Maties sneak into semi’s through backdoor of 2023 Varsity Cup
The visiting FNB UFS Shimlas put on a masterclass of attacking rugby as they thrashed the FNB Maties 44-12 and booked a home semi-final with the Maties sneaking in through the back door.
Now Maties have to travel to take on log leaders and undefeated the NWU Eagles on their home turf in the semi-finals on 10 April at 19:00.
The men from Bloemfontein became the first Shimlas side to beat the Maroon Machine in Stellenbosch, the previous best being a 13-13 draw back in 2014. They joined the list of six teams who have managed to record a win in Matieland, something that has only happened eight times since 2008.
The first half saw the home side score tries courtesy of winger Marcqiewn Titus and centre Waqar Solaan. The momentum then swung the way of the visitors courtesy of two POR tries, first by scrumhalf Jandré Nel before captain and flanker Thabang Mahlasi scored to see his team take the halftime lead at 18-12. The home team where their own worst enemies as flanker Siya Matanda and reserve hooker Siya Ngubelanga were both shown cards by the referee.
After the break, it was all Shimlas as flanker Lourens Oosthuizen scored a brace courtesy of some strong forward play before winger Siviwe Zondani showed some serious gas and footballing skills to score in the corner. The final nail in the coffin saw replacement Chadd Adams dance his way past the Maties’ defence to make it 44-12, which made it 26 unanswered points in the second half.
FNB Maties 12 (12) – Tries: Marcqiewn Titus, Waqar Solaan. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (1).
FNB UFS Shimlas 44 (18) – Tries: Jandré Nel, Thabang Mahlasi, Lourens Oosthuizen (2), Siviwe Zondani, Chadd Adams. Conversions: Litha Nkula (1), Ethan Wentzel (3).
FNB Player That Rocks: Lourens Oosthuizen (UFS)
FNB Maties: 15 Croy Cade Martin, 14 Burger Luke John, 13 Topley Aydon Colin, 12 Solaan Waqar Bradwell, 11 Titus Marcqiewn Beon, 10 Matthee Jurie Johannes, 9 Volmoer Mckyle, 8 Basson Eric Chris, 7 Nel Louw Adriaan Jacobus, 6 Matanda Siyabonga, 5 Van Rhyn Marco, 4 Kitshof Matthys, 3 Burton Moegammad Anmaar, 2 Van den Heever Willem Jacobus, 1 Matongo Vernon Tadiwa.
Ikeys trounce Ixias
FNB CUT Ixias’ 2023 Varsity Cup campaign came to a grinding halt as a rampant FNB UCT Ikeys beat them 79-31 at CUT Park in Bloemfontein.
The third straight defeat ended the Ixias’ chances of making the semi-finals, and now they are facing the prospect of having to play in a promotion-relegation match. Ikeys in turn secured their spot in the top four.
The Ikeys opened the scoring with scrumhalf Asad Moos darting over for an unconverted try in the 11th minute. Some ten minutes later the Ixias finally got on the board with winger Adielson Gouveia going over in the corner for a try that was also unconverted.
Outside centre Josh Boulle and lock Reynhardt Crous each managed to dot down to hand the visitors from the Mother City a 19-5 lead at the halftime break.
After the interval, the Ikeys opened the floodgates in Bloemfontein and they showed no mercy as Enos Ndiao, Jac van der Walt and Rihaz Fredericks all scored. Lezane Davis and Sibusiso Makhaza each crossed for a brace of tries, while referee Ruhan Meiring also awarded the visitors a penalty try.
Tries by Ulrich Stander, Tiaan Drotskie and Sisipho Nofuya for CUT served as nothing more than a consolation and the wind was knocked out of their sails.
Tukkies’ headache continues
FNB UJ escaped the dreaded promotion-relegation zone with a 38-31 victory over FNB UP-Tuks in Pretoria. For the defending champions, it was a disappointing end to a dreadful season, finishing bottom of the log with no victories.
FNB NWU EAGLES 36 FNB WITS 3
Log leaders FNB NWU Eagles snuffed any hopes FNB Wits had of qualifying for the semi-finals with a 36-3 victory in Johannesburg. The half-time score was 17-3.
Kick-off for the match was at 19:00 but the final whistle only blew at 23:15 as the players were forced from the field due to bad weather and heavy lightning strikes.
