Late drama in FNB Varsity Cup Round 7 as Tuks, NWU, Maties and UJ secure semi-final spots

Dramatic scenes unfolded in FNB Varsity Cup Round 7 as FNB NWU staged an epic comeback from 39-20 down to beat the Ikey Tigers in the dying moments. The Eagles secured a home semi-final and deny the UCT a chance to defend their title. FNB Maties booked their place in the semi-finals with a 45-23 victory over Ixias at CUT Stadium on Monday, a result that also confirmed Ixias’ relegation. FNB UP-Tuks remain top of the log with a dominant 51-22 victory over FNB UJ but the Orange Army still advance after staying in fourth on the log after FNB Emeris closed out their season with a significant win over the Shimlas.

FNB UJ 22-51 FNB UP-Tuks

It was a matured, well-orchestrated and calculated performance that sealed victory for FNB UP-Tuks against FNB UJ at the UJ Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday.

The side from Pretoria laid the foundation in the first half after scoring five tries while they restricted UJ to just two.

They started on the backfoot, however, after the hosts opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Tholithemba Sibisi in the left corner.

JT Kapank extended his side’s lead to 8-0 after slotting over a penalty just outside the halfway line.

Tuks hit back immediately after that and they looked dangerous in attack. Winger, Andile Myeni linked up with Christiaan Volk who crashed over before Jacques Oberholzer crashed over to extend his side’s lead.

Both scores were Point of Origin tries and Tuks were far from done. Obi added his name to the scoresheet before No 8 Akhona Kunene barged over to see his side lead 32-15 at the break.

The second stanza was a completely different ball game. It was low scoring but produced a tactical battle and edge of the seat stuff.

The visitors extended their lead in the 56th minute through replacement scrumhalf, Akha Mjawule before UJ hit back after a well-worked team try which was finished off by Jeandre Uithaler.

Tuks scored two late tries through Dillon Smith and Munashe Dukuswa to seal the win.

FNB Maties 45-23 FNB CUT

Hooker, CJ Erasmus, was the hat-trick hero for the FNB Maties in Bloemfontein as they secured an invaluable victory over CUT Ixias.

For the Ixias, the defeat brings a heartbreaking end to their FNB Varsity Cup dream, as they are relegated after failing to register a single win throughout the campaign.

It didn’t take long for the five-time champions to get on the scoreboard at CUT Stadium, with Erasmus crashing over from a maul. Shortly afterwards, flyhalf Christiaan van Heerden-Smith extended the lead when Maties won a heel against the head at a CUT scrum. He pounced on the loose ball to dot down for an unconverted try.

The Ixias responded with real intent. Hooker Malekela Malothane powered over from a maul to open their account, before flyhalf Devinto Vergotine sliced through to level matters. A penalty by Matthys Malan then edged the hosts into the lead.

As half-time approached, the momentum swung again. Maties nudged ahead with a penalty try before Louis Fourie produced a moment of magic, scoring a Point of Origin try straight from the restart to give the visitors a commanding 26-15 lead at the break.

The hosts came out firing in the second half. Malan added another penalty and Hope Seyaga crossed from a line-out move to close the gap to just three points, setting up a tense contest.

But once the Maroon Machine found their rhythm, they shifted through the gears. Erasmus peeled off the back of a maul for his brace on the hour mark, restoring some breathing room for Maties. Eight minutes later, he was at it again, powering over from yet another dominant maul to seal his hat-trick and put the result beyond doubt.

On the stroke of full-time, replacement tighthead prop Ammaar Burton added the finishing touches after sustained pressure, with fullback Elridge Jack slotting the conversion to compound the Ixias’ misery.

FNB Maties now march confidently into the semi-finals, while for the Ixias it’s a season to forget as they drop down to the Varsity Shield following their relegation.

FNB NWU Eagles 56-53 FNB UCT Ikey

A dramatic victory over FNB UCT Ikeys at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground secured the FNB NWU Eagles a crucial home semi-final, capping one of the most remarkable comebacks of the season.

What looked like a certain defeat at half-time turned into a powerful statement from the Purple Army, who overturned a 39-20 deficit in front of a charged Potchefstroom crowd.

FNB UCT dominated the opening half, running in tries at will and exposing defensive gaps to take a commanding lead into the break, leaving the Eagles with a mountain to climb.

The home side responded immediately after half-time, crossing for a tri within the opening minute to spark belief. Although the Ikeys continued to strike and maintain pressure, the Eagles refused to fade, matching them score for score in a high-tempo second half.

With momentum shifting and the home crowd lifting their side, NWU launched a relentless fightback. Tries from Logan Janeke, MJ Mostert and others kept the scoreboard ticking as the gap steadily closed in a thrilling end-to-end contest.

The decisive moment came in the dying minutes, when Mostert powered over for his second try of the match before the successful conversion sealed a stunning win, sending the home supporters into raptures.

The result confirms NWU’s place in a home semi-final and highlights their resilience under pressure, while UCT will rue a missed opportunity after letting a dominant first-half performance slip.

FNB Emeries 41-19 FNB UFS Shimlas

The FNB Emeries put in a massive display in front of their home fans as they impressively defeated a strong FNB UFS Shimlas team.

It was the Comets that found the score first as 'The Transporter', Edward Sigauke found some space and kicked himself a beautiful chip which he picked up and dotted down. Flyhalf Fedrick Marx made no mistake with the boot to get in the conversion.

A few minutes later, FNB UFS Shimlas responded as their hooker Jacobus Bezuidenhout finished off a beautiful driving maul.

The home team added the pressure as their captain Jacques Marais dotted down after a close line-out deep in the territory of the visitors extended his team lead by a further five points.

The visiting team, Shimlas, increased the tension as a Gunter van Rensberg Point of Origin try was successfully converted by Wynand Botha taking the score to a nervy 14-12, twelve minutes away from half-time.

Just before the hooter, FNB Emeris were able to lift off nerves which were accumulating from the home fans as they successfully worked a tap PowerPlay route. Meno Benard managed to power himself over the try line. Thereafter, Comets right winger Jayden Fortuin displayed beautiful steps to dot down.

This was to be the last action of the half with the score at 22-14.

The second half started even better for the Comets team as they were able to score three minutes into the half through Christian Els.

FNB Emeris were enjoying the game’s momentum and they managed to dot down once again after a beautifully worked team try which saw Thando Luthuli at the end of it with a Marx conversion.

For majority of the game, the ball was played in the half of the visitors, however, Shimlas managed to score their third try of the game after the home team lost concentration Ferdinand Vergottini finding a way through the backline of Emeris

This was to be the last try of the visitors.

Right at the death came a contender for try of the season as Edward Sigauke managed to chase down a massive kick from deep in their half. He left the last man flying with some exquisite steps to run down and dot down a Point of Origin try.