FNB UFS Shimlas safely navigated their way past city neighbours FNB CUT in round five of the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup and are now almost assured of a home semi-final. FNB Maties won the Western Cape derby against FNB UWC while FNB Wits came from behind to share the spoils with FNB UCT Ikeys. Defending champions FNB NWU Eagles and FNB UJ will have to return to the UJ Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday 19 March) after their match was called off because of inclement weather.
FNB UFS 59 – 40 FNB CUT
FNB UFS Shimlas claimed the bragging rights and a fourth straight bonus point win with a 59-40 victory over FNB CUT Ixias in Bloemfontein.
In a game of two halves, it was one-way traffic in the first stanza at a packed CUT Rugby Stadium as the Shimlas taught their neighbours a lesson in running rugby. The super-impressive Shimlas outside centre, Zane Bester, led the charge for the visitors by scoring a brace of point-of-origin tries in the first forty-minute period.
Jandré Nel went over for the Shimlas’ first of four point-of-origin tries seven-pointers that was set up by the fleet-footed winger, Kirwin du Preez, who also produced the magic for Bester’s first try.
There was also a penalty try for the Shimlas when Du Preez, who deserved a try, got taken out with a high tackle by Liam Prinsloo. For this tackle, Prinsloo was sent to the pink couch for ten minutes.
On the stroke of half-time, the Ixias finally managed to get on the board when the tighthead prop, Sisipho Nofuya, powered over for a converted try to see his team trailing 7-43 at the interval.
In the second 40-minute period the flow of the traffic went the other way and the Ixias showcased their renowned fighting spirit with Janco Cloete, Adielson Gouveia (point-of-origin), Juan Smith, Asekho Marubelela and Tiaan Naudé scoring to give themselves a sniff. But, tries by Shimlas flyhalf Ethan Wentzel and captain Neels Volschenk put it out of reach for the valiant Ixias.
SCORERS
FNB UFH 59 (43) – Tries: Jandré Nel, Zane Bester (2), Penalty try, Siviwe Zondani, Ethan Wentzel, Neels Volschenk. Conversions: Wentzel (6).
FNB CUT 40 (7) – Tries: Sisipho Nofuya, Janco Cloete, Adielson Gouveia, Juan Smith, Asekho Marubelela, Tiaan Naudé. Conversions: Juan Smith (3).
FNB Player That Rocks: Jandré Nel (FNB UFS)
FNB UFS: Ntokozo Hlophe, Liyema Mgwigwi, Francisco Dos Reis, Reinier Viljoen, John Raymond Stopforth, Cornelius Hermanus Smit Volschenk, Katlego Khumo Lobakeng, Siyambuka Sobe Nakhane Ningiza, Jandré Nel, Ethan SJ Wentzel, Siviwe Zondani, Gideon Jooste Nel, Zane Bester, Kirwin Curtley Du Preez, Michael Annies.
FNB CUT: Jan-Hendrik Bessenger, Albertus Human Venter, Sisipho Nofuya, Asekho Phindile Marubelela, Kevin Strydom, Tsebano Edward Stemer, Irwin Ivan Meyer, Jacobus Johannes Cloete, Raydon Swartbooi, Juan Arnold Smith, Liam Ethan De Wet, Liam Prinsloo, Zachery Bester, Adielson Gouveia, Natanael Young.
FNB MATIES 63 – 14 FNB UWC
Five-time FNB Varsity Cup champions FNB Maties outgunned bottom-of-the-log FNB UWC 63-19 in their Cape derby in Bellville. The men from Stellenbosch built a solid base following a 19-7 half-time lead.
The home side made some telling runs in the opening quarter of the match when flyhalf Aaron Swartz swerved his way around three would-be Maties defenders to dot down for the first try. Conwill Conradie added the extras.
Maties bided their time well and worked economically with the possession and territory that they had in the first half, resulting in Vernon Matongo crashing over for a Maties unconverted try. The visitors soon compounded their score when DeWet Marais and Juan Mostert ran in for two unanswered tries.
It was a Maroon Machine affair in the second half when Maties ran in two point-of-origin and two five-pointers, to lead 7-49 lead as the second strategy break loomed.
A late consolation try courtesy of replacement scrumhalf Wian van der Sandt meant UWC could go into double digits on the scoreboard before the final whistle blew.
Maties ran in a few more tries towards the end of the match with their experience in the end proving too much for UWC in their first season back in the Cup division.
SCORERS
FNB Maties 63 (19) – Tries: Vernon Matongo (2), DeWet Marais, Juan Mostert, Christiaan van Heerden-Smith, Louw Nel, Ryan Manuel, Edrich Viljoen, DeWet Marais. Conversions: Juan Mostert (6).
