Round 2 of Varsity Cup 2014 was played on Monday.
UCT demolished Maties by 33 / 16, Tuks rumbled past Wits by 53 / 8, Pukke put Shimlas to the sword by 48 / 29 and NMMU scored a last gasp try to beat UJ by 21 / 15.
The Varsity Cup is certainly providing a few surprises in 2014, with NMMU the surprize package so far and Maties the most disappointing side to date.
Ikeys double Maties pain:
FNB UCT handed Cape rivals FNB Maties their second consecutive FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International defeat in a gripping match in Stellenbosch.
It was just UCT’s second-ever Varsity Cup win against Maties, and their first in Stellenbosch, leaving the three-time champions winless after two rounds following their defeat against the FNB NMMU Madibaz last week.
The UCT forward pack made a big early statement with a powerful scrum which had the home team back-pedalling, but it was Maties who scored first when a swift counter-attack resulted in centre Johnny Kôtze diving over for the try.
Both teams were intent on playing the game in opposition territory, with the two flyhalf’s trading a series of tactical kicks, although there were some basic mistakes from both sides which robbed them of continuity.
Maties were struck a blow just after the first strategy break when flank Beyers de Villiers was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle and UCT took advantage immediately as Jason Klaasen crashed over for a try from a line-out drive.
Former Maties flyhalf Dean Grant slotted the tough conversion and they followed that up with another try soon afterwards as some slick handling saw wing Lihleli Xoli dive over in the corner to give the Ikeys a 13-8 lead.
With De Villiers’ time in the sin bin yielding two tries for UCT, Maties set about looking for a response before half-time, but it was the visitors who would add to their total with a late Grant penalty giving them a 15-8 advantage at half-time.
Things got even worse for Maties when Klaasen got over for his second try which had to be confirmed by the TMO after the ball had been ripped from Xoli’s grip by Maties fullback Craig Barry.
The touchline conversion from Grant put UCT firmly in control with a 23-8 lead, and it looked a long way back for the home side.
With their tails up, the Ikeys looked to pile the pressure on their hosts who found themselves defending their tryline once again before long, with Klaasen denied a hat-trick by the TMO who ruled that there had been a double movement.
A great break from Grant should have resulted in a try, but captain Liam Slatem took the chance to kick for goal to extend their lead to a commanding 25-8 at the second strategy break.
That left them two converted tries ahead, and the desperate Maties threw everything at them as they looked for a response, which came from flyhalf Robert du Preez who floated through a gap to score.
That left the home side needing to score twice in the last five minutes to take a dramatic comeback victory, but it was UCT skipper Liam Slatem who had the final say as he scrambled over for a try after a great break from centre Huw Jones.
The final Score was FNB UCT 33 / 16 FNB Maties.
The scorers:
For FNB Maties:
Try: Kôtze (1), Du Preez (1)
Cons: Du Preez (2)
For FNB UCT:
Tries: Klaasen (2), Xoli (1), Slatem (1)
Cons: Grant (3)
Pens: Grant (2)
Teams:
FNB Maties: 15 Craig Barry, 14 Clearance Khumalo, 13 Mark Hodgskiss, 12 Johnny Kôtze, 11 Caleb Smith, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Nel, 8 Tertius Daniller (Captain), 7 Lungelo Chonco, 6 Beyers de Villiers, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Brendon Pitzer, 2 Freddie Kirsten, 1 Niel Oelofse
Replacements: 16 Charl de Villiers, 17 Wesley Adonis, 18 Ian Groenewald, 19 Justin Benn, 20 Jean Nel, 21 Chris Smith, 22 Louis Jordaan, 23 Liam Hendricks.
FNB UCT: 15 Ross Jones-Davies, 14 Richard Stewart, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Guy Schwikkard, 11 Lihleli Xoli, 10 Dean Grant, 9 Liam Slatem (Captain), 8 Vince Jobo, 7 Shaun McDonald, 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Jan Uys, 3 Digby Webb, 2 Neil Rautenbach, 1 Joel Carew
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 David Maasch, 18 Guy Alexander, 19 Zakeyo Tinetenda, 20 James Alexander, 21 Martin Sauls, 22 David Strachan, 23 Robin Murray.
Yellow card: Beyers de Villiers (Dangerous tackle)
Referees: Daniel Fortuin, Francois Pretorius
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
Tuks brush Wits aside:
Defending champions FNB UP-Tuks scored seven tries in a 53-8 demolition of FNB Wits in Johannesburg on Monday.
Former Junior Springbok centre Dries Swanepoel scored a hat-trick as his team dismissed the threat of last year’s wooden spoonists who are still looking for their first win in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhhoff International.
Wits coach Andy Royle had called for his side to make a strong start to the game and he got his wish when they drew first blood, but those were also the last points his team would score on the night.
Wing Wilton Peterson grabbed an intercept and put scrumhalf Matt Torrance over for the try which he converted as well.
Stunned by this initial setback UP-Tuks regrouped well and it was not long before they were on the scoreboard with former Junior Springbok captain Wiaan Liebenberg getting over for a try which levelled the scores at 8-8.
