Defending champions NWU Eagles are continuing on their winning ways in the 2024 Varsity Cup following a drubbing of newcomers FNB UWC in round 2. In other matches, FNB Wits scored a solid victory over FNB CUT, FNB Shimlas travelled to beat FNB UJ and FNB Maties won the Cape derby against FNB UCT Ikeys.
FNB NWU 49 – 15 FNB UWC
FNB NWU Eagles continued on their unbeaten start to this year’s competition with a dominant performance against FNB UWC at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom.
At the start of the match, Conwill Conradie failed to capitalise with a penalty for UWC and minutes later Franco Marais opened the scoring for the Eagles following a lineout and driving maul. The home side showed dominance with tries by Keano Windvogel and Calvin Clack. The Eagles’ tight-head prop Ntobeko Shezi extended the lead for his side with a try with Zinedine Robinson converting to put them 30-0 in the lead at half-time.
In the second half, the home side lost Shaun-Christian Baxter, Chyle van Zyl and Tian van Zyl to the sin bin and momentum swang UWC’s way when Emile Silvis opened the scoring for his side. However, the home side showed why they’re champions with Windvogel scoring another try to make it 37-5.
Late tries by Carel Van Der Verwe and Ruben Swanepoel for UWC made up some ground. But NWU wasn’t done yet as Windvogel and Marvelous Mashimbyi crossed the try line again to seal an emphatic victory at home.
SCORERS:
FNB NWU 49 (30) - Tries: Calvin Clack, Keano Windvogel (2), Ntobeko Shezi, Shaun-Christian Baxter (2). Marvelous Mashimbyi. Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (5), Charles Williams.
FNB UWC 15 (0) - Tries: Emile Silvis, Carel Van Der Merwe, Ruben Swanepoel.
FNB Player That Rocks: Keano Windvogel (FNB NWU)
TEAMS
FNB NWU: Matome Molebogeng Manyama, Chyle Van Zyl, Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, Stephan Krugel, Franco Marais, Hennie du Randt, Tian Van Zyl, Calvin Clack, Aphelele Emihle Madaka, Zinedine Robinson, Naiden Jaarts, Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, Matthew Luke Fortuin, Keano Ricardo Windvogel, Shaun-Christian Baxter.
FNB UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Joshua Eras Eras, Keanuh Cameron Michaels, Michail Kasfikis, Carel Van der Merwe, Romuad Nsombamanya, Louan De Lange, Tyrone Farren Maritz, Conwill Brooklyn Conradie, Nhlamulo Emmanuel Shilubane, Hlomla Ncana, Bryan John Breda, Emile Silvis, Will Bradford Vraagom, Jean Jacques van Schalkwyk.
FNB MATIES 15 – 10 FNB UCT IKEYS
It was FNB Maties who walked away smiling after a gutsy win over UCT Ikeys at the Green Mile in Cape Town.
Facing heavy wind, the Ikey Tigers fought hard to stop the Maties pack who held the home side tight in their 22-metre area. Both sides showed gutsy performances as the wind continued to blow at the Green Mile, something that seemed to be the difference on the field with no scores to show after 15 minutes of play.
Seven minutes before half-time, the Maroon Machine finally took advantage as winger Matthew Emile van Schalkwyk ran through the Tigers’ wall to dive under the poles. The try came just a few minutes after flyhalf Juan Mostert slotted a penalty.
The Cape Winelands side took a comfortable 10-0 lead as the game headed to the end of the first stanza.
Ikeys Tigers winger Ntokozo Makhaza gave the home fans hope as he scored a penalty after Maties were penalised for being offside, taking the score to 10-3.
Maties extended their lead to 15-3 with nine minutes left courtesy of a try by loosehead prop Vernon Matongo.
Ikeys retaliated in the final minutes when Jonathan Roche scored a try and Makhaza converted.
SCORERS:
FNB MATIES 15 (10) - Tries: Matthew Emile van Schalkwyk, Vernon Matongo. Conversions: Juan Mostert. Penalties: Juan Mostert.
FNB UCT IKEYS 10 (0) - Tries: Jonathan Roche. Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza. Penalties: Ntokozo Makhaza.
FNB Player That Rocks: Mckyle Volmoer (FNB Maties)
TEAMS
FNB UCT Ikeys: Mhleli Khethuxolo Khuzwayo, Keagan Blanckenberg, Bryan Justin Le Roux, Enos Ndiao, Johan van Rhyn, Siphumezo Dyonase, Reynhardt Crous, Taariq Mohammed Kruger, Riaan Genis, Joshua Boulle, Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, Jonathan Roche, Rethabile Donovan Louw, Luke John Burger, Duran Ryan Koevort.
FNB Maties: Prince Rotondwa Mulea, Siyasanga Ngubelanga, Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, Matthys Jacobus Bernardus Kitshoff, Matthew Gray, Eric Chris Basson, Louw Nel, Roland Leonard van der Heever, Mckyle Volmoer, Juan Mostert, Matthew Emile Van Schalkwyk, Aydon Colin Topley, Hofmeyr Gideon Retief, Ryan Marcus Manuel, Louis Johannes du Preez.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 34 – 31 FNB UJ
FNB UJ fell to their second consecutive loss when they went down to the visiting FNB UFS Shimlas at the UJ Stadium in Johannesburg.
