The FNB NWU Eagles surged to the top of the FNB Varsity Cup standings after a hard-fought home victory over FNB UP-Tuks in Round 5.
At the Green Mile the Maroon Machine got their revenge from last year’s final and secured bragging rights in the Cape derby, claiming a bonus-point win over defending champs FNB UCT Ikeys.
The Orange Army claimed another big scalp and kept their semifinal hopes alive with a solid win over the Shimlas at UJ Stadium while at the bottom of the standings, the FNB Comets produced a dramatic victory to overcome the struggling Ixias.
FNB UCT 7-34 FNB Maties
FNB Maties scored a valuable bonus-point victory away to Western Cape rivals FNB UCT Ikeys to kick off Round five. The men from Stellenbosch collected maximum points in Cape Town to beat defending champions by 34-7.
Both sides needed to have their wits about them in the windy conditions on the Green Mile with Ikey Tigers heading into the clash as favourites.
FNB Maties found themselves on the back foot in early exchanges, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring against the run of play inside 10 minutes. FNB UCT were on the front foot and misplaced a pass inside the Stellenbosch 22 leading to a breakaway that resulted in Luan Botha dotting down for a Point of Origin try after six minutes.
The Ikey Tigers needed to navigate tricky spell of play with 14-men shortly after with captain Enos Ndiao going to the bin for cynical play. Maties headed into the break with a slender lead after a gruelling first half where they needed to absorb waves of Ikeys pressure. Despite spending the majority of the first period in their own half, they led by seven-points at the break.
The Maroon Machine came out firing in the to kick off the second period with tries aplenty. First, Stellies skipper, Ezekiel Ngobeni, showed some slick skills and quick thinking to get his side’s second try. Sensing a shift in momentum, Ngobeni opted for the Tap which worked a treat as Zuko Poswa crashed over the line just 24 seconds later for a 17-0 lead.
The visitors had their tails up and scored their bonus point try shortly after the restart courtesy of prop, Janlu Basson. The Stellies front rower bagged a brace of tries within two minutes - one of them coming from another successful Tap by the visiting team that saw them race into a 29-0 lead on enemy territory.
The hosts hit back with a seven-pointer that was finished off by Jack Benade a few moments later but just couldn’t seem to impose themselves on the contest. The gusty conditions caused problems for both sides, but Stellies were able to keep their mistakes to a minimum.
Maties ran in their sixth try after the hooter sounded after a well-worked scrum set piece that went through the hands and eventually saw Mckyle Volmoer finishing off the move for a 34-7 success over their archrivals.
SCORERS
FNB UCT: (0) 7
Tries: Jack Benade
FNB Maties: (7) 34
Tries: Janlu Basson X2, Luan Botha, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Zuko Poswa, Mckyle Volmoer
FNB Player of the Match: Ezekiel Ngobeni (FNB Maties)
TEAMS:
FNB UCT Ikeys: Matthew Beckett, Tian Vorster, Phiko Zuka, Enos Ndiao (C), Connor Jack Gordon, Isaiah Louw, Eric Basson, Aidan Norris, Monray Daars, Alex Vermeulen, Lezane Davis, Amahle Mazibuko, Bruce Campbell, Jack Benade, Setshaba Mokoena, Nic Van Schalkwyk, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Tumelo Noah, Adam De Waal, Aiden De Costa, Sethu Zungu, Jacques Cloete, Sino Brawen.
FNB Maties: Janlu Basson, CJ Erasmus, Keanuh Michaels, Zuko Poswa, Luan Botha, Fortune Mpofu, Louw Du Toit, Tjaart Joubert, Ezekiel Ngobeni (C), Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Huhgo Van Zitters, CJ Marx, Samuel Badenhorst, Ryan Manuel, Dawie Stemmet, Jason Johnson, Danie Kruger, Luke Swartz, Mckyle Volmoer, Simon Liversage, Louis Fourie.
FNB UJ 29-17 FNB Shimlas
FNB UJ kept their hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FNB Varsity Cup alive after delivering a gritty performance to defeat FNB Shimlas 29-17 at the UJ Stadium on Monday.
The Orange Army entered the clash on the back of a humiliating 87-28 loss against FNB UCT a week ago.
It was a slow start to the game, and things lit up after the 20-minute mark when hooker Francois Prinsloo barged over from a rolling maul.
FNB UJ extended their lead in the 27th minute when electric winger, Mnelis Gamede, sliced through the FNB Shimlas defence to dot over untouched.
The hosts weren’t done yet and punished FNB UFS for their lack of discipline. Prinsloo crashed over from close range for his second to see his side lead 19-0 at the break.
The Orange Army started the second half brightly and extended their lead by seven points when Toy Engelbercht barged over from close range.
They dropped the ball after that score, and it was all FNB Shimlas. The visitors upped the tempo, and scrumhalf Erich Visser bagged a brace within eight minutes to make for an interesting final 20 minutes.
Both sides struggled to capitalise on several numerical advantages, and UJ slotted a penalty with three minutes remaining through JT Kapank to seal the win.
The Shimlas, however, had the last say when Faasen Laubscher crashed over. That came a little bit too late, and UJ held on for the win to maintain their unbeaten record at home.
SCORERS:
FNB UJ: (19) 29
Tries : Francois Prinsloo X2, Mnelisi Gamede, Toy Engelbercht.
FNB Shimlas: (0) 12
Tries: Erich Visser X2, Faasen Laubscher.
FNB Player of the Match: Thabang Mphafi (FNB UJ)
TEAMS
FNB UJ: Sifiso Magwaza, Francois Prinsloo, Damian Baker, Jaythen Orange, Juan Fourie, Toy Engelbrecht, Josh Du Toit, Thabang Mphafi, Berwyn Bosch, JT Kapank, Mnelis Gumede, Reuven Ferreira, Exauce Kevani, Tholithemba Sibisi, Jeandre Uithaler.
