FNB UP-Tuks beat defending champions FNB UCT to move to the top of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International standings.
The Pretoria side have not lost to the Ikeys since the 2011 final, and they continued their dominance over the Cape side by scoring 6 tries to hand UCT their first away defeat since 2013.
They are separated from FNB NWU-Pukke on points difference after the Potchefstroom outfit was held to a dramatic 26 / 26 draw by FNB Maties in Stellenbosch.
NWU-Pukke looked set to record their first victory over Maties since the inaugural competition in 2008, but a late try from lock Ian Groenewald saw the 3-time champions fight back for their 2nd bonus point draw in as many weeks.
Both teams scored 4 tries in windy conditions at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, with Maties forced to fight back for the draw after having the same done to them by the Ikeys on the Green Mile last week.
In Johannesburg FNB UFS-Shimlas showed impressive discipline to shut FNB UJ out and record a valuable 24 / 0 win on the road, whilst the top 4 is rounded off by FNB NMMU who secured a comfortable 34 / 13 victory over newcomers FNB CUT despite being shown 5 Yellow cards.
The Madibaz were reduced to 12 men at one stage, but showed plenty of character to hold out under pressure and secure the full 5 points in front of their home crowd in Port Elizabeth, with 5 tries to go along with their 5 Yellow cards.
UFS-Shimlas will take plenty of confidence from their 2nd half performance, scoring 3 unanswered tries after a scoreless 1st half in Johannesburg to leave them just 1 Log point off the pace in 3rd place.
In the Varsity Shield FNB Wits moved to the top of the standings with big 56 / 13 victory over the FNB UKZN Impi in Pietermaritzburg.
It was the 1st defeat of the season for the Impi, leaving Wits as the only unbeaten side in the competition, with the FNB TUT Vikings in 3rd place after securing a losing bonus point in their 21 / 18 defeat to FNB UWC in Pretoria.
Madibaz (Nmmu) 34 / 13 Ixias (CUT):
A total of 5 Yellow cards couldn’t stop the FNB NMMU-Madibaz from convincingly beating the FNB CUT-Ixias 34-13 in Round 2 of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
18 Unanswered first half points proved to be too much of a deficit for the tournament’s newcomers as NMMU bounced back from defeat in the opening round of the tournament, but the match will be remembered for a total of 6 Yellow cards.
The home side enjoyed much of the possession in the opening minutes of the match but had nothing to show for the sustained pressure on a resolute CUT defence. The pressure would bear fruit in the 7th minute when scrumhalf Daniel Acker took a quick tap-penalty from 5m out and out-foxed the CUT defenders to get the first try of the match.
The struggle continued for CUT as they could not maintain possession long enough to launch a meaningful attack and went further behind in the 21st minute when Daniel Acker got his 2nd try of the match. Ruan Allerston made no mistake with the conversion to hand the home side a 13 / 0 lead.
It went from bad to worse for the Bloem students who were reduced to 14-men 5 minutes later when their captain Frans Sisita received a Yellow card for repeated infringements at the breakdown. NMMU made their numerical advantage count in the 33rd minute when, after sustained pressure, Devon Lailvaux bashed his way through the CUT defence to grab the 3rd try for the home side.
A cagey start to the 2nd half saw plenty of handling errors from both sides, however, it was the home side who would bring up their bonus point in the 48th minute through Tythan Adams who rounded off a flowing move after Devon Lailvaux broke through CUT’s defence and sent Adams through unchallenged.
The Madibaz were reduced to 13 men in the 51st minute when captain CJ Velleman and Arno Ebersohn were given their marching orders for foul play which resulted in an on-field scuffle between both teams. The Madibaz lost another player 2 minutes later when Ivan Du Preez was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements at the breakdown, leaving them with 5 forwards on the field and only 12 men in total.
CUT enjoyed all the possession from that point but the 12 remaining Madibaz players stood firm in defence to keep the away side at bay. They paid for those missed chances as poor defensive work cost them another try when Lailvaux grabbed his 2nd try of the match in the 63rd minute when he brushed off would-be tacklers to score under the posts. Steven Hansel added the extra points.
Hansel would go from hero to villain in the space of a few minutes when he saw Yellow for an infringement at the breakdown and CUT eventually made the extra man count when Ali Mgijima got their 1st try of the match in the 67th minute. Mosego Toolo would add another try for CUT 3 minutes later when he crashed over the try line from close range after massive work from the forward pack to rumble the ball up the field. Jesse du Toit added the extra points to make the score 34 / 13 after 71 minutes.
