SHIMLAS VS TUKS
FNB Tuks, the defending champions, suffered a surprise defeat at home in Pretoria when FNB UFS Shimlas secured a narrow 26-25 win, exacting revenge for their loss in last year’s semi-final.
Shimlas started strongly, with winger Asanda Kunene scoring a try within the first five minutes. They quickly added two more converted tries, taking a 21-point lead in just 12 minutes. Tuks responded with a try from fullback Kyle Cyster and a penalty try later in the half, but Shimlas maintained their advantage, leading 21-14 at halftime.
Shimlas continued their momentum in the second half, with Kunene completing his brace within four minutes. However, Tuks fought back and forced Shimlas to make errors in crucial areas, resulting in two penalties kicked by flyhalf Jacobus Burger. They managed to reduce the deficit to a single point when hooker Allister Williams scored from a driving maul.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 26 (21) – Tries:Asanda Kunene (2), Kwezi Dlamini, John Moffat. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (3)
FNB UP-TUKS 25 (14) – Tries: Kyle Cyster, Allister Williams, penalty try. Conversions: Jacobus Burger (1). Penalties: Jacobus Burger (2)
FNB Player That Rocks: Pierre Uys (UFS Shimlas)
MATIES VS IKEYS
A fantastic back and forth game where Maties claimed a tight win over their rivals the UCT Ikeys. The victory of 21-19 came at the death.
In form pivot Jurie Matthee scored early and converted his own try to make it 9-0. Injured Mike Mavonana was replaced by Maselino Pooe was shown a red after a dangerous tackle in the lead-up to the try by former SACS star Duran Koevort for the Ikeys.
A back and forth tussle continued before some excellent link up play between the backs and forwards saw Ikeys centre Lyle Hendricks race into the corner with Ikeys pivot Makhaza slotting the conversion from an almost impossible angle.
Misery was to follow for Maties as Marco van Rhyn was shown a red, their second in the match as Ikeys dominance showed with the scores at 19-9 at this stage of the game. The home team responded with a try by former SA Schools and Selborne scrummie Tom Bursey.
Former Paul Roos player Luke Burger showed that he is still a true backline threat with a chip and chase that led to the try. A late penalty by Matthee with the hooter going off clinched the victory by the tightest of margins.
FNB MATIES 21 (9) – Tries: JurieMatthee, Thomas Bursey. Conversions: Matthee (2) Penalties: Matthee (1)
FNB UCT IKEYS 19 (16) – Tries: Duran Koevort, Lyle Hendricks. Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza (2). Penalties: Makhaza (1)
FNB Player That Rocks: Asad Moos (UCT Ikeys)
WITS VS CUT
Wits made a statement of intent by drawing first blood in their fixture against the CUT Ixias away from home in Bloemfontein in a high scoring game winning 59-49.
Mark Snyman was outstanding with a double on either side of half time, a warning shot was clearly fired to their opponents. The Johannesburg based outfit raced into an early lead thanks to a converted try by Lindo Ncusane. Further tries were scored by Wian de Lange, Mark Snyman and Kabelo Mokheti with the away team leading at the halfway point 31-28.
Tokelo Ntapane scored a hat-trick and was in fine form. The second half saw Snyman going over for his brace with 14 minutes on the clock in the second. Azakhiwe Afrika, Banele Mthejane and De Lange sealed the victory for Wits but CUT weren’t taking it lying down.
Ulrich Stander, Maboe Sekele and Thabiso Mkhwebane kept them in the game but it was just a bridge too far for the boys from Bloem who will no doubt be ready to prove their detractors wrong in their next fixture.
FNB Wits 59 (31) – Tries: LindokuhleNcusane, Wian de Lange (2), Mark Snyman (2), KabeloMokhethi, Azakhiwe Afrika, Banele Mthenjane. Conversions: Chris Rheeder (5).
FNB CUT 49 (28) – Tries: TokeloNtapane(3), Zachery Bester, Ulrich Stander, Thabiso Mkhwebane, MaboeSekele. Conversions:Christian Humphries (7)Penalties: Christian Humphries (1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Mark Snyman (Wits)
NWU VS UJ
The NWU Eagles got off to a soaring start with a comprehensive win over a game UJ outfit winning 41-28 and racing to the top of the log in the process.
There were however some testing moments in the game for the Eagles as UJ were dominant in the first half with tries by Jonathan Viljoen and Varsity Cup veteran Dernell Osuagwu ensuring they went into the second half as 18-15 leaders.
The second half however was where the tables were turned with the Eagles running away from their opponents. Vernon Paulo and Sylvester Hassien both scored deserved tries and while UJ did attempt to fight back further tries were scored by big lock Stephan Kruger and Wihan Nel ensuring that the Eagles started off their season with a bang.
FNB NWU Eagles 41 (15) – Tries: IsromePhatudi, Theuns Pretorius, Vernon Paulo, Sylvester Hassien, Stephan Krugel, Wihan Nel. Conversations: Zinedine Robinson (2), Martin Venter (1). Penalties: Robinson (1)
FNB UJ 28 (18) – Tries: Dernell Osuagwu, Jonathan Viljoen (2). Conversations: Jonathan Viljoen (1). Penalties: Jonathan Viljoen (3)
FNB Player That Rocks: Sylvester Hassien (NWU Eagles)
