Maties, Tuks, UJ and UFH through to FNB Varsity Cup Women semi-finals

FNB Varsity Cup Women Round 3 saw FNB Maties Women extend their winning streak with a hard-fought victory over FNB UP-Tuks in Stellenbosch on Friday. FNB UWC claimed a dramatic late win to seal first win over FNB UKZN Women in Bellville while defending champs FNB UFH had the last say against FNB UJ Women with a decisive performance. With the round robin stage complete the tournament moves to the business end where the top 4 teams will face-off in the semi-finals.

Semi-final fixtures:

Semi-final 1: FNB UFH vs FNB Tuks  - Friday 4 April, 3pm at Davidson Stadium

Semi-final 2: FNB Maties vs FNB UJ – Friday 4 April, 3pm at Danie Craven Stadium

Here's the round 3 matchday wrap.

FNB Maties Women 23-17 FNB Tuks Women

FNB Maties extended their winning streak under coach Aneesah Adams with a 23-17 victory over FNB UP-Tuks in an exciting FNB Varsity Cup Women’s match at the Danie Craven Stadium on Friday.

Maties got off to a strong start with Zelmari Pretorius scoring a try in the 8th minute after breaking through from 50 meters out, followed by a successful conversion from Anika Viljoen for a 9-0 lead.

FNB UP-Tuks responded quickly, with fullback Kwanga Majebe crossing the try line twice, including one just before the first strategy break, giving Tuks a 10-9 lead at halftime.

The second half saw a dramatic turnaround, as Maties winger Shanidine Bezuidenhout sprinted past the defense to score, putting Maties ahead 16-10. Tuks answered with a try from flanker Thandi Mokatse, and flyhalf Precious Tlaka’s successful conversion made it a one-point game.

Maties responded with their own flanker, Jenna Meyer, who barged over to score the decisive try, sealing a 23-17 victory for the home side.

Zelmari Pretorius was named Player that Rocks for her strong all-around performance, which included setting the tone early with her impressive point of origin try.

The hard running centre looked dangerous whenever she was in possession. She was not only potent on attack but was also rock solid on defence.

SCORERS

FNB Maties Women: (9) 23

Try: Zelmari Pretorius, Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Jenna Meyer

FNB UP Tuks Women: (10) 17

Tries: Kwanga Majebe (2), Thandi Mokatse

FNB Player that Rocks: Zelmari Pretorius (FNB Maties)

TEAMS:

FNB Maties Women: Erin Bond, Juan-Mari Du Plessis, Sesethu Ntamnani, Sarah Krone, Ziane Muller, Jenna Meyer, Stefney-Rose De Vries, Mijeane Fyer, Taliyah Bussack, Ankia Viljoen, Karabo Masilela, Zelmari Pretorius, Elizabeth Slabbert,  Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Kayleen Muggels

FNB UP Tuks Women: Nomzamo Nimorundsini, Aphiwe Masuku, Naki Thukutha, Mbali Ndlovu, Rethabile Kgatle, Thandi Mokatse, Gina Moya, Jess Mare, Erin Prins, Precious Tlaka, Amukelani Lisenga, Gugu Mncwabe, Lerato Tshabalala, Innocentia Kgosana, Kwanga Majebe.

FNB UJ Women 22-54 FNB UFH Women

FNB UFH Women produced a clinical performance to secure a 54-22 victory over FNB UJ Women in a match that saw UFH’s solid defense proving to be the deciding factors.

The hosts, FNB UJ Women, made a strong start, with Fatouma Yalcoue scoring an early try to give them a 5-0 lead. However, UFH quickly responded with Sindisiwe Mbonja cutting through the UJ defense for a well-worked try that shifted the momentum in their favor.

UFH’s clinical play continued as they built on their lead with tries from Siyolise Mbilase and Adaroa Philemina, who capitalised on gaps in the UJ defense to extend their advantage.

Despite UJ’s resilience, highlighted by Phophi Budzwa’s powerful run to score, UFH’s defense remained strong. UJ had moments where they could have capitalised but struggled to convert opportunities into points, allowing UFH to dominate the score board.

The visitors defensive line shut out UJ’s attacking efforts. In the second half, UFH wasted no time extending their lead further.

Inga Qongi’s powerful run early after the break added to their dominance. UJ showed some fight with tries, but it was not enough to catch up to UFH’s commanding lead.

In the end, it was UFH’s resilience in defense and clinical finishing that secure a victory.

