FNB Varsity Cup semi-finalists confirmed as Shimlas stun Tuks

The round robin stages of the FNB Varsity Cup have ended and the semi-finalists have been decided in dramatic fashion as defending champs FNB UFS showed their pedigree by beating FNB Tuks in Pretoria.

The Shimlas' win with a bonus point puts them in fourth spot just one above the Eagles who absolutely crushed the Ixias in Potch but fail to advance to the play-offs in 5th.

FNB Maties cruised past FNB Wits to claim top spot on the log and a home semi-final while the loss sees the Witsies stay bottom of the log to be automatically relegated to the FNB Varsity Shield.

FNB UCT Ikeys triumphed over FNB UJ in a highly competitive and exciting match. The Cape side end the group stage in third and will face the Stripe Generation who finished second in Pretoria. The Orange Army end their campaign in seventh and will go into the promotion/relegation play-off against Madibaz on 5 May.

FNB UJ 31-49 FNB UCT Ikeys

UCT Ikeys triumphed over UJ in a highly competitive and exciting match, securing victory in a thrilling encounter.

The match began with Ikeys striking first, capitalising on a penalty after UJ conceded from a dropped scrum. Winger Ntokozo Makhaza slotted the ball through the posts to give the visitors an early lead. Ikeys quickly built on this momentum and in the 15th minute, Danio Botha spotted a gap in the UJ defense. The conversion was successful and Ikeys extended their lead.

However, UJ weren’t discouraged. The home side responded positively within a minute when Reuven Ferreria found space on the outside and powered through the Ikeys defense to score a try. The conversion followed and UJ began to close the gap.

Leading to half-time, UJ had narrowed the deficit to just one point, with the Ikeys leading as the teams headed into the break.

The second half saw UJ come out determined to take control. Bian Janse van Rensburg found a gap in the Ikeys defense and crossed the line to score another try for UJ, keeping the game tight. The conversion was good and UJ trailed by three points.

But Ikeys quickly regained the upper hand as Alex Vermeulen carried over the line to score, extending their lead. Despite a solid response from UJ, Ikeys remained clinical in their finishing.

With minutes remaining, Ikeys were awarded a penalty and Duran Rayn Koevort made no mistake, slotting the ball through the posts to secure the win for the visitors.

FNB NWU Eagles 117-19 FNB CUT

NWU Eagles secured a convincing victory against CUT Ixias at the Fanie du Toit Sportsground on Monday night but it wasn’t enough to earn a semi-final spot.

Ixias opened the scoring through Zachery Bester, taking a 5-0 lead but the Eagles quickly responded. Tian van Zyl’s try leveled the score at 5-5 before Ntobeko Shezi and Luan van der Walt’s double extended their advantage to 26-5.

Matthew Fortuin, Indiphile Tyeda, and Sean Roulston piled on the points. CUT’s Kevin Strydom scored late to make it 52-12 but the Eagles’ dominance was clear by half-time as they went into the break with a commanding 52-12 lead.

Eagles continued their dominance in the second half, quickly extending their lead through Matthew Fortuin and Chyle van Zyl. CUT responded with a try from Raydon Swartbooi but the Eagles remained relentless, with Guhan du Bois, Luan van der Walt and Naiden Jaarts adding to the tally. By the 65th minute, the Eagles had reached 100 points, leaving CUT struggling to keep up.

Indiphile Tyeda and Tian van Zyl added late tries before Stehan Heymans sealed the emphatic victory with a last-minute penalty.

FNB Wits 7-47 FNB Maties

Wits were sent packing by a dominant Maties team, who worked hard to secure a commanding victory at Wits Rugby Stadium on Monday evening.

The visitors delivered a brilliant defensive effort in the first half, keeping Wits scoreless while racking up a 21-0 lead to the disappointment of the home crowd.

Despite their best efforts, Wits couldn’t put any points on the board, as the men from Stellenbosch ran rampant. Maties’ first half tries came courtesy of a brace from CJ Erasmus and an incredible solo effort from outside centre Grant de Jager. Inside centre CJ Marx was in fine form with the boot, converting all three tries for the Maroon Machine.

The second half saw Maties pick up where they left off, scoring immediately from the kick-off. Scrumhalf Mckyle Volmoer charged down a Wits clearance kick to dot down. The visitors continued to dominate the physical exchanges, making life difficult for Wits.

However, the hosts refused to roll over and tested the Maties’ defense, which held firm.

Wits were once again guilty of too many errors, which kept them pinned in their own half. Maties hooker Erasmus completed his hat-trick in the second half, while Wits finally got on the board at the death through replacement loose forward Risima Khosa, with Tireque Apolles adding the conversion. By the time the final whistle blew, it was the Maroon Machine who walked away with their heads held high after a resounding victory.

FNB UP-Tuks 35-48 FNB UFS Shimlas

Shimlas had the last say as they claimed victory against Tuks at Tuks Stadium.

The visitors strike first Jacobus Bezuidenhout opens the scoring from close range and Giddy converts. It didn’t last long as Tuks’ Edwin Till dropped down over the whitewash levelling the score 7-7. At 25 minutes, Shimlas hit back immediately after Nkoka Ngobe dived over for the point of origin try which was converted by flyhalf Bradley Pierre Giddy.

Kirwin du Preez silenced the Tuks fans and the Shimlas stretch their lead to 23-7 after 35 minutes - the half-time score.

In the second half, the hosts managed to compose themselves as they tried to get back to the game, at 44 minutes Hayn Kemp dragged his side bag into the game. After a great support line from his forwards Kemp got the lucky bounce to score a point of origin try for the Stripe Generation, taking the score 23-16.

It was back-to-back tries for the Stripe Generation as Bayanda Ngubane scored for the log leaders as he tried to cut down the deficit. But Shimlas was not going to sit back as Ben Pitout widened the gap once again. Eventually the visitors walked away with all the points at the Capital.

Fixtures

Semi-final 1: FNB Tuks v FNB UCT, 7 April, @ Tuks Stadium (4.45pm).

Semi-final 2: FNB Maties v FNB UFS Shimlas, 7 April, @ Danie Craven Stadium (7pm).