That try was followed up by a double from big centre Dries Swanepoel who used his physicality to brush some Wits defenders aside and give his side a comfortable 21-8 lead at the half-time break.
Swanepoel, who partnered Springbok centre Jan Serfontein at Grey College, got over for his hat-trick try which also secured the bonus point for UP-Tuks shortly after half-time, leaving Wits scrambling to get back into the game.
UP-Tuks captain Reniel Hugo was next to score from a driving maul, and wing Jade Stighling and replacement Leneve Damens also got on the scoreboard as the visitors ran away with it.
The scorers:
For FNB Wits:
Try: Torrance (1)
Con: Torrance (1)
For FNB UP-Tuks:
Tries: Liebenberg (1), Swanepoel (3), Hugo (1), Stighling (1), Damens (1)
Cons: Schoeman (6)
Teams:
FNB Wits: 15 Ruhan Nel, 14 Wilton Petersen, 13 Divan Ferguson, 12 Mandla Dube, 11 Joshua Jarvis, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Matt Torrance, 8 Jason Fraser, 7 JJ Breet, 6 JP Jonck, 5 Rinus Bothma, 4 Devin Montgomery (Captain), 3 Gideon Muller, 2 Ashley Kohler, 1 Kyle Wood
Replacements: 16 Peter van Biljon, 17 James Marx, 18 Rendani Ramovha, 19 Thato Mavundla, 20 Senna Esterhuizen, 21 Nkuli Gamede, 22 Ish Nkolo, 23 Ferdinand Kelly.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Ryan Nell, 11 Kefentse Mahlo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Carlo Engelbrecht, 8 Rudolph Smith, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Reniel Hugo (Captain), 4 Dennis Visser, 3 Basil Short, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Brummer Badenhorst, 18 Jannes Kirsten, 19 Leneve Damens, 20 Emile Temperman; 22 Francois Tredoux, 22 Jacques Rossouw, 23 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Referees: Tahla Ntshakaza, Jaco Kotze
Pukke power on past Shimlas:
FNB NWU-Pukke scored five second-half tries to romp to an impressive 48-29 bonus-point win over FNB UFS-Shimlas in Potchefstroom on Monday.
The fired up hosts’ intensity was immediately apparent as they made some massive hits in the opening minutes that made their intentions clear.
UFS-Shimlas were on the attack for most of the opening 10 minutes but handling errors deep inside NWU-Pukke’s half and a powerful home scrum, which won two pressure-relieving penalties, kept the visitors at bay.
NWU-Pukke looked the more threatening of the teams with the little early possession they had, attacking with fluency and width. In discipline by UFS-Shimlas scrumhalf Kevin Luiters – who attempted to stomp on lock Peet van der Walt – put the men in blue under pressure.
However, excellent set-piece play, first stealing a five-metre line-out and then managing a tighthead after the ball had been taken back at the previous line-out, saw UFS-Shimlas escape and the game remaining scoreless going into the first strategy break.
UFS-Shimlas got on the board in the 23rd-minute courtesy of a majestic offload out of the back of the hand by wing Maphutha Dolo, who found Oupa Mohoje in support.
The flank was brought down metres short but managed an offload of his own to No.8 Neill Jordaan, who went over for a scintillating try. The conversion was wide but the visitors finally had some reward for their territorial dominance.
NWU-Pukke hit back as captain Tiaan Dorfling exploited the lack of sufficient pillar defence to run in a soft try from 10 metres out, with a successful conversion by centre Adriaan Engelbrecht, who scored 23 points and produced a goal-kicking masterclass, giving the hosts an 8-5 lead.
A quick tap by Luiters and a well-timed pass to Joubert Engelbrecht saw the centre spin out of a tackle and dot down in the corner on the stroke of half-time after a sustained period of pressure. Star flyhalf Gouws Prinsloo kicked the touchline conversion to give UFS-Shimlas a deserved 13-8 lead at the break.
NWU-Pukke changed the complexion of the game moments after the interval as they scored twice within eight minutes, Engelbrecht bashing over following good phase play before fullback Sylvian Mahuza intercepted and ran all of 80 metres to put the hosts up 24-13.
A converted try by lock Neil Claasen, who burrowed over from a metre out, reduced the deficit to three before an explosive run by NWU-Pukke flyhalf Johnny Welthagen saw him score the bonus-point try and restore the 11-point lead.
The lead ballooned to 19 prior to the second strategy break as wing Edmar Marais fielded an aimless kick and broke four tackles to all but seal victory for NWU-Pukke.
Marais, after his spectacular solo try, was yellow carded for tripping opposite number Dolo, who went on to bag a bonus point for the visitors with a try at the death.
Mahuza had the final say for NWU-Pukke, though, as he pounced on a loose ball and scored his second try in the final play of the game.
The scorers:
For FNB NWU-Pukke:
Tries: Dorfling (1), Engelbrecht (1), Mahuza (2), Welthagen (1), Marais (1)
Cons: Engelbrecht (6)
For FNB UFS-Shimlas:
Tries: Jordaan (1), Engelbrecht (1), Claasen (1), Dolo (1)
Cons: Prinsloo (3)
Yellow card: Edmar Marais (FNB NWU-Pukke).