FNB UWC 14 (7) – Tries: Aaron Swartz, Wian van der Sandt. Conversion: Conwill Conradie.
FNB Player That Rocks: Juan Mostert (FNB Maties)
FNB Maties: Vernon Tadiwa Matongo, Siyasanga Ngubelanga, Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, Zuko Poswa, Matthew Gray, Fortune Ntokozo Mpofu, Louw Nel, DeWet Marais, Mckyle Volmoer, Juan Mostert, Matthew Emile Van Schalkwyk, Brendan John Venter, Ryan Marcus Manuel, Paschal Uzoma Ekeji, Cade Martin Croy.
FNB UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Joshua Eras, Keanuh Cameron Michaels, Michail Kasfikis, Carel Van der Merwe, Romuad Nsombamanya, Louan De Lange, Zinzan Magerman, Conwill Brooklyn Conradie, Aaron Benjamin Swartz, Hlomla Ncana, Bryan John Breda, Denver-Junior Van Wyk, Will Bradford Vraagom, Jean Jacques van Schalkwyk.
FNB WITS 33 – 33 FNB UCT
FNB Wits fought back to hold a determined FNB UCT Ikeys to a 33-33 stalemate at the Wits Stadium.
It took a last-minute try and conversion for the Witsies to avoid defeat against a team they enjoyed the better of in the territory and possession battle.
The first half saw Ikeys getting out of the blocks the quickest with a penalty inside the first two minutes with Ntokozo Makhaza making no mistake. The in-form winger was back in the thick of things again with a dazzling run that eventually saw him offloading to scrumhalf Riaan Genis, who neatly finished under the poles. Makhaza stepped up to convert and for the visitors to take a 12-0 lead.
The Witsies eventually got on the scoreboard in the 20th minute, after camping in the UCT 22. Scrumhalf Wernich Aucamp managed to pick up and score from close range, with Tireque Apolles converting to bring the score to 7-12. The rest of the half saw the visitors run in a further two tries, while the Witsies could only manage a converted penalty. The half-time score was 28-10 in favour of Ikeys.
The second half saw the home team showing sheer determination as they managed to restrict their opponents to a single try by prop Mhleli Khuzwayo. Wits ran in two more tries courtesy of Setshaba Mokoena and George Devenish before Ronan Dutton’s last grasp effort and Apolles’ conversion gave them a share of the points.
SCORERS
FNB Wits 33 (10) – Tries: Wernich Aucamp, Setshaba Mokoena, George Devenish, Ronan Dutton. Conversions: Tireque Apolles (4). Penalties: Tireque Apolles.
FNB UCT 33 (28) – Tries: Riaan Genis (2), Duran Koevort, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Conversions: Ntokoza Makhaza (2). Penalties: Ntokozo Makhaza.
FNB Player That Rocks: Jonathan Roche (FNB UCT)
FNB Wits: Jason Cloete, Dewet Lottering, Sibusiso Shongwe, Armin Durandt Weideman, George Lawson St Leger Devenish, Kelvin Kanenungo, Thandolwethu Biyela, Lindokuhle Ncusane, Wernich Aucamp, Tireque Apolles, Lindani Dweba, Caleb Lombard, Liyema Matyolweni, Dustyn Matthew Holmes, Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena.
FNB UCT: 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, Joshua Boulle, Lezane George Davis, Duran Ryan Koevort.
FNB UJ 12-49 FNB NWU
FNB NWU Eagles have kept themselves in the running to defend their title when they beat FNB UJ 49-12 in round five of the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup in Johannesburg.
The Orange Army had to play in front of an empty UJ Stadium after the game was closed to spectators following last night’s postponement due to unfavourable weather conditions.
The visitors drew the first blood with a Matthew Fortuin touchdown. Marvelous Mashimbyi scored two tries before the break and added two more in the latter part of the game for the Eagles.
Keano Windvogel also added his name to the NWU scoresheet with a try.
UJ finally got on the scoreboard just before half-time when Boldwin Hansen dotted the ball behind the try line. Kurtley Kiewiet’s conversion add two more the Orange Army still trailed 7-30.
The second half saw NWU deny UJ multiple scoring opportunities with Prince Nkabinde’s try the only consolation for the Orange Army.
This was not enough to catch the Eagles as Clavin Clack crossed over for the defending champions to drive the comprehensive victory home.
SCORERS
FNB NWU 49 (30) - Tries: Matthew Fortuin, Keano Windvogel, Marvelous Mashimbyi (4), Clavin Clack. Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (4), Matthew Fortuin.
FNB UJ 12 (7) - Tries: Boldwin Hansen, Prince Nkabinde. Conversions: Kurtley Kiewiet.
Player That Rocks: Aphelele Emihle Madaka (FNB NWU Eagles)
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