The 2024 FNB Varsity Cup will be decided in Bloemfontein on Monday when FNB UFS Shimlas host FNB UCT Ikeys in this year’s final. Ikeys produced a sensational performance to beat defending champions FNB NWU Eagles in their semi-final while Shimlas were equally impressive in their victory over FNB Maties in the other semi-final.
FNB NWU EAGLES 18-32 FNB UCT IKEYS
UCT Ikeys saw off NWU Eagles in a thrilling encounter at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom.
Ikeys began the game in a dominant fashion with left wing Ntokozo Makhaza landing a penalty in the first five minutes. A drop goal by the Eagles’ Zinedine Robinson made the scores even before Ntokozo Makhaza scored another penalty to restore the lead for the visitors.
Tian Van Zyl scored the first try of the game to give the Eagles the lead for the first time in the game. Duran Koevort then responded for the Ikeys with a try before another Makhaza penalty handed UCT a 14-8 lead at half-time.
The visitors began the second period in the same manner with Koevort’s second try and yet another penalty by Makhaza. Mpho Kubheka reduced the deficit with a try for NWU moments after coming on.
A brilliant run by Rethabile Louw saw him distributing to Mika Schubert who scored in the corner for Ikeys. Calvin Clark scored a try in the dying minutes of the game for the Eagles but it was too late as yet another penalty by Makhaza sealed an emphatic victory for UCT.
Scores
FNB NWU Eagles 18 (8) - Tries: Tian van Zyl, Mpho Kubheka, Calvin Clack. Drop Goal: Zinedine Robinson.
FNB UCT Ikeys 32 (14) – Tries: Duran Koevort (2), Mika Schubert. Penalties: Ntokozo Makhaza (5).
FNB Player That Rocks: Reynhardt Crous (FNB UCT Ikeys)
FNB MATIES 24-38 FNB UFS SHIMLAS
UFS Shimlas scored a convincing win over Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
The visitors from Bloemfontein were more accurate in their execution by outscoring the home side by five tries to four in ideal weather conditions.
UFS dominated the first quarter of the game with their forwards and backs combining well to score two tries within the first 20 minutes of the game. The first was a point-of-origin try when fleet-footed fullback Michael Annies crossed over in the corner after 15 minutes. Four minutes later left wing Asanda Kunene crossed over in the opposite corner to give his side a 12-0 lead.
Maties coach Kabama Floors clearly had some harsh words to say at the strategy break after 20 minutes. The home side's forwards started to assert themselves up front. After a few driving mauls, big lock forward Matthys Kitshoff drove over for Maties first five-pointer. Flyhalf Juan Mostert added the extras to reduce the deficit to 12-7 in favour of the visitors at half-time.
Maties immediately hit back from the kick-off after a sniping break by centre Aydon Topley who floated the ball into the hand of left-wing Ezekiel Ngobeni who crossed for the home side's second try. Mostert slotted the conversion from the touchline to narrow the score to 15-12. Shimlas winger Kunene then showed his pace by crossing over for his second with Wentzel coolly slotting the conversion to give his side a 22-12 lead.
The visitors started to show their dominance after the strategy break when replacement Cornelius Volschenk sliced through the middle of the Maties defence to score another try which was converted by Wentzel to stretch the lead to 29-12.
Maties showed character by fighting back through an Aydon Topley try. crossed over in the corner.
In the final 10 minutes, the Maroon Machine went into overdrive sensing the time starting to run out. They had no option but to throw the ball around. UFS outside centre Zane Bester intercepted the ball against the run of play and ran the length of the field to score a converted try to make the score 38-17 in favour of the visitors from Bloemfontein. Maties scored a consolation try by replacement Ammaar Burton in the dying minutes to make the final score 38-24.
Scores
FNB Maties 24 (7) – Tries: Matthys Kitshoff, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Aydon Topley, Ammaar Burton. Conversions: Juan Mostert (2).
FNB UFS Shimlas 38 (12) - Tries: Michael Annies, Asanda Kunene (2), Cornelius Volschenk, Zane Bester. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2). Penalties: Ethan Wentzel.
FNB Player That Rocks: Asanda Kunene (FNB UFS Shimlas)
Comentários