FNB UP-Tuks remain the only unbeaten team in the competition after coming back to beat the Maroon Machine in Pretoria in round 3. Dramatic scenes unfolded in Johannesburg as the UJ orange snatched victory at the death over the Eagles and the Shimlas are the Kings of Bloem after they dismantled neighbours Ixias in a ruthless display.
Meanwhile in Durban, defending champions the Ikey Tigers collected maximum points with a bonus-point victory over newly promoted FNB Emeris.
FNB UJ 35-29 FNB NWU Eagles
FNB UJ delivered a dominant performance to edge FNB NWU 35-29 in round three of the FNB Varsity Cup in Johannesburg on Monday.
The Orange Army were clinical and laid the foundation in the first half after outscoring their opponents by four tries to two.
They started on the backfoot after Pukke opened the scoring in the seventh minute through hooker Jordan Mcloughlin.
That sparked FNB UJ to life, and they hit back almost immediately through scrumhalf, Zian Cilliers. Soon after, Ughan Africa scored a thriller - he picked up a loose ball, ran into traffic, and bounced off Jason Oosthuizen to extend his side’s lead.
Cilliers scored his second in the 20th minute after intercepting the ball inside Pukke’s 22-metre line, and his score was followed by Ughan Africa seven minutes later.
The visitors had the last say in the half when Luan Van der Walt scored on the buzzer to trail 14-28 at the break.
The second half was a totally different ball game, and Pukke showed fight and character.
They pinned the Orange Army in their half and forced them into making uncharacteristic errors. The home side didn’t do themselves any favours either after receiving a handful of yellow cards.
Pukke scored three times in the half, and their tries were all scored by flanker Ricardo Fourie, who took matters into his own hands.
They led 29-28 with two minutes remaining, but UJ refused to give in.
The home side had one last attack, and they used it to full effect when the backs linked up with skipper, Thabang Mphafi, who ran over - much to the delight of the home crowd.
UJ survived a late scare and held on for what was their second victory of the tournament.
SCORERS:
FNB UJ: (28) 35
Tries: Zian Cilliers X2, Ughan Africa X2, Thabang Mphafi.
FNB NWU Eagles: (14) 29
Tries: Ricardo Fourie X3, Jordan Mcloughlin, Luan Van der Walt.
FNB Player of the Match: Zian Cilliers (FNB UJ)
TEAMS:
FNB UJ: Sifiso Magwaza, Ryan Marimo, Bian Janse van Rensburg, Thabo Mashigo, Juan Fourie, Kamo Molefe, Josh Du Toit, Thabang Mphafi ©, Zian Cilliers, JT Kapank, Zenkosi Mthiyane, Reuven Ferreira, Exauce Kevani, Ughan Africa, JT Strydom.
FNB NWU: Alethwa Buthelezi, Jordan Mcloughlin, Jason Oosthuizen, Stephan Krugel ©, Raniel Turner, Ricardo Fourie, Tian Van Zyl, Sean Roulston, Njabulo Dladla, MJ Mostert, Therlow Prins, Aiden De Villiers, Matthew Fortuin, Luyolo Doyi, Luan Van der Walt.
FNB CUT 19-71 FNB UFS Shimlas
The FNB UFS Shimlas claimed five points and the bragging rights on Monday after convincingly hammering their neighbours, the FNB CUT Ixias, 71-19 in a Bloemfontein derby during round three of the FNB Varsity Cup.
Veering away from their usual blueprint, the Shimlas used their forwards to great effect, securing the win largely through maul tries, while the backs, for once, took a step back. While the Ixias’ discipline was severely punished, the Shimlas’ discipline was a textbook example of what any coach would want from his side.
FNB UFS struck first, with Junior Springbok scrumhalf Erich Visser darting over following a strong maul. The two-time champions were ruthless in punishing the Ixias’ poor discipline. This was highlighted by hooker Jaco Bezuidenhout, who
crashed over for a hat-trick of tries from mauls off lineouts. They weren’t done there, adding a further two tries by capitalising on penalties, with flanker Ferdi Vergottini crossing the line twice, and captain Henri van Heerden added to the tally with tries during the powerplay.
This dominance saw the Shimlas take an imposing 42-0 lead into halftime.
The onslaught continued in the second half, with the referee awarding a penalty try to the Shimlas in the fourth minute after the restart. Vergottini then completed his hat-trick in what was a rare appearance for the side.
Minutes later, the Ixias finally got on the board, with centre Winton Abrahams scoring the first of his brace. Tiaan Kriek added a converted try, and the Ixias began to play a more expansive game, producing a quick double strike as Devinto Vergotine scored before Abrahams ran the length of the field for a superb point-of-origin try.
On the stroke of fulltime, however, the Shimlas had the final say. Replacement hooker Marnus Winter scored following another penalty-driven set-piece, while lock Marno Stopforth powered over for a powerplay try to add insult to injury.
SCORERS:
FNB CUT: (0) 19
Tries: Winton Abrahams X2, Devinto Vergotine.
FNB UFS Shimlas: (42) 71
Tries: Jaco Bezuidenhout X3, Ferdi Vergottini X3, Henry van Heeden (PP 2), Tiaan Kriek, Marnus Winter, Marno Stopforth (PP), Erich Visser, Penalty try.
FNB Player of the Match: Jaco Bezuidenhout (FNB UFS Shimlas)
TEAMS:
FNB CUT: Devinto Vergotine, Kutlo Seyoko, Matthys Cornelius Malan, Winton Abrahams, Jade Muller, Kehan Myburgh, Raydon Swartbooi, Hope Seyaga, Dean Sciocatti, Katlego Shebu, Durandt van Aswegen, Jean Louis Theron, Vuyo Holiday, Jordan Davids, Jan-Hendrik Bessenger.