Teams:
FNB NWU-Pukke: 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Edmar Marais, 13 Jaap Pienaar, 12 Adriaan Engelbrecht, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Johnny Welthagen, 9 Tiaan Dorfling (Captain), 8 Juan Language, 7 Henro-Pierre Swart, 6 Rhyk Welgemoed, 5 Francois Robbertse, 4 Peet van der Walt, 3 Elardus Venter, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Mashudu Mafela
Replacements: 16 Marius Fourie, 17 Johan Smith, 18 Daniel Jordaan, 19 Robey Labuschagne, 20 Dillon Smit, 21 Rhyno Smith, 22 Lucian Cupido, 23 Lhlanhla Ngoama.
FNB UFS-Shimlas: 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Maphutha Dolo, 13 Robbie van Schalkwyk, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Sethu Tom, 10 Gouws Prinsloo, 9 Kevin Luiters, 8 Neill Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Neil Claasen, 4 Fanie van der Walt, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Elandré Huggett (Captain), 1 Rudolf Botha
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Gideon Bruwer, 18 Johan van der Hoogt, 19 Gerhard Oivier, 20 Kay-Kay Hlongwane, 21 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 22 Divandré Strydom, 23 Justin Pappin.
Referees: Oregopotse Rametsi, Stefan Geldenhuys
TMO: Willie Vos
Last-gasp Madibaz pip UJ:
A last-minute try from flank Chris Cloete saw the FNB NMMU Madibaz take a dramatic 21-15 victory over FNB UJ in Johannesburg on Monday.
The home side looked to have victory wrapped up, but NMMU had other ideas as Cloete – who scored five tries against FNB Maties last week – crashed over from a driving maul to clinch victroy.
It is a second consecutive win to start the season for the Madibaz, following their big win at home against Maties last week, whilst UJ are still looking for their first win after ending deadlocked with defending champions FNB UP-Tuks last week.
The home side struck first with wing Michael Haznar sneaking over in the corner after a number of phases in the Madibaz 22 had created an overlap out wide.
However, it was the visitors who would go into the half-time break with an 8-5 lead as a break from wing Yamkela Ngam in his own half saw him dot down between the poles, with flyhalf Gavin Hauptfleisch adding the conversion.
The Eastern Cape side increased that lead shortly after the break, with fullback Donovan Marais crossing the whitewash after another great break from their own territory.
UJ wasted an opportunity from an attacking scrum, and the Madibaz backline pounced, with Marais rounding off a flowing movement that started in their own half.
The home side regrouped after that setback and launched a sustained period of pressure in NMMU territory which eventually resulted in lock David Antonites crashing over for a try in the corner from a driving maul.
The conversion from Schmidt levelled the scores at 13-13, and the game was there for the taking for either side in the final 20 minutes.
Both teams were reduced to 14 men when a scuffle broke out after the try was scored, with Haznar and Madibaz hooker Martin Ferreira both sent to cool off in the sin bin.
The final stages of the match were incredibly tense, with both teams looking to snatch a late victory. UJ flyhalf Jaco van der Walt had a chance from a drop-goal but pulled it wide before Schmidt stepped up to slot the penalty kick that gave them a slender 15-13 lead.
However, the Madibaz were intent on playing right to the final whistle and they got the ultimate reward when Cloete powered over the line to seal a dramatic victory.
The scorers:
For FNB UJ:
Tries: Haznar (1), Antonites (1)
Con: Schmidt (1)
Pen: Schmidt (1)
For FNB NMMU Madibaz:
Tries: Ngam (1), Marais (1), Cloete (1)
Cons: Hauptfleisch (2)
Yellow cards: Michael Haznar (Foul play) Martin Ferreira (Foul play)
Teams:
FNB UJ: 15 Marais Schmidt, 14 PJ Walters, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Michael Haznar, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Jacques Pretorius (Captain), 8 Kobus Porter, 7 Victor Seketekete, 6 Tiaan MacDonald, 5 David Antonites, 4 Shane Kirkwood, 3 Van Zyl Botha, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Wiseman Kamanga
Replacements: 16 Jannes Snyman, 17 Devon Martinus, 18 Fabian Booysen, 19 Dylan Peterson, 20 Lukas van Zyl, 21 Juan Kotze, 22 Peter Morton, 23 Hendrik Bredenkamp.
FNB Madibaz: 15 Donovan Marais, 14 Tythan Adams, 13 Michael Bernardt, 12 Andile Jho, 11 Yamkela Ngam, 10 Gavin Hauptfleisch, 9 Daniel Acker, 8 Timothy Agaba, 7 Marcel Groenewald, 6 Christopher Cloete, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Stefan Willemse, 3 Dexter Fahey, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Roy Godfrey (Captain)
Replacements: 16 Greg Bauer, 17 Nicolas Roebech, 18 Louis Fourie, 19 Wade Elliot, 20 Ivan Ludick, 21 Stefanus Booysen, 22 Ayabula Dlepu, 23 Simon Kerrod.
Referees: Jaco van Heerden, Ben Crouse