FNB Varsity Cup Round 6 saw the Orange Army continue their march towards the semi-finals with a victory over a struggling Ixias side. FNB UP-Tuks came back from 14 points down to beat the Emeris Comets and claim top spot on the log while the Shimlas kept their semi-final hopes alive with a crucial bonus-point victory over defending champions Ikey Tigers. In Stellenbosch, the Maroon Machine edged FNB NWU Eagles with a tight four-point win.
FNB CUT 13 – 29 FNB UJ
A hard-fought 29-13 win over the FNB CUT Ixias in a wet and gritty Bloemfontein encounter – a scoreline that hardly reflects how tight the contest really was. A late flurry of tries from the Orange Army sealed a valuable bonus-point victory, completing a double over the Bloemfontein sides and leaving FNB UJ firmly on the brink of a semi-final spot – a remarkable turnaround less than a year after they narrowly avoided relegation.
Scorers:
FNB CUT: (3) 13 Tries : Jean-Louis Theron (POR)
FNB UJ : (5) 29 Tries: Francois Prinsloo, JT Kapank, Toy Engelbrecht, Coun-Lee Koekman, Exauce Kevani.
FNB Player of the Match: Jeandre Uithaler (FNB UJ)
Teams:
FNB CUT: Devinto Vergotine, Kutlo Seyoko, Matthys Malan, Winton Abrahams, Jade Muller, Kehan Myburgh, Raydon Swartbool, Hope Seyaga, Dean Sciocatti, Jordan Davids, Oyama Frans, Petrus Nel, Vuyo Holiday, Tokelo Ntaopane (c), Jan-Hendrik Bessenger.
FNB UJ: Jeandre Uithaler, Mnelisi Gamede, Tholithemba Sibisi, Reuven Ferreira, Zenkosi Mthiyane, Nicallen Gabrielsen, Berwyn Bosch, Thabang Mphafi (c), Kamo Molefe, Toy Engelbercht, Juan Fourie, Jaythen Orange, Damian Baker, Francois Prinsloo, Sifiso Magwaza.
FNB Maties 30 – 26 FNB NWU Eagles
A top of the table clash unfolded in the penultimate round of the FNB Varsity Cup as third placed FNB Maties hosted table-toppers FNB NWU Eagles. The sides clashed on Monday night as the battle for semi-final spots intensifies. Both sides traded penalties in a swirling wind to get on the scoreboard during the opening 15 minutes. The first half proved to be a battle of wits that swayed in the direction of the home side. The visitors came out of the dressing room like a team on a mission in the second half to score two tries in the space of eight minutes after the restart but the Maroon Machine maintained their belief and prevailed in a 30 – 26 win at home.
Scorers:
FNB Maties: (18) 30 Tries: PENALTY TRY, Louis Fourie, CJ Erasmus, Keanuh Michaels, Louw Du Toit
FNB NWU Eagles: (3) 26 Tries: Raniel Turner, Leejay Petersen, Logan Janeke.
FNB Player of the Match: Ruan van Willing (FNB NWU Eagles)
Teams:
FNB Maties: Janlu Basson, CJ Erasmus, Keanuh Michaels, Zuko Poswa, Luan Botha, Fortune Mpofu, Louw Dut Toit, Tjaart Joubert, Ezekier Ngobeni (C), Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Huhgo Van Zitters, CJ Marx, Ryan Manuel, Louis Fourie, Elridge Jack, Luthando Makula, Jason Johnson, Ammaar Burton, Luke Swartz, Ethan Snyman, Mckyle Volmoer, Sebastian Hahn, Simon Liversage.