The Yellow card count rose to 6 in the 75th minute when Tythan Adams was sent off for a dangerous spear-tackle. The match fizzled out from there as the Madibaz claimed their 1st win of the competition.
FNB Player that Rocks: Devon Lailvaux
Scorers:
NMMU:
- Tries: Daniel Acker (2), Devon Lailvaux (2), Tythan Adams (1)
- Conversions: Ruan Allerston (2), Steven Hansel (1)
CUT:
- Tries: Ali Mgijima (1), Mosego Toolo (1)
- Conversions: Jesse du Toit (1)
Yellow Cards: Sisita (CUT, 26 – repeated infringements at the breakdown), Velleman (NMMU, 51 – foul play), Ebersohn (NMMU, 51 – foul play), Du Preez (NMMU, 53 – repeated infringements at the breakdown), Hansel (NMMU, 65 – repeated infringements at the breakdown), Tythan Adams (NMMU, 75 – spear tackle)
Teams:
FNB NMMU: 15 Tythan Adams, 14 Brian Skosana, 13 Creswin Josephs, 12 Devon Lailvaux, 11 Yamkela Ngam, 10 Ruan Allerston, 9 Daniel Acker, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Wynand Grassmann, 6 Cyril-John Velleman (Captain), 5 Robert Louw, 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Steven Robbeson, 2 Dane Van Der Westhuyzen, 1 Arno Ebersohn
Replacements: 16 Warrick Venter, 17 Brenden Olivier, 18 Stephan Zaayman, 19 Ivan Du Preez, 20 Ivan Ludick, 21 Steven Hansel, 22 Eben Barnard, 23 Marzuk Maarman.
FNB CUT: 15 Luke Cyster, 14 Christiaan Erasmus, 13 Ali Mgijima, 12 Duan Pretorius, 11 Mosego Toolo, 10 Naude Van Biljon, 9 Arrie Vosloo, 8 Dean Kouprihanoff, 7 Jean-Claude Fourie, 6 Frans Sisita (Captain), 5 Rayno Nel, 4 Daneel Botes, 3 Gerard Baard, 2 Theuns Truter, 1 Len Noort.
Replacements: 16 Jozua de Jager, 17 Ian Smith, 18 Fanie Coetzer, 19 Victor Maruping, 20 Marius Grobler, 21 Jean Pretorius, 22 Jesse du Toit, 23 Boetie Makethlo.
Referees: Lesego Legoete, Jaco Pretorius
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Christie du Preez
UP-Tuks 39 / 24 Ikeys (UCT):
FNB UP-Tuks scored 6 tries on their way to a 39/ 24 victory over defending FNB Varsity Cup champions UCT in Pretoria.
It was the Ikey’s first away defeat since 2013 as UP-Tuks continued their dominance over the Cape side who have not beaten them since the 2011 final.
The home side got on the scoreboard early on, with left wing Jermaine Kleinsmith crossing untouched on the overlap in the 3rd minute.
The Ikeys responded by driving deep into UP-Tuks territory, but they were held up over the line and the hosts managed to clear their lines to take their 8 / 0 lead into the 1st strategy break.
They doubled that lead soon afterwards when Dan Kriel busted through a tackle to score their 2nd try, and with another conversion from Josh Stander they were 16 / 0 up.
The Ikeys pushed hard as they looked to hit back before the break, but the UP-Tuks defence held up well and they took their 2-try advantage into halftime.
The home side landed another blow at the start of the 2nd half as Ruan Steenkamp crashed over from a driving maul, leaving the defending champions with it all to do.
UP-Tuks wrapped up the bonus point shortly afterwards as Kleinsmith went over for his 2nd try to give them a dominant 29 / 0 lead.
The Ikeys got on the scoreboard when replacement prop Robin Murray barged his way over from close range, but UP-Tuks hit straight back with Steenkamp going over for another maul try to make it 34 / 8.
The visitors got over the whitewash again with captain Guy Alexander getting over after another big effort up front before replacement Paul Cohen crossed in the corner for their 3rd try, but any thoughts of another fairytale comeback fizzled out as UP-Tuks had the final say through Nqobisiswe Mxoli from another rolling maul.
