The 2024 FNB Varsity Cup will be decided in Bloemfontein on Monday 22 April when FNB UFS Shimlas host FNB UCT Ikeys in this year’s final. Ikeys produced a sensational performance to beat defending champions FNB NWU Eagles in their semi-final while Shimlas were equally impressive in their victory over FNB Maties in the other semi-final.
FNB UCT IKEYS 32 – 18 FNB NWU EAGLES
FNB UCT Ikeys saw off FNB NWU Eagles 32-18 in a thrilling encounter at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom.
Ikeys began the game in a dominant fashion with left wing Ntokozo Makhaza landing a penalty in the first five minutes. A drop goal by the Eagles’ Zinedine Robinson made it even before Ntokozo Makhaza scored another penalty to restore the lead for the visitors.
Tian Van Zyl scored the first try of the game to give the Eagles the lead for the first time in the game. Duran Koevort then responded for the Ikeys with a try before another Makhaza penalty handed UCT a 14-8 lead at half-time.
The visitors began the second period in the same manner with Koevort’s second try and yet another penalty by Makhaza. Mpho Kubheka reduced the deficit with a try for NWU moments after coming on.
A brilliant run by Rethabile Louw saw him distributing to Mika Schubert who scored in the corner for Ikeys. Calvin Clark scored a try in the dying minutes of the game for the Eagles but it was too late as yet another penalty by Makhaza sealed an emphatic victory for UCT.
SCORERS
FNB UCT Ikeys 32 (14) – Tries: Duran Koevort (2), Mika Schubert. Penalties: Ntokozo Makhaza (5).
FNB NWU Eagles 18 (8) - Tries: Tian van Zyl, Mpho Kubheka, Calvin Clack. Drop Goal: Zinedine Robinson.
FNB Player That Rocks: Reynhardt Crous (FNB UCT Ikeys)
TEAMS
FNB UCT Ikeys: Luthando Solomon Woji, Keagan Jordan Blanckenberg, John Kelly Ifechukwu Okonkwo, Reynhardt Wouter Crous, Johan Van Rhyn, Siphumezo Dyonase, Taariq Mohammed Kruger, Laro Delport, Asad Moos, Alexander Vermeulen, Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, Jonathan Roche, Joshua Michael Boulle, Rethabile Donovan Louw, Duran Ryan Koevort.
FNB NWU Eagles: Matome Molebogeng Manyama, Chyle Van Zyl, Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, Stephan Krugel, Franco Marais, Hennie Du Randt, Tian Van Zyl, Marvelous Mashimbyi, Aphelele Emihle Madaka, Zinedine Robinson, Naiden Jaarts, Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, Matthew Luke Fortuin, Joubert Schoeman, Luan Jacobus Van Der Walt.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 38 – 24 FNB MATIES
FNB UFS Shimlas scored a convincing 38-24 win over FNB Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
The visitors from Bloemfontein were more accurate in their execution by outscoring the home side by five tries to four in ideal weather conditions.
UFS dominated the first quarter of the game with their forwards and backs combining well to score two tries within the first 20 minutes of the game. The first was a point-of-origin try when fleet-footed fullback Michael Annies crossed over in the corner after 15 minutes. Four minutes later left wing Asanda Kunene crossed over in the opposite corner to give his side a 12-0 lead.
Maties coach Kabama Floors had some harsh words to say at the strategy break after 20 minutes. The home side's forwards started to assert themselves up front. After a few driving mauls, big lock forward Matthys Kitshoff drove over for Maties first five-pointer. Flyhalf Juan Mostert added the extras to reduce the deficit to 12-7 in favour of the visitors at half-time.
Maties immediately hit back from the kick-off after a sniping break by centre Aydon Topley who floated the ball into the hand of left-wing Ezekiel Ngobeni who crossed for the home side's second try. Mostert slotted the conversion from the touchline to narrow the score to 15-12. Shimlas winger Kunene then showed his pace by crossing over for his second with Wentzel coolly slotting the conversion to give his side a 22-12 lead.
The visitors started to show their dominance after the strategy break when replacement Cornelius Volschenk sliced through the middle of the Maties defence to score another try which was converted by Wentzel to stretch the lead to 29-12.
Maties showed character by fighting back through an Aydon Topley try. crossed over in the corner.
In the final 10 minutes, the Maroon Machine went into overdrive sensing the time starting to run out. They had no option but to throw the ball around. UFS outside centre Zane Bester intercepted the ball against the run of play and ran the length of the field to score a converted try to make the score 38-17 in favour of the visitors from Bloemfontein. Maties scored a consolation try by replacement Ammaar Burton in the dying minutes to make the final score 38-24.
SCORERS
FNB UFS Shimlas 38 (12) - Tries: Michael Annies, Asanda Kunene (2), Cornelius Volschenk, Zane Bester. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2). Penalties: Ethan Wentzel.
FNB Maties 24 (7) – Tries: Matthys Kitshoff, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Aydon Topley, Ammaar Burton. Conversions: Juan Mostert (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Asanda Kunene (FNB UFS Shimlas)
TEAMS
FNB UFS Shimlas: Ntokozo Hlophe, Liyema Mgwigwi, Francisco Dos Reis, Reinier Juan Martin Viljoen, John Raymond Stopforth, Sobe Siyambuka Nakhane Ningiza, Pierre-Raymond Freddie Uys, Kwezi Dlamini, Jandre Nel, Ethan SJ Wentzel, Asanda Sihle Kunene, Gideon Jooste Nel, Zane Bester, Siviwe Zondani, Michael Jnr Kurt Annies.
FNB Maties: Prince Rotondwa Mulea, Siyasanga Ngubelanga, Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, Matthys Jacobus Bernardus Kitshoff, Matthew Andrew Gray, Fortune Ntokozo Mpofu, Jacobus Adriaan Louw Nel, Dewet Marais, McKyle Volmoer, Juan Mostert, Ezekiel Mzamane Ngobeni, Aydon Colin Topley, Ryan Marcus Manuel, Louis Johannes Du Preez, Hofmeyr Gideon Retief.
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