FNB UFS Shimlas dug deep for a well-earned victory at home over defending champions FNB NWU Eagles in round three of the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup. Wet weather prevailed in the Western Cape where FNB Maties ran out victors over FNB Wits, FNB UCT Ikeys beat FNB UJ and FNB CUT handed FNB UWC their third straight defeat.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 35 – 26 FNB NWU EAGLES
FNB UFS Shimlas made it back-to-back wins by beating their big rivals FNB NWU Eagles 35-26 in Bloemfontein. This was thanks to a last-second try by the replacement flanker, Henri van Heerden.
Shimlas took the lead in the 8th minute with the hard-working captain and lock, Pierre Uys, using his power to cross the line for a converted try. The inspirational Kwezi Dlamini doubled the lead for the home team following sustained pressure after a lineout.
Flanker Siyambuka Ningiza rounded off a stunning point of origin try, which came from a brilliant cross-field kick by Shimla's flyhalf Ethan Wentzel as they raced to a 21-0 lead. Eagles hooker Chyle van Zyl managed to score for the visitors on the stroke of half-time following a strong lineout maul from a penalty.
It took 20 minutes for the points to be scored in the second half and that came via NWU tighthead prop, Ntobeko Shezi. Shimlas struck back minutes later through their winger, Siviwe Zondani.
Tries by Mpho Kubheka and Shaun-Christian Baxter saw the Eagles draw level at 26-26, but it was Van Heerden who stole the show with a stunning point-of-origin try to seal the victory for Shimlas.
SCORERS
FNB UFS Shimlas 35 (21) - Tries: Pierre Uys, Kwezi Dlamini, Siyambuka Ningiza, Siviwe Zondani, Henri van Heerden. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (3)
FNB NWU Eagles 26 (5) - Tries: Chyle van Zyl, Ntobeko Shezi, Mpho Kubheka, Shaun-Christian Baxter Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (3).
FNB Player That Rocks: Jandré Nel (FNB UFS Shimlas)
FNB UFS Shimlas: Ntokozo Hlophe, Liyema Mgwigwi, Riaan Jacobus van der Merwe, Pierre-Raymond Uys, Reinier Viljoen, Cornelius Hermanus Smit Volschenk, Siyambuka Sobe Nakhane Ningiza, Kwezi Dlamini, Jandré Nel, Ethan SJ Wentzel, Asanda Sihle Kunene, Gideon Jooste Nel, Zane Bester, Siviwe Zondani, Avuyile Mabece.
FNB NWU Eagles: 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 MATIES 23 – 12 FNB WITS
FNB Maties won a tight affair against FNB Wits 23-12 at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
Maties drew first blood when Juan Mostert slotted a penalty after an early mistake from Wits. The visitors didn’t wait too long to get on the scoreboard though when Mark Snyman went over for an unconverted try
Just before half-time, the home team won a line out and drove towards the try line with Siya Ngubelanga making sure of the five-pointer. When the hooter sounded, it was Maties leading 8-5 in a low-scoring game.
The Maroon Machine started the second half on fire when a brilliant individual display by Juan Mostert inside at the 22m line led to Maties’ second try. The mauling magic of Maties continued when DeWet Marais rounded off a well-executed move to stretch the score to 20-5.
With just over ten minutes to go and as the rain started to pour down again, Witsies got one back when Marno Grobbelaar scored their second try.
SCORERS
FNB Maties 23 (8 ) - Tries: Siya Ngubelanga, Juan Mostert. DeWet Marais. Conversions: Mostert. Penalties: Mostert (2)
FNB Wits 12 (5) - Tries: Mark Snyman, Marno Grobbelaar.
FNB Player That Rocks: Juan Mostert (FNB Maties)
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 WITS: Elizee Kwitonda, Marno Grobbelaar, Sibusiso Shongwe, George Lawson St Leger Devenish, Cal Smid, Kelvin Kanenungo, Dewet-Grant Fourie, Lindokuhle Ncusane, Wernich Aucamp, Kabelo Mokhethi, Kevon Nathan Simphiwe Chirwa, Mark Dilan Snyman, Liyema Matyolweni, Dustyn Matthew Holmes, Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena.
FNB UCT IKEYS 32 – 21 FNB UJ
It was a good night in difficult conditions for FNB UCT Ikeys when they picked up their second win of the season following a 32-21 victory over FNB UJ at the Green Mile in Cape Town.
Not much happened in the first five minutes of the match despite the home team attempting to force their way through the UJ defence.
It was a gutsy performance by the Orange Army as they continued to apply pressure that forced errors by the Ikeys. As a result, left-wing Prince Nkabinde stormed through the UCT backline and swung a pass to his captain Siyemukela Ndlovu who went over for a try. Rowan Malgas added extras taking his side to 7-0 after 14 minutes.