Scorers:
FNB UP-Tuks:
- Tries: Jermaine Kleinsmith (2), Dan Kriel (1), Ruan Steenkamp (2), Nqobisiswe Mxoli (1)
- Conversions: Joshua Stander (3)
FNB UCT:
- Tries: Robin Murray (1), Guy Alexander (1), Paul Cohen (1)
- Conversions: Warren Seals (3)
Teams:
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Duncan Matthews, 14 Riaan Britz, 13 Ryan Nell, 12 Daniel Kriel, 11 Jermaine Kleinsmith, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 André Warner, 8 Jannes Kirsten, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg (Captain), 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Irné Herbst, 3 Andrew Beerwinkel, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Jan Enslin, 17 Nqobisiswe Mxoli, 18 Dennis Visser, 19 Clyde Davids, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Dewald Human, 22 John Jackson, 23 Neethling Fouche.
FNB UCT: 15 Khanyo Ngcukana, 14 Dylan Sage, 13 Brendan Rodgers, 12 Guy Schiwikkard, 11 Lihleli Xoli, 10 Warren Seals, 9 James Alexander, 8 Guy Alexander (Captain), 7 Tinotenda Zakeyo, 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Mark Prior, 3 Digby Webb, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Joel Carew
Replacements: 16 Msizil Zondi, 17 Robin Murray, 18 Jade Kriel, 19 Luke Stringer, 20 Ryan Dugmore, 21 Nicholas Holton, 22 Paul Cohen, 23 Kyle Whyte.
Referees: Quinton Immelman, Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Local
UJ 0 / 24 Shimlas (UFS):
FNB UFS-Shimlas showed impressive discipline to notch a tough 24 / 0 Varsity Cup victory over FNB UJ in Johannesburg.
The Free State side scored 3 unanswered tries to leave the home side frustrated and empty-handed in front of their home crowd.
The match got off to a cagey start, with neither side willing to give an inch on defence. The visitors took the game to UJ, but could not find a way through and it was still scoreless at the 1st strategy break.
The home side enjoyed more possession after the break, but despite a late Yellow card shown to UFS-Shimlas flank Henco Venter for taking a man out in the air at a lineout the teams went into halftime deadlocked at 0 / 0 after a hard-fought opening 40 minutes.
UFS-Shimlas made a determined start to the 2nd half despite being down to 14 men and they were rewarded when replacement prop Conraad van Vuuren crossed the whitewash to finally break the deadlock.
UJ suffered a further setback when experienced lock David Antonites was shown a Yellow card, and UFS-Shimlas took advantage as a try from scrumhalf Mthokozisi Mkhabela doubled their advantage.
A driving maul from a lineout was stopped just short of the line, and Mkhabela was on hand to dart over, with a 2nd conversion from flyhalf Niel Marais putting the visitors 16 / 0 up at the 2nd strategy break.
UJ threw everything at UFS-Shimlas in the final stages, but the Bloemfontein side would have the final say as inside centre Tertius Kruger got over to put a seal on a dominant performance.
FNB Player that Rocks: Niel Marais
Scorers:
FNB UJ:
- None
FNB UFS-Shimlas:
- Tries: Conraad van Vuuren (1), Mthokozisi Mkhabela (1), Tertius Kruger (1)
- Conversions: Niel Marais (3)
Teams:
FNB UJ: 15 Ronald Brown, 14 Bradley Moolman, 13 Robert De Bruyn, 12 Adriaan Vermeulen, 11 Aphiwe Dyanti, 10 James Campbell, 9 Hilton Mudariki, 8 Dylan Peterson, 7 Kyle Van Dalen, 6 Kobus Porter (Captain), 5 David Antonites, 4 Werner Lourens, 3 Nico Du Plessis, 2 Siphatho Qinisile, 1 Gareth Milasinovich
Replacements: 16 Jannes Snyman, 17 Brandon Landsberg, 18 Ettienne Oosthuizen, 19 Wiaan Conradie, 20 Chuma Faas, 21 Jaco Fourie, 22 Dominic Kroezen, 23 Raeez Salie.
FNB UFS-Shimlas: 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Vuyani Maqina, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Mthokozisi Mkhabela, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Niel Claassen, 4 Nicolaas Immelman, 3 Chase Morison, 2 Elandre Huggett, 1 Hennie-Schalk Theron
Replacements: 16 Marco Klopper, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Tienie Burger, 19 Daniel Maartens, 20 Nhlanhla Hlongwane, 21 Stefan Janse van Rensburg, 22 JP Coetzee, 23 Conraad Van Vuuren.
