A 21 / 16 victory over FNB Maties in Bloemfontein saw FNB UFS-Shimlas move to the Top of the FNB Varsity Cup standings on Monday.

The Free State side is the only team in the tournament still unbeaten after 4 Rounds of action, while 3-time champions Maties is still looking for their 1st win.

The match was deadlocked at 16 / 16 at halftime, and UFS-Shimlas replacement Daniel Maartens scored the only try of the 2nd half to secure a tough win for the home team and pile more misery on Maties who find themselves in unfamiliar territory in 6th place.

FNB UP-Tuks suffered their 1st defeat of the season against FNB NWU-Pukke in Potchefstroom, but secured 2 bonus points which sees them hold on to 2nd place ahead of FNB UJ who notched an impressive 42 / 13 win against FNB NMMU in Port Elizabeth.

The dramatic 42 / 37 win over UP-Tuks saw NWU-Pukke claim 4th place, just 1 Log point ahead of FNB UCT who scored 12 tries on their way to a 90 / 8 victory over newcomers FNB UCT.

Both teams scored 5 tries in a pulsating game in Potchefstroom, which went right down to the wire before being clinched in the dying stages with a try from NWU-Pukke flank Marno Redelinghuys, who had claimed a clever cross-kick from flyhalf Jonny Welthagen.

In Port Elizabeth UJ ran away with it in the 2nd half, eventually outscoring the Madibaz by 6 tries to 2, while it was one-way traffic from start to finish on the Green Mile where defending champions UCT were merciless in their demolition of the CUT Ixias.

In the Varsity Shield FNB Fort Hare secured a 28 / 18 win over the FNB TUT Vikings in Alice while FNB UKZN beat FNB UWC 21 / 5 in Durban to move just 1 point behind Log-leaders FNB Wits.

In the FNB Varsity Young Guns competition FNB NMMU recorded their 1st-ever win against FNB NWU-Pukke in Potchefstroom, defending champions FNB UFS scored 2 late tries to edge the FNB Junior Maties in Bloemfontein and the FNB UCT Trojans notched a 34 / 24 over FNB CUT Young Guns in Cape Town.

The 2nd round of the Steinhoff Koshuirugby Championship saw 3 away wins, with 3-time champions Steinhoff Vishuis the only home team to win with their dominant performance against Steinhoff Medies in Bloemfontein.

UJ’s Steinhoff Bastion recorded a comprehensive 34 / 0 win over the NMMU Steinhoff Stallions in Port Elizabeth, Steinhoff Mopanie edged Steinhoff Patria 13 / 10 in Potchefstroom and the Steinhoff Cobras from UCT went down to CUT’s Steinhoff Tigers in Cape Town.

 

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FNB UFS-Shimlas (16) 21 / 16 (16) FNB Maties:

FNB UFS-Shimlas went to the top of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International standings with a gritty 21 / 16 victory over FNB Maties in Bloemfontein.

The Free State side is the only team that remains unbeaten after 4 Rounds of action, while Maties are still searching for their 1st win of the season.

UFS-Shimlas made the ideal start to the game as flyhalf Niel Marais touched down and then converted his own try to give them the early advantage.

Maties responded with a try of their own from prop John-Hubert Meyer, and the conversion from flyhalf Ernest Stapelberg saw the teams go into the first strategy break deadlocked at 8 / 8.

The home side took the lead back just after the break through a try from skipper AJ Coertzen in the corner, and the touchline conversion from Marais put them 16 / 8 up.

However, it was not long before the scores were level again, as Maties scrumhalf Bjorn Bernardo collected his own chip kick to score, and the conversion from Stapelberg made it 16 / 16 at the halftime break.

The 2nd half got off to a somewhat scrappy start, with both teams guilty of basic errors which robbed them of momentum and saw them go into the 2nd strategy break with the scores still tied.

The hosts took the lead once again when replacement Daniel Maartens crossed for an uncoverted try just after the break to give them a handy 5-point lead heading into the final stages.

UFS-Shimlas suffered a late blow when flank Henco Venter was sent to the sin bin, but they held on to take the win and remain unbeaten.

Scorers:

FNB UFS Shimlas:

• Tries: Niel Marais (1), AJ Coertzen (1), Daniel Maartens (1)
• Conversions: Niel Marais (2)

FNB Maties:

• Tries: John-Hubert Meyer(1), Bjorn Bernardo (1)
• Conversions: Ernest Stapelberg (2)

Teams:

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 Theuns Neuwoudt
Replacements: 16 Marco Klopper, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Refuoe Rampete, 19 Daniel Maartens, 20 Renier Botha, 21 Stefan Janse van Rensburg, 22 JP Coetzee, 23 Dolph Botha.

