Dramatic scenes unfolded in FNB Varsity Cup round 7 on Monday as NWU staged an epic comeback from 20-39 down to beat the Ikey Tigers in the dying moments.
The Eagles secured a home semifinal and denied UCT a chance to defend their title.
Maties booked their place in the semifinals with a 45-23 victory over Ixias at CUT Stadium, a result that also confirmed Ixias’ relegation.
UP-Tuks remained top of the log with a dominant 51-22 victory over UJ, but the Orange Army still advance after staying in fourth on the log after Emeris closed out their season with a significant win over the Shimlas.
FNB UJ 22-51 FNB UP-TUKS
It was a matured, well-orchestrated and calculated performance that sealed a 51-22 victory for UP-Tuks against FUJ at the UJ Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday.
The side from Pretoria laid the foundation in the first half after scoring tries while they restricted UJ to just two.
They started on the backfoot, however, after the hosts opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Tholithemba Sibisi in the left corner.
JT Kapank extended his side’s lead to 8-0 after slotting over a penalty just outside the halfway line.
Tuks hit back immediately after that, and they looked dangerous in attack. Winger Andile Myeni linked up with Christiaan Volk who crashed over before Jacques Oberholzer crashed over to extend his side’s lead.
Both scores were Point of Origin tries, and Tuks were far from done. Obi added his name to the scoresheet before eighth-man Akhona Kunene barged over to see his side lead 32-15 at the break.
The second half was a completely different ball game. It was low scoring but produced a tactical battle and edge of the seat stuff.
The visitors extended their lead in the 56th minute through replacement scrumhalf Akha Mjawule before UJ hit back after a well-worked team try which was finished off by Jeandre Uithaler.
Tuks scored two late tries through Dillon Smith and Munashe Dukuswa to seal the win.
SCORERS:
FNB UJ: (15) 22
Tries: Tholithemba Sibisi, Exauce Kevani, Jeandre Uithaler.
FNB UP-Tuks: (32) 51
Tries: Christiaan Volk, Jacques Oberholzer, Dennis Obi, Akhona Kunene, Akha Mjawule, Dillon Smith, Munashe Dukuswa.
FNB Player of the Match: Divan du Toit (FNB UP-Tuks)
TEAMS:
FNB UJ: Sifiso Magwaza, Ryan Marimo, Damian Baker, Jaythen Orange, Juan Fourie, Kamo Molefe, Josh du Toit, Toy Engelbercht, Berwyn Bosch, JT Kapank, Tholithemba Sibisi, Reuven Ferreira, Exauce Kevani, Zenkosi Mthiyane, Jeandre Uithaler.
FNB Tuks: MJ Nel, Jean Fourie, Barnard Nortjie, David Engongo, Duncan Blignaut, Guvandre Moses, Jacques Oberholzer, Akhona Kunene, Chad-Lee Valentine, Divan du Toit, Munashe Dukuswa, Christiaan Volk, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Andile Myeni, Dennis Obi.
FNB MATIES 45-23 FNB CUT
Hooker CJ Erasmus was the hat-trick hero for Maties in Bloemfontein as they secured an invaluable 45-23 victory over CUT Ixias.
For the Ixias, the defeat brings a heartbreaking end to their Varsity Cup dream as they are relegated after failing to register a single win throughout the campaign.
It didn’t take long for the five-time champions to get on the scoreboard at CUT Stadium, with Erasmus crashing over from a maul.
Shortly afterwards, flyhalf Christiaan van Heerden-Smith extended the lead when Maties won a heel against the head at a CUT scrum. He pounced on the loose ball to dot down for an unconverted try.
The Ixias responded with real intent. Hooker Malekela Malothane powered over from a maul to open their account, before flyhalf Devinto Vergotine sliced through to level matters. A penalty by Matthys Malan then edged the hosts into the lead.
As halftime approached, the momentum swung again. Maties nudged ahead with a penalty try before Louis Fourie produced a moment of magic, scoring a Point of Origin try straight from the restart to give the visitors a commanding 26-15 lead at the break.
The hosts came out firing in the second half. Malan added another penalty, and Hope Seyaga crossed from a lineout move to close the gap to just three points, setting up a tense contest.
But once the Maroon Machine found their rhythm, they shifted through the gears. Erasmus peeled off the back of a maul to complete his brace on the hour mark, restoring some breathing room for Maties.
Eight minutes later, he was at it again, powering over from yet another dominant maul to seal his hat-trick and put the result beyond doubt.
On the stroke of fulltime, replacement tighthead prop Ammaar Burton added the finishing touches after sustained pressure, with fullback Elridge Jack slotting the conversion to compound the Ixias’ misery.
Maties now march confidently into the semifinals, while for the Ixias it’s a season to forget as they drop down to the Varsity Shield following their relegation.
SCORERS
FNB CUT: (15) 23
Tries: Malekela Malothane, Devinto Vergotine, Hope Seyaga.
FNB Maties: (26) 45
Tries: CJ Erasmus X3, Christiaan van Heerden-Smith, Penalty Try, Louis Fourie (PoO), Ammaar Burton.
FNB Player of the Match: Tsebano Stemer (FNB CUT)
TEAMS
FNB CUT: Jade Muller, CJ Taljaard, Matthys Malan, Winton Abrahams, Ashwin Jones, Devinto Vergotine, Raydon Swartbooi, Hope Seyaga, Petrus Nel, Tsebano Stemer, Frans Oyama, Theron, Jean-Louis Theron, Sean Vermaak, Malekela Malothane, Jan-Hendrik Bessenger.