SCORERS

FNB UJ Women: 22 (10)

Tries: Fatouma Yalcoue (2), Phophi Budzwa, Esther Ntanda.

FNB UFH Women: 54 (22)

 Tries: Sindisiwe Mbonia, Siyolise Mbilase, Adaroa Philemina (3), Inga Qongi (2), Thokozani Sikela.

FNB Player That Rocks: Lilitha Vakalisa (FNB UFH)

TEAMS

FNB UJ Women: Lethiwe Buthelezi, Phophi Budzwa, Vuyiswa Dlamini, Limamkele Duma, Sindiswa Ngwenya, Ntandoyenkosi Nhleko, Esona Sokani, Alutha Ngcezula, Fatouma Yalcoue, Siham Chtioui © Erica Ekeji, Mpumelelo Dlamini, Nonhle Mbatha, Thobile Msizazwe, Noxolo Magasela.

FNB UFH Women: Mila Wawa, Sibusisiwe Magxala, Eyam Ngalo, Lilitha Ngwenza, Masie Mathsngane, Thokozani Sikela, Aphiwe Nqana, Rose Haka, Sindisiwe, Mbonja, Pinkie Touto © Adaora Philemina, Lilitha Vakalisa, Siyolise Mbilase, Litha, Tofu, Inga Qongi.

FNB UWC Women 22-20 FNB UKZN Women

It took a penalty try with the time in the red for FNB UWC women to claim their first win of the FNB Varsity Cup women season, scrapping past FNB UKZN 22-20.

It was a match that was tightly contested from the get-go in Bellville with both teams scoring four tries apiece with neither side’s kickers having their kicking boots on.

The first time FNB UWC took the lead in the match was after 70 minutes was up on the clock, but they kept themselves in the contest through relentless defence.

FNB UKZN worked hard for each of their four tries, having to work through several phases in the FNB UWC 22m line before crossing the whitewash and at times were completely repelled, either driven back or held up over the tryline.

The match was not without its ill-discipline with no less than six yellow cards dished out with FNB UKZN claiming four of those, having three players sharing the pink chair at the time of the final whistle while FNB UWC had two of their own sitting there at different stages of the encounter.

The match was close at half-time with the score level at 10-10. FNB UKZN pulled ahead 20-10 and held that score with five minutes left in the encounter but a frantic last five minutes saw FNB UWC score under the posts, miss the conversation and then be awarded a penalty try to claim the victory.

SCORERS:

FNB UWC Women: 22 (10)

Tries: Iviwe Jonas, Nandile Mvandaba, Lithethaa Maqhude.

FNB UKZN: 22 (10)

Tries: Siphokuhle Mdletshe, Amanda Madlala, Zama Mbeje, Amanda Dladla.

TEAMS:

FNB UWC: Delon Van Wyk, Taylon Pieterse, Sange Makhwezela, Tshegofatso Malatje, Iviwe Jonas, Jada Davids, Akhona Nkosi, Lithethaa (V) Maqhude, Samukelisiwe Mjweni, Marli George, Sisipho Tshotsha, Abongwe Vilane, Amaarah Abrahams, Lee-Amber (C) Beukes, Nandile Mvandaba. Replacements: Unathi Tolbart, Sibulele Ndabaninzi, Siddeeqa Arries, Anothando Khatshwa, Kaylee Daniels, Taybah Johaar, Masingita Miyambo, Asthandile Bunge.

FNB UKZN: Sandulelo Nyawose, Nonduduzo Yengwa, Siphokuhle Mdletshe, Lulama Cele, Avela Gwala, Nomonde Mbanjwa, Moonlight Mathebula, Amanda Madlala, Nonhlanzeka Khuzwayo, Snethemba Mzimela, Mahlogonolo Nkoane, Senamile Molefe, Nosipho Mkhize, Athiphile Njiyela, Ziyanda Felicia Shazi. Replacements: Landelizwi Dlamini, Amanda Dladla, Philisiwe Bekwa, Kimberely Fynn, Sifanele Dube, Nontobeko Malinga,Asiphe Mokhadi, Zama Mbeje.

Semi-final fixtures:

Semi-final 1: FNB UFH vs FNB Tuks  - Friday 4 April, 3pm at Davidson Stadium

Semi-final 2: FNB Maties vs FNB UJ – Friday 4 April, 3pm at Danie Craven Stadium