FNB NWU Eagles: Alethwa Buthelezi, Jordan Mcloughlin, Jason Oosthuizen, Stephan Krugel (C), Raniel Turner, Ricardo Fourie, Tian Van Zyl, Guhan Du Bois, Zack Serfontein, Ruan van Willing, Logan Janeke, Leejay Petersen, Matthew Fortuin, Luyolo Doyi, Luan Van der Walt, Hanro Venter, Lachibo Tchokonte-Nana, Jaco Du Toit, Schalk Du Plessis, Sean Roulston, Gary Otto, MJ Mostert, Jamaine Dampies
FNB UFS Shimlas 40 – 33 FNB UCT Ikeys
It was a proper humdinger at Shimla Park – a match that took a while to find its rhythm, but once it did, it exploded into a classic Varsity Cup thriller packed with big-match intensity. Shimlas fought hard to take a slender 12-10 lead into half-time but the second half burst into life in the 48th minute when winger Kirwan du Preez finished a superb point-of-origin try for UFS. Moments later, Erich Visser crossed from a quick tap, stretching the lead to what looked like a commanding 18 points. The defending champions hit back with real intent and wiped out the deficit in the blink of an eye. With their season hanging by a thread, the Shimlas refused to lie down and fought hard to stay in the hunt as the race for the semi-finals heads into the final round of league fixtures.
Scorers:
FNB UFS Shimlas: (12) 40 Tries: Vice Hofmeyer, Jaco Bezuidenhout X2, Kirwin du Preez (POR), Erich Visser, Ferdie Vergottini.
FNB UCT Ikey: (10) 33 Tries: Isaiah Louw, Sino Brawen (POR), Jack Benade (POR), Johan Lombard.
FNB Player of the Match: Henri van Heerden (FNB UFS Shimlas).
Teams:
UFS Shimlas: Gunter van Rensburg, Kirwin du Preez, Wynand Botha, Freddie Dreyer, Siviwe Zondani, Bradley Giddy (c), Alastair-Cole Vermeulen, Liam Shamburg, Sandile Nzuza, Henri van Heerden, Juan Venter, HJ de Beer, Ongeziwe Mobo, Vice Hofmeyer, Musa Moshoaliba
FNB UCT Ikeys: Setshaba Mokoena, Jack Benade, Kian Davis, Amahle Mazibuko, Lezane Davis, Alex Vermeulen, Monray Daars, Aidan Norris, Aiden De Costa, Isaiah Louw, Adam de Waal, Enos Ndiao (captain), Phiko Zuka, Nic van Schalkwyk, Matthew Beckett.
FNB UP-Tuks 27 – 24 FNB Emeris
The Stripe Generation had to dig deep to secure a victory over FNB Emeris at home. In the battle of David and Goliath, the visitors struck first courtesy of Jayden Fortuin. The visitors were not done as they continued their sensational attacks and took a lead of 12 points, while the home struggled to connect and barely formed any attacks. In the second half, Tuks came back and proved strong on set plays, turning it to their advantage and piling pressure on the Emeris defence. Divan Du Toit ended the match to seal a very narrow 27 – 24 victory for Tuks.
Scorers:
FNB UP-Tuks: (15) 27 Tries: Jean Fourie X3, David Engongo, Dillon Smith.
FNB Emeris: (19) 24 Tries : Jayden Fortuin, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Edward Sigauke, Jacques Marais.
FNB Player of the Match: Jean Fourie (FNB UP-Tuks)
Teams:
FNB UP-Tuks: Buhle Mpaka, Jean Fourie, Jayd Austin, Ben Jansen van Vuuren, David Engongo, Abel Pretorius, Jacques Oberholzer, Dillon Smith ©, Chad-Lee Valentine, Jaedon de Leeuw, Buhle Planga, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Munashe Dukuswa, Andile Myeni, Van Reenen Kruger.
FNB Emeris: Thabo Njapha, Andrew Davis, Nathi Ntuli, Garren Muller, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Thando Luthuli, Meno Barnard, Juan Orde Steyl, Christian Els, Frederick Marx, Edward Sigauke, Mambo Mkhize, Chris Horak, Jayden Fortuin, Chijindu Okonta.
Courtesy Varsity Cup
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