FNB Maties: Elridge Jack, Louis Fourie, Ryan Manuel, Matthew Malherbe, Oluhle Ndaba, Christiaan van Heerden-Smith, Mckyle Volmoer, Ethan Snyman, Tjaart Joubert, Fortune Mpofu, Kevin Strydom, Zuko Poswa, Keanuh Michaels, CJ Erasmus, Jason Johnson.
FNB NWU EAGLES 56-53 FNB UCT IKEYS
A dramatic 56-53 victory over Ikeys at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground secured the NWU Eagles a crucial home semifinal, capping one of the most remarkable comebacks of the season.
What looked like a certain defeat at halftime turned into a powerful statement from the Purple Army, who overturned a 39-20 deficit in front of a charged Potchefstroom crowd.
UCT dominated the opening half, running in tries at will and exposing defensive gaps to take a commanding 39-20 lead into the break, leaving the Eagles with a mountain to climb.
The home side responded immediately after halftime, crossing for a try within the opening minute to spark belief.
Although the Ikeys continued to strike, the Eagles refused to fade, matching them score for score in a high-tempo second half.
With momentum shifting and the home crowd lifting their side, NWU launched a relentless fightback.
Tries from Logan Janeke, MJ Mostert and others kept the scoreboard ticking as the gap steadily closed in a thrilling end-to-end contest.
The decisive moment came in the dying minutes, when Mostert powered over for his second try of the match before the successful conversion sealed a stunning 56-53 win, sending the home supporters into celebration.
The result confirms NWU’s place in a home semifinal and highlights their resilience under pressure, while UCT will rue a missed opportunity after letting a dominant first-half performance slip.
SCORERS
FNB NWU Eagles: (39) 56
Tries: Laun Van Der Walt, Logan Janeke X2, Jordan McLoughlin, Zack Serfontein, MJ Mostert X 2, Gary Otto.
FNB UCT Ikey: (20) 53
Tries: Alex Vermeulen, Monray Daars, Eric Basson, Kian Davis, Connor Jack Gordon, Amahle Mazibuko, Sechaba Mokoena.
FNB Player of the Match: MJ Mostert (FNB NWU Eagles).
TEAMS
FNB NWU Eagles: Alethwa Buthelezi, Jordan McLoughlin, Jason Oosthuizen, Raniel Turner, Ricardo Fourie, Gujan du Bois, Zack Serfontein, Ruan van Willing, Leejay Peterson, Matthew Fortuin, Luyolo Doyi, Luan van der Walt, Stephen Krugel,Raniel Turner.
FNB UCT Ikey: Mhleli Khuzwayo, Johan Lombard, Phiko Zuka, Enos Ndiao, Connor Jack Gordon, Isaiah Louw, Aidan De Costa, Aidan Norris, Monray Daars, Alex Vermeulen, Sino Brawen, Amahle Mazibuko, Kian Davis, Jack Banade, Setshaba Mokoena.
FNB EMERIES 41-19 FNB UFS SHIMLAS
The Emeries put in a massive display in front of their home fans as they impressively defeated a strong UFS Shimlas team by 41-19.
It was the Comets that found the score first as The Transporter, Edward Sigauke found some space and kicked himself a beautiful chip which he picked up and dotted down.
Flyhalf Marx made no mistake from the boot to get in the conversion.
A few minutes later, Shimlas responded as their hooker, Jacobus Bezuidenhout, finished off a beautiful driving maul.
The home team piled on the pressure as their captain Jacques Marais dotted down after a close lineout deep in the territory of the visitors to extend his team's lead by a further five points.
The visiting team, Shimlas, increased the tension as a Gunter Van Rensberg Point of Origin try was successfully converted by Wynand Botha, taking the score to a nervy 14-12 twelve minutes away from halftime.
Just before halftime came, Emeris were able to ease some fan nerves as they successfully worked a tap power play route.
Meno Benard managed to power himself over the tryline. Thereafter, Comets right winger Jayden Fortuin displayed beautiful steps to dot down.
This was to be the last action of the half with the score at 22-14.
The Comets scored three minutes into the second half through Christian Els.
Emeris were enjoying the game’s momentum and, as a result, they managed to dot down once again after a beautifully worked team try which saw Thando Luthuli at the end of it with a Marx conversion.
For the majority of the game, the ball was played in the half of the visitors, however, Shimlas managed to score their third try of the game after the home team lost concentration with Ferdinand Vergottini finding a way through the backline of Emeris.
This was to be the last try for the visitors.
Right at the death came a contender for try of the season as Edward Sigauke managed to chase down a massive kick from deep in their half. He left the last man flying with some exquisite steps to run down and dot down a Point of Origin try.
SCORERS
FNB Emeris: (22) 41
Tries: Edward Sigauke X2, Jacques Marais, Thando Luthuli, Jayden Fortuin, Christian Els, Mmeno Benard.
FNB UFS Shimlas: (12)19
Tries: Jacobus Bezuidenhout, Gunter Van Rensberg, Ferdinand Vergottini.
FNB Player of the Match: Jacques Marais (FNB Emeris)
TEAMS
FNB Emeris: Thabo Njapha, Andrew Davis, 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 UFS: Musa Moshoaliba, Jacobus Bezuidenhout, Ongeziwe Mobo, Maynard Kleynhans, Juan Venter, Henri Van Heerden, Sandile Nzuza, Liam Shamburg, Alaistar-Cole Vermeulen,Wynand Botha, Siviwe Zondani, Freddie Dryer, James Jonker, Kirwin Du Perez, Gunter Van Rensberg.