The Orange Army struck first through a try by Marius Coetzee after continued pressure.
The game was interrupted in the 11th minute when heavy rain forced the players off the field. Shortly after the game resumed Michael Annies broke through the UJ defensive line to give UFS a try as they levelled the score.
The Orange Army’s Prince Nkabinde broke the deadlock after overturned possession. Shimlas
responded within minutes when Pierre-Raymond Uys dived over behind a driving maul. The visitors managed to score back-to-back tries when Frank Dos Reis extended their lead just before the break leaving the home side trailing 12-15.
UJ came back stronger in the second half when a Likhona Finca try ensured they took a narrow two-point lead. Nkabinde scored his brace within minutes.
The 64th minute was the turning point of the game when Siyambuka Ningiza went over the try line to give Shimlas the lead. A try by Siviwe Zondani ensured the visitors walked away with maximum points.
The UJ bench was on the edge of their seats as Benjamin Moya’s try closed out the game, ensuring they got a bonus point in defeat.
SCORERS:
FNB UJ 31 (12) – Tries: Marius Coetzee, Prince Nkabinde (2), Likhona Finca, Benjamin Moya. Conversions: Rowan Malgas (2).
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 34 (15) – Tries: Michael Annies, Pierre Raymond Uys, Frank Dos Reis, Siyambuka Ningiza, Siviwe Zondani. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Prince Nkabinde (FNB UJ)
TEAMS:
FNB UJ: Roedolf Fouche Schoeman, Mauritz Swart, Heiko Peter Eugene Pohlmann, Tiaan Wessels, Marius Coetzee, Testimony Boluwatife Dodo, Philip Apea Adu, Kamohelo Rorisang Molefe, Kgothatso Sono, Rowan Malgas, Prince Nkabinde, Siphesihle Austin Nkabini, Meyer Kriel, Boldwin Hansen.
FNB UFS Shimlas: William Conley Pieterse, Liyema Mgwigwi, Riaan Jacobus van der Merwe, Pierre-Raymond Uys, Katlego Khumo Lobakeng, Cornelius Hermanus Smit Volschenk, Siyambuka Sobe Nakhane Ningiza, Kwezi Dlamini, Jandré Nel, Ethan SJ Wentzel, Siviwe Zondani, Gideon Jooste Nel, Zane Bester, Kirwin Curtley Du Preez, Michael Annies.
FNB WITS 34 – 17 FNB CUT
FNB Wits fought back from a half-time deficit to score their second victory of the season when they beat FNB CUT in front of an excited home crowd in Johannesburg.
The first half saw a slow start from both teams, as they tried to get used to the slightly wet conditions. Passes went astray and the visitors looked more comfortable early on. CUT winger Zachery Bester found himself with acres of space out wide, picking up a pass and racing to dot down within five minutes. CUT flyhalf Juan Smith was successful with the conversion but he exceeded his kicking time, and it was disallowed. He was on time with his first penalty though.
The hosts, after making a few attempts, were finally rewarded with fullback Setshaba Mokoena slotting a penalty to make it 3-8. Smith added two more penalties for CUT before Wits’ captain fantastic Cal Smid crossed over for a try. The men from the Free State led 14-8 at half-time.
The second half saw a different Wits running on to the pitch, scoring four tries in the process with Kabelo Mokhethi, Marno Grobbelaar, Kivon Chirwa and Setshaba Mokoena crossing the try line.
CUT looked somewhat stunned, failing to keep the Witsies at bay. The visitors did however manage to add three points to their tally, through the boot of Smith.
SCORERS:
FNB WITS 34 (8) - Tries: Cal Smid, Kabelo Mokhethi, Marno Grobbelaar, Kivon Chirwa, Setshaba Mokoena. Conversions: Setshaba Mokoena (3). Penalties: Setshaba Mokoena
FNB CUT 17 (14) - Tries: Zachery Bester. Penalties: Juan Smith (3).
FNB Player That Rocks: George Devenish (FNB Wits)
TEAMS
FNB Wits: Ronan Dutton, Marno Grobbelaar, Sibusiso Shongwe, George Lawson St Leger Devenish, Cal Smid, Kelvin Kanenungo, Dewet-Grant Fourie, Lindokuhle Ncusane, Mogamad Hassiem Pead, Kabelo Mokhethi, Kevon Nathan Simphiwe Chirwa, Mark Dilan Snyman, Liyema Matyolweni, Dustyn Matthew Holmes, Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena.
FNB CUT: Albertus Human Venter, Tokelo Oratile Ntaopane, Sisipho Nofuya, Asekho Phindile Marubelela, Kevin Strydom, Tjaart Jurie Van der Walt, Tsebano Edward Stemer, Jacobus Johannes Cloete, Triveno Swartz, Juan Arnold Smith, Zachery Bester, Septimus Dercksen, Liam Prinsloo, Adielson Gouveia, Natanael Young.
