Ikeys score a solid home win, UJ smash Shimlas, and Wits snatch a dramatic draw against the Maties in Varsity Cup Round 5!.
UCT dash UP-Tuks’ hopes
FNB UP-Tuks’ dreams of reclaiming the Varsity Cup took a hit with their fifth consecutive loss, falling 23-13 to FNB UCT at the Green Mile on Monday night.
UP-Tuks started strong, putting the first points on the board in the opening half. The UCT defence held firm, frustrating UP-Tuks until their full-back broke through for a try.
David Manuel’s side maintained their lead until UCT captain Josh Moon scored a try, swiftly converted by winger Karl Martin.
Shortly after, UCT’s powerhouse flanker Xaba Kuyenzeka crossed the line, marking a lead change with Martin’s conversion extending the score to 14-13.
The only seven-point try of the match was secured by UCT’s outside centre Liam Furnis, wrapping up the score at a convincing 23-13 in favour of UCT.
With five straight losses, UP-Tuks must win their remaining games and hope for favourable results to keep their Semi-Final hopes alive.
FNB Player That Rocks: Xaba Kuyenzeka (FNB UCT)
Scorers:
UCT Ikeys: 23
Tries: Josh Moon, Xaba Kuyenzeka, Liam Furnis
Conversions: Karl Martin 2
Brian Martin
FNB UP-Tuks: 13
Tries: Christo Hamman, Adriaan Serane
Penalty: Tinus de Beer
UJ crush Shimlas on their turf
FNB UJ dominated FNB Shimlas 49-12 in a commanding Varsity Cup Round 5 victory at Xerox Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.
UJ showcased physical rugby, using their forwards to gain ground and lure Shimlas backline players out of position. Flyhalf Kobus Engelbrecht opened the scoring for UJ with a penalty in the 11th minute.
Shimlas missed a chance to equalise shortly after, but UJ responded with a try from scrumhalf Bradley Thain, converted by Engelbrecht, pushing the lead to 12-0.
Engelbrecht added a penalty to extend the lead to 15-0 before Shimlas winger Athi Halom scored in the corner, with Naude missing the conversion.
A tough moment for UJ came when debutant Seun Maduna was sent off with a red card for foul play, reducing UJ to 14 men. Just before halftime, Thain crossed again and Engelbrecht converted, making it 24-5.
Despite the setback, UJ continued their momentum into the second half. An intercept try by winger Odwa Nkunjana, converted by Engelbrecht, made it 33-5. Flanker Adriaan Bester scored the fourth try, and Ronald Brown scored the fifth converted try, pushing the score to 42-5.
UJ received a second red card when winger Tatendaishe Mujawe was sent off, but they still managed another try through Ronald Brown. Shimlas scored a consolation try by Francois Agenbag, converted by Naude, finalising the score at 49-12.
FNB Player That Rocks: Ronald Brown (FNB UJ)
Scorers:
FNB Shimlas: 12
Tries: Athi Halom, Francois Agenbag
Conversions & Penalties: Nicolaas Naude
FNB UJ: 49
Tries: Bradley Thain (2), Odwa Nkunjana, Adriaan Bester, Ronald Brown
Conversions: Kobus Engelbrecht (4)
Penalties: Kobus Engelbrecht (2)
Yellow Cards: Tatendaishe Mujawe
Red Cards: Seun Maduna
Wits snatch a last-minute draw to end Maties’ winning spree
In an electrifying Varsity Cup encounter at the Wits Rugby Stadium, FNB Wits and top-of-the-table FNB Maties battled to a thrilling 30-30 draw after Wits scored a converted try as the final siren sounded.
Maties started with great intensity, racing to a 17-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes as winger Edwill van der Merwe crossed early for an unconverted try. Wits fought back with tries from fullback Tyron Green and inside centre AJ Van Blerk, with flyhalf Chris Humphries converting, cutting the halftime deficit to 14-17.
The second half saw Maties extend their lead to 30-14 courtesy of tries and penalties, but Wits showed resilience. Substitute Taine Chabant scored a converted try, bringing the score to 23-30, before Chris Smith added a penalty to narrow the gap further.
With passion and determination, Wits secured a last-gasp seven-pointer, converted to draw level with the Maties, halting their winning streak for the first time in the season.
FNB Player of the Match: Chippie Oelofse (FNB Maties)
Scorers:
FNB Wits: 30
Tries: Tyrone Green (2), AJ Van Blerk, Taine Chabant
Conversions: Chris Humphries (3)
FNB Maties: 30
Tries: Edwill Van Der Merwe, Eldoe Schoeman, Johan Momsen
Conversions: Chris Smith
Penalties: Chris Smith (2)
Image: Luke Thorrold