FNB UFS Shimlas: Siviwe Zondani, Kirwin du Preez, Keehan Etson, Freddie Dreyer, Edward Mpinga, Shaun Ray, Erich Visser, Henri van Heerden (captain),
Sandile Nzuza, Ferdi Vergottini, Juan Venter, HJ de Beer, Ongeziwe Mobo, Jaco Bezuidenhout, Musa Moshoaliba.
FNB UP-Tuks 33-17 FNB Maties
FNB UP-Tuks delivered a commanding performance in round three of the FNB Varsity Cup as they defeated FNB Maties to remain the only unbeaten side in this year’s competition.
Playing in front of an electric home crowd, the high-flying Tuks outfit combined clinical finishing with disciplined defence to overpower Maties in a fiercely contested derby. The result not only reinforces their early-season dominance but also sends a strong statement to the rest of the competition as they continue to set the pace at the top of the standings.
As anticipated, the clash proved physical from the opening whistle. Both sides headed into this encounter in high spirits, coming from big victories. The home side broke the deadlock in the 21st minute after dominating the physical contests. Jean Fourie dotted down from a powerful driving maul.
It did not take the visitor time to react as they quickly punched back and took the lead. Back-to-back tries courtesy of CJ Erasmus and Ryan Manuel gave FNB Maties the lead. Erasmus touched down from a driving maul before Manuel pierced through Tuks' defence after a clinical intercept. Flyhalf Christiaan van Heerden Smith made no mistake from the tee, converting all kicks. Van Heerden Smith returned with a penalty, handing Maties a 12-point lead at the interval.
The Stripe Generation was not giving up without a fight and returned from the break rejuvenated and immediately reduced the deficit. Munashe Dukuswa slips through FNB Maties defence to make it 12-17. Maties were still in the lead, but five minutes later, they were caught napping against Tuks, showing their dominance in scrums. Ben Jansen van Vuuren crossed over to level matters.
It was not long until Tuks regained their lead through Fourie with a brace again from a driving maul. Jayd Austin wrapped up his top performance for the night with a try to end things off 33-17 in favour of Tuks.
SCORERS:
FNB UP-Tuks: (5) 33
Tries: Jean Fourie X2, Munashe Dukuswa, Ben Jansen van Vuuren, Jayd Austin (POR).
FNB Maties: (17) 17
Tries: CJ Erasmus, Ryan Manuel.
FNB Player of the Match: Jayd Austin (FNB UP-Tuks)
TEAMS:
FNB UP-Tuks: MJ Nel, Jean Fourie, Jayd Austin, Oelof De Meyer, David Engongo, Guvandre Moses, Ben Jansen van Vuuren, Dillon Smith (C), Chad-Lee Valentine, Divan Du Toit, Munashe Dukuswa, Christiaan Vlok, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Andile Myeni, Hopewell Ntshangase.
FNB Maties: Janlu Basson, CJ Erasmus, Keanuh Michaels, Zuko Poswa, Luan Botha, Fortune Mpofu, Louw Du Toit, Ethan Snyman, Mckyle Volmoer, Huhgo Van Zitters, CJ Marx, Ryan Manuel, Nicholas Fritz, Sebastian Hahn.
FNB Emeries 10-32 FNB UCT Ikey
FNB Emeris made their debut home game on home soil in the third round of the FNB Varsity Cup campaign, looking to get something against defending champions FNB UCT Ikey.
The Ikey Tigers drew first blood as Kian Davis finished off a beautifully worked move to score a POR Try for the visitors, flyhalf Alex Vermeulen made no mistake to get a good conversion kick.
After a contentious first quarter of the match, shortly after the first Strat break, the Comets responded with some beautiful stepping from their star winger Edward Sigauke, who went over the try line. The home team opted for a tap-in on power play, but unfortunately, failed in their attempts, 5-9 on the scoreboard to the visitors.
Defending champions, FNB UCT, extended their lead over the Comets as the visiting team sent the ball out wide, which was gladly received by Lezane Davis. Points were extended by Vermeulen with a successful conversion, taking the score to 5-16 at halftime.
The second half came, and it was the visiting team that looked more dangerous.
A few moments before and after the second strategy break, the Ikey Tigers added two more tries to the scoreline, through Jack Benade as well as Adam De Waal.
Vermeulen made it 100 per cent on his conversion kicks as the flyhalf successfully booted four out of four conversions.
FNB Emeris tried to get something from the game as replacement Thabo Njapha dotted down from a ruck after consecutive pressing from the home team.
That was the game as the defending champions claimed a 32-10 victory in a highly physical matchup in Durban.
SCORERS:
FNB Emeries: (5) 10
Tries: Edward Sigauke, Andrew Davis.
FNB UCT: (15) 32
Tries: Lezane Davis, Kian Davis, Jack Benade, Adam de Waal.
FNB Player of the Match: Alex Vermuelen (FNB UCT).
TEAMS:
FNB Emeris: Christoff Etzebeth, Jacques Marais, Nathi Ntuli, Robert Everson, Kuhle Mthimkhulu, Thando Luthuli, Garren Muller, Juan Steyl, Abande Mthembu, Fedrick Marx, Edward Sigauke, Mambo Mkhize, Chris Horak, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Chijindu Okonta.
FNB UCT: Mhleli Khuzwayo, Nic Van Schalkwyk, Phiko Zuka, Enos Ndiao (C), Connor Gordon, Xola Nyali, Eric Basson, Isaiah Louw, Josh Miller, Alex Vermeulen, Lezane Davis, Amahle Mazibuko, Kian Davis, Benade Jack, Setshaba Mokoena.