie du Toit Sportsground. Matthew Fortuin scored a brace of tries for the Eagles to continue their fine start to the campaign.
The Eagles, who were led by Vernon Paulo in the absence of Riaan Genis, took a 23-12 halftime lead following tries from Ntobeko Shezi, Vernon Paulo and Matthee Fortuin, with Zinedine Robinson successful with the conversions to give the home team the advantage. CUT responded with tries from Jacobus Cloete and Jandre de Beer.
The Eagles continued with their brilliant start to the game in the second half when Fortuin got his second try of the night to make it 32-12. CUT had to replace Ricoman Titus following an arm injury ten minutes into the second half, with Zac Bester coming on.
The visitors fought back with a try from Asekho Marubela and Matthew Sekele to try and make a comeback. A brilliant try from Aphelele Madaka however secured the win for NWU while CUT slipped from second to fourth on the log
FNB NWU Eagles 45 (23) – Tries: Ntobeko Shezi, Vernon Paulo, Aphelele Madaka, Matthew Fortuin (2). Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (4), Martin Venter (1). Penalties: Robinson (1), Venter (1).
FNB CUT 28 (12) – Tries: Jacobus Cloete, Jandre de Beer, Matthew Sekele, Asekho Marubela
Conversations: Tyler Sefoor (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Gustav Erlank (NWU)
FNB NWU Eagles: 15 Swanepoel Tino Santino , 14 Windvogel Keano Ricardo, 13 Pretorius Theunis Gerhardus, 12 Fortuin Matthew Luke, 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 Shezi Ntobeko Thabiso, 2 Paulo Vernon, 1 du Plessis Ruben.
FNB CUT: 15 Titus Ricoman, 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 Joubert Sarel Jacobus, 2 Drotske Tiaan, 1 Bessenger Jan Hendrik.
FNB UCT IKEYS 46 FNB WITS 19
What started as a gutsy encounter at a cold Green Mile Stadion in Cape Town, saw FNB UCT Ikeys demolish FNB Wits 46-19.
The Tigers laid the ground rules early on by showing positive intent with the ball in hand. Centre Tom Nell scored from a turnover with Ntokozo Makhaza successfully converting.
It didn't take long before Wits responded with a seven-pointer try courtesy of full-back Setshaba Mokoena. However, tries by Sipho Dyonase, Makhaza and Duran Koevort put the home side 34-7 in front at halftime.
The second half started on a high with the visitors trying to catch up when Azakhiwe Afrika crossed the try-line. UCT punched back with a try through Enos Ndiao, whose all-round play earned him the Player That Rocks award.
Wits showed hunger as Mark Synman added to the scoresheet with Gerswin Mouton adding the conversion.
Tom Dawson-Squibb’s charges were not done as substitute Rihaz Fredericks registered his name to the scoreboard with a try for a well-deserved victory.
FNB UCT 46 (34) – Tries: Tom Nell, Sipho Dyonase, Ntokozo Makhaza, Duran Koevort, Enos Ndiao, Rihaz Fredericks. Conversations: Makhaza (5)
FNB Wits 19 (7) – Tries: Setshaba Mokoena, Azakhiwe Afrika, Mark Snyman. Conversations: Gerswin Mouton (1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Enos Ndiao (UCT)
FNB UCT Ikeys: 15 Koevort Duran Ryan, 14 Davis Lezane, 13 Nel Thomas Philip, 12 Lamb Kyle Graeme, 11 Makhaza Ntokozo Sibusiso, 10 Hayes David Robert, 9 Ndudula Hlumelo, 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 Wits: 15 Mokoena Setshaba, 14 Lwandile Mapuko, 13 Mouton Gerswin, 12 Cloete Jason Lee, 11 Azi Afrika, 10 Mokhethi Kabelo, 9 Aucamp Wernich 8 Ziyanda Msipha, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Smid Cal, 4 Gouws Hendrik Theunis, 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2 Venter Dameon, 1 Banele Mthenjane.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 31 FNB UJ 30
FNB UFS Shimlas fought to the bitter end to edge out FNB UJ 31-30 in a humdinger in Bloemfontein. The match at Shimla Park had a lot of drama, including lights going out due to a total blackout in the City of Roses some 19 minutes into the game.
UJ opened the scoring with flanker Christiaan Pretorius going over for the first of his two tries, while Rowan Malgas converted. Minutes later, Shimlas struck back with hooker William Moffat dotting down with the try being converted by Litha Nkula.
Pretorius went over again to complete his brace, but once again the home side struck back immediately when Nkula flew over for his try.
And then the lights went out. After a couple of minutes in the darkness, the generators kicked in and the game resumed while the entire city was still in the dark.
With four minutes to play before the halftime break, Shimlas’ Siviwe Zondani scored the first of his two tries to hand his team a 23-14 lead at the break.
Ten minutes into the second period, Zondani completed his brace for the evening, but this time Nkula couldn’t add the extra two. He did however land a penalty which proved to be vital.
Tries by Prince Nkabinde and Kelvin Kanenungo for UJ made it a one-point game with 5 minutes to play. After the hooter, UJ were in for a chance with a 5-metre lineout, but they were penalised for holding the ball on the ground.
FNB UFS Shimlas 31 (23) – Tries: William Moffat, Litha Nkula, Siviwe Zondani (2). Conversions: Litha Nkula (2). Penalties: Nkula (1).
FNB UJ 30 (14) – Tries: Christiaan Pretorius (2), Prince Nkabinde, Kelvin Kanenungo. Conversions: Rowan Malgas (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Siviwe Zondani (UFS)
FNB UFS Shimlas: 15 Mabece Avuyile, 14 Zondani Siviwe, 13 Bester Zane, 12 Ngobe Nkoka Sydney Luvuyo, 11 Kunene Asanda Sihle, 10 Nkula Litha Siyasanga 9 Adams Chadd Gabby, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Liederman Tyreec Dean, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen (captain), 5 Dylan Sjöblom, 4 Viljoen Reinier Juan Martin, 3 Dos Ries Francisco, 2 Moffat William Johan, 1 Johan Schutte.
FNB UJ: 15 Cary David, 14 Nkabinde Prince, 13 Radebe Nkondlokamthimkhulu, 12 Tengimgene Likhaya, 11 Tengimgene Likhaya, 10 Malgas Rowan Hafeni, 9 Kubheka Mpho Vincent, 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.