Referees: Oregopotse Rametsi, Archie Sehlako
Assistant Referees: Local
Maties 26 / 26 NWU-Pukke:
FNB Maties left it late to snatch a 26-26 draw with FNB NWU-Pukke in Round Two of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
Maties trailed by eight points in the dying minutes of the game before securing their second consecutive draw with a 78th minute try to set up an exciting end to the game.
Pukke got off to the perfect start when scrumhalf Dillon Smit crossed the try line after an exceptional display of offloading from Pukke as they tore through the heart of Maties’ defence. Rhyno Smith made no mistake with the conversion to hand the visitors an 8-0 lead after two minutes.
There was no stopping Pukke as they got a rolling maul to rumble from a 5 metre line-out in the fifth minute, which forced Ernst Stapelberg to enter from the side and left the referee with no choice but to award a penalty try, which Smith converted, to hand the visitors a 16-0 lead after six minutes. Stapelberg was duly sent to the bin for the infringement.
The loss of their flyhalf had no effect on the home side as they found themselves with an attacking line-out on Pukke’s five metre line. The maul was set and they rumbled their way over the try line which saw Kobus van Dyk emerge with the ball. Loubser converted the try to reduce Pukke’s lead to 16-8 after 11 minutes.
It was deja vu two minutes later when another five metre attacking line-out resulted in a maul which saw Maties rumble their way over the try line. Captain Beyers de Villiers emerged with the ball, however, the try went unconverted as Maties reduced the deficit to three points.
The 28th minute saw Pukke being reduced to 14-men after their captain Jeandre Rudolph failed to retreat 10 metres following a quickly taken Maties penalty. Maties would take advantage of their extra man when they scored their third try from yet another maul with de Villiers grabbing his second try of the match to hand Maties an 18-16 lead after 29 minutes.
The second half got off to a frantic start as Pukke took the attack to home side but Maties stood firm in defence and launched attacks of their own the match flowed from one side of the field to the next. The visitors would be the first to score when Smith streaked down the line to collect a Smit box kick and score under the poles. He failed to convert his own try as Pukke led 21-18 after 56 minutes.
The visitors would extend their lead in the 66th minute when Dean Stokes chased down a deft chip from Smith and beat a disparing dive from Maties’ Craig Barry to score in the corner to hand Pukke the bonus point.
Maties threw everything they had at Pukke in the dying minutes of the game and got their reward in the 78th minute when Ian Groenewald bulldozed his way over the try line to secure the bonus point. Brandon Thomson slotted the conversion to tie the game at 26-26. Stokes had a chance to steal the win for Pukke but he knocked the ball on as the try line beckoned and the teams settled for a hard-fought draw.
FNB Player that Rocks: Marno Redelinguys
Scorers:
Maties:
- Tries: Kobus van Dyk (1), Beyers de Villiers (2), Ian Groenewald (1)
- Conversions: Koos Loubser (1), Brandon Thomson (1)
NWU-Pukke:
- Tries: Dillon Smit (1), Penalty Try (1),Rhyno Smith (1), Dean Stokes (1)
- Conversions: Rhyno Smith (2)
Yellow Cards: Stapelberg (Maties, 6 – entering a maul from the side), Rudolph (Pukke, 29 – Not retreating 10 metres)
Teams:
FNB Maties: 15 Mike Muller, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Christoff van Tonder, 12 Koos Loubser, 11 JP Lewis, 10 Ernst Stapelberg, 9 Jean Nel, 8 Devon Nash, 7 Justin Benn, 6 Beyers de Villiers (Captain), 5 Kobus van Dyk, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 AJ de Klerk, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Wesley Adonis
Replacements: 16 Neethling Gericke, 17 Niel Oelofse, 18 Janco Venter, 19 Lungelo Chonco, 20 Bjorn Bernardo, 21 Brandon Thomson, 22 Kyle Leibrandt, 23 John Hubert Meyer.
FNB NWU-Pukke: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Dalen Goliath, 13 Rowayne Beukman, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Dean Stokes, 10 Johnny Welthagen, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Jeandre Rudolph (Captain), 7 Marno Redelinguys, 6 Rhyk Welgemoed, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Loftus Morrison, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Jacques Vermaak, 1 Johan Smith
Replacements: 16 Wian Fourie, 17 Mogau Mabokela, 18 Daniel Jordaan, 19 Molotsi Bouwer, 20 Kurshwill Williams, 21 Marnus Tack, 22 Heinrich Smith, 23 Cayle Denner.
Referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Tahla Ntshakaza
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Deon van Blommestein