Maroon Machine demolishes the Ixias, Ikeys hand Tuks their first defeat and there's a thriller in Bloem

A 12-try thriller in Bloemfontein was the highlight of FNB Varsity Cup Round 3 where defending champions FNB UFS held on to narrowly beat a surging Orange Army. In Stellenbosch the FNB Maties demolished FNB CUT at Danie Craven on Monday night to top the log standings while on the FNB UCT Ikeys handed the Stripe Generation their first defeat of the season.

FNB Shimlas 49-45 FNB UJ

The UFS Shimlas held on for a narrow win against UJ at Shimla Park during the third round of FNB Varsity Cup.

In what was a thriller written in two halves, Shimlas dominated the opening 40 minutes but the Orange Army fought like Trojans in the second stanza.

Shimlas wasted no time in registering the first points of the match, with fiery flanker Ramon Uys crossing the try line. Flyhalf Bradley Giddy slotted the conversion and added a monster 55m penalty shortly after. UJ struck back through hooker Ryan Marimo but their joy was short-lived as Uys went over for his brace.

Centre Adriano Jackson managed to score a point-of-origin try for the visitors, reducing the deficit to just three points. However, a try by hooker Vice Hofmeyer and a point-of-origin try by scrumhalf Hlumelo Klaas saw Shimlas secure a bonus point and take a commanding 40-14 lead at half-time.

In the second period, UJ took the game to the defending champions, capitalising as the home team played with 14 men for 20 minutes following yellow cards to loosehead prop Ntokozo Hlophe and replacement forward Marno Stopforth.

A second try by Jackson, along with scores from Dylan Viljoen, Ughan Africa and Alzeadon Felix, nearly saw UJ over the line. However, they were denied by a crucial seven-point try from Lilitha Lunqe, which put the game out of reach.

For the second week in a row, Ramon Uys earned the right to wear the pink shorts, claiming the Player that Rocked accolade.

FNB Wits 34-39 FNB NWU Eagles

NWU Eagles survived a late scare at the Wits Rugby Stadium to claim a gasp win over the Witsies.

Both Wits and Eagles entered the game winless in two attempts, with this game serving as an early do-or-die for both teams.

The game started as expected, with both teams going all out in a ping-pong battle. The first 30 minutes saw a low-scoring affair, with Wits scoring two penalties, courtesy of their skipper and flyhalf Setshaba Mokoena. The Eagles crossed the whitewash twice, with Tsepo Tlaka and Hanro Venter dotting down to make the score 12-6 to the visitors.

However, the Witsies ended the half on a high note after a darting run from their outside back, Liyema Matyolweni, broke the line, with Setshaba Mokoena adding a seven-point cherry on top under the posts. Mokoena then converted his try to give the hosts a 15-12 lead at the break.

The second half saw the script flip, with the Eagles adding a staggering four tries to the Witsiestwo. It was not always smooth sailing for the visitors, who had the wind knocked out of their sails when a brilliant seven-point try by Lindani Dweba caused a late scare. The conversion attempt that would’ve levelled matters at 36 points apiece went astray. The Eagles then had the last laugh, with a late penalty sealing the victory.

FNB Maties 54-0 FNB CUT

The Maties made it three victories in a row when they demolished CUT Ixias at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

The Maroon Machine massacred the Ixias after they led 28-0 at half-time.

What makes the Maties victory so significant was that visitors from the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein boasted an unbeaten record coming into this third-round fixture.

Coach Randall Modiba’s men managed to beat UJ and FNB UCT in their first two games of the season, despite having to face various setbacks.

However, Kabamba Floors' charges put in a ruthless performance based on a completely dominant set-piece.

The home side completely dominated the scrums and the line-outs which made things exceedingly difficult for the Free Staters.

Floors can be particularly happy with the way his side stuck to their plan and accurate execution of their game plan.

Even though it was a magnificent team effort from the Stellenbosch side, it was flank Luan Botha who stood out with his strong carries and yeoman work at the breakdowns. He was deservedly named the Player that Rocks.

FNB UCT Ikeys 36-29 UP-Tuks

A back-and-forth contest unfolded in Cape Town as the Ikeys chased their second win of the season while UP-Tuks looked to maintain their 100% record.

Ntokozo Makhaza booted Ikeys into the lead after five minutes before scoring the first try of the match just moments later. The move started from inside UCT’s half meaning they bagged a seven-point score with Makhaza converting his try for a 12-0 lead.

Tuks got onto the scoreboard in identical fashion, as JP Wentzel slotted a penalty straight in front before Ruan van Blommestein crashed over the line – only this time the men from Pretoria couldn’t manage a seven-pointer. Wentzel made no mistake with the conversion as UCT held a slender 12-10 lead after 15 minutes.

Keagan Blanckenberg bulldozed his way over the line shortly after the minute mark while Makhaza’s kicking was once again on point.

UP-Tuks pressed on to get themselves back in the game and were rewarded for their persistence. UCT lock Enos Ndia was sent to the sin bin for foul play and the away side made that numerical advantage count as Andile Myeni strolled over UCT’s try line.

The first half came to a frantic finish as UCT’s Luke Burger slipped through a few tackles to dot down underneath the posts that sent the hosts into an 11-point lead after another Makhaza conversion. Burger went from hero to villain after receiving a yellow card for a dangerous tackle after half an hour.

The visitors capitalized on the numerical advantage once again as van Blommestein crashed over the line in the right-hand corner. JP Wentzel's conversion hit the upright and stayed out of the deficit, giving UCT a four-point lead at the break.

Both sides picked up yellow cards late into the second half as UCT captain Siphomezo Dyonase was sin-binned for a high tackle. Tuks’ Abel Pretorius then joined the UCT skipper in the bin shortly after a maul infringement.

UCT made that advantage count just two minutes later as Kian Davis scored the all-important try with 12 minutes left on the clock. Tuks pushed until the final moments and threatened but it was the Ikeys who held firm and kept the visitors out for a tight win at the Green Mile.