FNB Shimlas: Musa Teboho Moshoaliba, Jacobus Bezuidenhout, Sibabalwe Booi, HJ de Beer, Juan Venter, Henri van Heerden, Sandile Nzuza, Liam Shamburg, Erich Visser, Bradley Pierre Giddy ©, Keehan Etson, Freddie Dreyer, Wynard Botha, Kirwin du Preez, Siviwe Zondani.
FNB Emeris 26-24 FNB CUT
The clash between FNB Emeris and FNB CUT Ixias turned into a crucial battle in the fight to avoid relegation, with both sides desperate to secure valuable points. The match began with intense physicality as the teams approached the contest cautiously, focusing on structured play and minimising early mistakes.
The cracks started to inevitably come as visitors began making some errors as their winger received some time out on a yellow card.
FNB Emeris wasted no time from then to take the advantage as they received a good line out from a few metres out; captain Jacques Marais carried the ball to dot down for his team in a driving maul. Frederick Marx made no mistakes on the conversion kick as he gave his team 7 points.
Just a minute after the first-half strategy break, momentum was with the home team.
The FNB Emeris eventually found some space in the defense of the visitors, left flanker Thando Luthuli dropped a shoulder and steps out a defender of the Ixias to dot down. Tensions quickly escalated as The Comets opted for the tap power play which worked beautifully as Chijindu found some space behind the FNB CUT backline to dot down.
Right before the halftime break came, FNB CUT announced their presence on the scoreboard Jade Muller who was sent off the pitch earlier in the game found some space in the backline of the home team to dot down for a POR try.
Halftime came and the score was 17-7 to the home team FNB Emeris.
The second half began on a high not as the home team looked to extend their lead quickly into the half, which they did so. Fullback Chijindu Okonta bagged himself a brace in a POR try. Fly half Frederick Marx extended the lead with a successful conversion taking the score to 26–7
FNB Ixias made things more interesting as they made their presence on the score felt once more. Matthys Malan bumped his man off to dot down for his team. The visitors opted for the tap power play which they worked beautifully, Jade Muller made amends of his mistake earlier in the match as he dotted down for his brace taking the score to 26–17.
The goosebumps grew exponentially as the visitors bagged in another try by Winton Abrahams Kehan Myburgh good on the conversion 26–24 with 10 minutes to play.
The nerves were high for the last minutes of the game as just 2 points separated the team.
FNB Emeris managed to hang on their lead and claim their first win of the tournament.
SCORERS
FNB Emeris : (17) 26
Tries : Jacques Marais, Thando Luthuli, Chijindu Okonta X2
FNB CUT: (7) 24
Tries: Jade Muller X2, Matthys Malan, Winton Abrahams.
FNB Player of the Match: Chijindu Okonta (FNB Emeris)
TEAMS
FNB Emeris: Christoff Etzebeth, Jacques Marais, Nathi Ntuli, Garren Muller, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Thando Luthuli, Meno Barnard, Juan Steyl, Abande Mthembu, Fedrick Marx, Edward Sigauke, Mambo Mkhize, Chris Horak, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Chijindu Okonta.
FNB CUT: Jan Hendricks Bessenger, Tokelo Ntaopane, Vuyo Holiday, Petrus Nel, Oyama Frans, Jordan Davis, Dean Sciocatti, Hope Seyaga, Raydon Swartbooi, Kehan Myburgh, Jade Muller, Winton Abrahams, Matthys Malan, Kutlo Seyoko, Devinto Vergotine.
FNB NWU Eagles 30-22 FNB UP-Tuks
FNB NWU Eagles secured an important 30-22 victory over FNB UP-Tuks at the Fanie du Toit Sportsground on Monday, moving to the top of the FNB Varsity Cup log. The result also handed FNB UP-Tuks their first defeat of the tournament. The home side scored three tries before the break and went into halftime leading 23–5. The crowd created an electric atmosphere, with loud support pushing the Eagles forward throughout the match.
Despite playing without their captain Stephen Krugel for the first time this season, FNB NWU remained organised and confident. FNB UP-Tuks fought back in the second half and managed to add more points, but the Eagles stayed in control to secure the win.
Tries for NWU were scored by Zack Serfontein, Leejay Peterson, Jordan McLoughlin and Luan van der Walt. Tuks responded with tries from Akha Mjawule and Gustav van der Merwe, who crossed the line twice.
NWU scrumhalf Zack Serfontein, wearing jersey No 9, was named the Player that Rocks after a strong performance that helped guide the Eagles’ attack. The victory strengthens NWU’s position in the competition as the tournament continues.
SCORERS
FNB NWU: (23) 30
Tries: Zack Serfontein, Leejay Peterson, Jordan McLoughlin, Andile Myeni, Luan van der Walt.
FNB UP-Tuks: (5) 22
Tries: Akha Mjawule, Gustav van der Merwe X2.
FNB Player of the Match: Zack Serfontein (FNB NWU Eagles)
TEAMS
FNB NWU Eagles: Alethwa Buthelezi, Jordan McLoughlin, Jason Oosthuizen, Tian van Zyl, Raniel Turner, Ricardo Fourie, Schalk van Schalkwyk, Gujan du Bois, Zack Serfontein, Ruan van Willing, Leejay Peterson, Matthew Fortuin, Luyolo Doyi, Luan van der Walt.
FNB UP-Tuks: MJ Nel, Jean Fourie, Jayd Austin, Oelof de Meyer, David Engongo, Guvandre Moses, Ben Jansen van Vuuren, Dilon Smith, Akha Mjawule, Divan du Toit, Munashe Vlok, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Andile Myeni, Hopewell Ntshangase.