Six minutes later, the Tigers retaliated with a try courtesy of scrumhalf Riaan Genis, after the hosts got a lineout. Ntokozo Makhaza earlier slotted a penalty.
It didn’t take long before tighthead prop John Okonkwo scored a second try for UCT after UJ was penalised for not rolling away after a tackle. Makhaza added two points as the home side moved to 17-7.
A try by centre Jonathan Roche and another successful conversion by Makhaza had Ikeys leading 24-7 at half-time.
With rain pouring down in the second half, UCT used the wet conditions to their advantage with the ball passing through the backline and Makhaza as he dove over in the corner to make it 29-7.
UJ outside centre Sfiso Dlamini scored a seven-pointer try after his forwards won the ball from a rolling maul. Malgas added extras taking the score to 29-16.
It didn’t take long for Nkabinde to extend UJ's score with another try. He got a pass after his forwards worked hard to overcome the UCT scrum in front of Tigers poles. The score was 29-21 after 58 minutes.
But in the end, the match was easy for the UCT side, Makhaza kicked in for three points after UJ penalised obstruction.
SCORERS
FNB UCT Ikeys 32 (24) - Tries: Riaan Genis, John Okonkwo, Jonathan Roche, Ntokozo Makhaza. Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza (4). Penalties: Makhaza (2).
FNB UJ 21 (7) - Tries: Siyemukela Ndlovu, Prince Nkabinde (2), Sfiso Dlamini. Conversions: Rowan Malgas (2)
FNB Player That Rocks: Jonathan Roche (FNB UCT Ikeys)
FNB UCT Ikeys: Mhleli Khethuxolo Khuzwayo, Keagan Blanckenberg, John Kelly Ifechukwu Okonkwo, Enos Ndiao, Johan van Rhyn, Siphumezo Dyonase, Laro Delport, Reynhardt Crous, Riaan Genis, Alexander Vermeulen, Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, Jonathan Roche, Thomas Nel, Rethabile Donovan Louw, Duran Ryan Koevort.
FNB UJ: Heiko Peter Eugene Pohlmann, Mauritz Swart, Roedolf Fouche Schoeman, Marius Coetzee, Connor Van Buuren, Athi Galada, Philip Apea Adu, Siyemukela Samukelo Ndlovu, Kgothatso Sono, Rowan Malgas, Prince Nkabinde, Likhona Finca, Sfiso Perseverance Dlamini, Meyer Kriel, Boldwin Hansen.
FNB CUT 38 – 21 FNB UWC
FNB CUT prevailed 38-21 against hosts FNB UWC in a wet, rain-soaked and error-ridden encounter at the UWC Stadium in Cape Town. The half-time score was 33-7.
As would be expected when torrents of rain bucket down on a rugby field, there were plenty of errors. But that didn’t prevent the Ixias from scoring two tries (Jacobus Cloete, Juan Smith) within 15 minutes and racing to a 14-point lead.
The period following the first-half strategy break was a discipline nightmare for UWC with three yellow cards and a red card in quick succession. The relentless pressure CUT was applying paid dividends.
The visitors added three more tries before the halftime siren with Liam Prinsloo, Albertus Venter, and Asekho Marubelela all getting their name added to the try-scoring sheet.
Stand-in Udubs captain, Romuad Nsombamanya, who took over the leadership from injured Tasriq Mynhardt, scored the hosts' only first-half try with Wian van der Sandt adding the extras off the tee.
Despite a valiant effort and two late second-half tries from UWC, they left it too late. This was Paul Treu's third consecutive loss in their return to the Varsity Cup fold.
FNB UWC 21 (7) – Tries: Romuad Nsombamanya, Keanuh Michaels, Conwill Conradie. Conversions: Wian van der Sandt, Conradie (2).
FNB CUT 38 (33) – Tries: Jacobus Cloete, Juan Smith, Liam Prinsloo, Albertus Venter, Asekho Marubelela, Raydon Swartbooi. Conversions: Smith (3).
FNB Player That Rocks: Juan Smith (FNB CUT)
FNB UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Joshua Eras, Keanuh Cameron Michaels, Michail Kasfikis, Carel Van der Merwe, Romuad Nsombamanya, Louan De Lange, Tyrone Farren Maritz, Wian Van der Sandt, Nhlamulo Emmanuel Shilubane, Hlomla Ncana, Bryan John Breda, Emile Silvis, Will Bradford Vraagom, Jean Jacques van Schalkwyk.
FNB CUT: Mamello Moshoaliba, Albertus Human Venter, Sisipho Nofuya, Asekho Phindile Marubelela, Kevin Strydom, Tsebano Edward Stemer, Jacobus Johannes Cloete, Tjaart Jurie Van der Walt, Raydon Swartbooi, Juan Arnold Smith, Zachery Bester, Septimus Dercksen, Liam Prinsloo, Adielson Gouveia, Natanael Young.
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