FNB Maties: 15 Craig Barry, 14 Jamie Joseph, 13 Christoff van Tonder, 12 Koos Loubser, 11 JP Lewis, 10 Ernest Stapelberg, 9 Bjorn Bernardo, 8 Derick Linde, 7 Justin Benn, 6 Beyers de Villiers, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys (Captain), 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Abel de Klerk, 2 Neethling Gericke, 1 John Hubert Meyer
Replacements: 16 Craig Corbett, 17 Migael Grobler, 18 Lourens Fick, 19 Kobus van Dyk, 20 Remu Malan, 21 Brandon Thomson, 22 Kyle Leibrandt, 23 Jacobus van der Merwe.

 

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FNB NWU-Pukke (26) 42 / 37 (21) FNB UP-Tuks:

FNB NWU-Pukke claimed a dramatic 42 / 37 victory over FNB UP-Tuks in Potchefstroom to hand the visitors their 1st defeat of the season.

Both teams scored 5 tries in a pulsating match that went right down to the wire, and in the end the home side did just enough to secure four valuable log points.

NWU-Pukke made a strong start to the game, and after building pressure in opposition territory the ball was sent wide to wing Dalen Goliath who did well to pick up a tricky pass on the 22 and get over for the try which was converted from the touchline by fullback Rhyno Smith.

The home side went 10 / 0 up shortly afterwards through an easy penalty from Smith, but UP-Tuks hit back with a try by skipper Wiaan Liebenberg who went on a powerful run after some good work from his forwards.

UP-Tuks took the lead when scrumhalf André Warner burst down the blindside to score in the corner, and they added to their advantage when No 8 Clyde Davids burst clean through the NWU-Pukke defensive line to run 40 metres and score under the posts.

The hosts hit back with their 2nd try from left wing Dean Stokes, and he added his 2nd on the stroke of halftime, with both touchline conversions from Smith put NWU-Pukke 26 / 21 up at the break.

The 2nd half got off to a tense start, with both teams making crucial unforced errors and conceding turnovers which meant that NWU-Pukke took their 5-point lead into the 2nd strategy break.

The visitors took the lead back and wrapped up their bonus point when right wing Damian van Wyk got over for their 4th try which put them 29 / 26 ahead once converted by Stander.

However, the seesaw battle continued, and NWU-Pukke took the lead back with their bonus point try which was a brilliant individual effort from scrumhalf Dillon Smit who stepped a few defenders before pinning his ears back and scoring in the corner.

The touchline conversion from Smith gave NWU-Pukke a 34 / 29 lead, but there was still time for more drama as 1st UP-Tuks took the lead back with a try from inside centre John Jackson before NWU-Pukke had the final say.

Trailing 37 / 34 flyhalf Jonny Welthagen put in a cross-kick which found big flank Marno Redelinghuys who barged over to score in the corner, and another touchline conversion from Smith put the seal on a 42 / 37 win.

FNB Player that Rocks: Dillon Smit

Scorers:

FNB NWU-Pukke:

• Tries: Dalen Goliath (1), Dean Stokes (2), Dillon Smit (1), Marno Redelinghuys (1)
• Conversions: Rhyno Smith (5)
• Penalties: Rhyno Smith (1)

FNB UP-Tuks:

• Tries: Wiaan Liebenberg (1), André Warner (1), Clyde Davids (1), Damian van Wyk (1), John Jackson (1)
• Conversions: Joshua Stander (4)

Teams:

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 Ruan Venter, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Jacques Vermaak, 1 Johan Smith
Replacements: 16 Wian Fourie, 17 Mogau Mabokela, 18 Loftus Morrison, 19 Molotsi Bouwer, 20 Malherbe Swart, 21 Juandre Williams, 22 Johannes Briers, 23 Cayle Denner.

FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Riaan Britz, 14 Damian van Wyk, 13 Daniel Kriel, 12 John Jackson, 11 Jermaine Kleinsmith, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 André Warner, 8 Clyde Davids, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg (Captain), 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 Pieter Janse van Vuren, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Dewald Human, 22 Adrian Maebane, 23 Dayan van der Westhuizen.

 

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FNB UCT (29) 90 / 8 (0) FNB CUT:

FNB UCT-Ikeys ran in 12 tries to secure a 90 / 8 victory over FNB CUT-Ixias in the FNB Varsity Cup on the Green Mile in Cape Town.

Braces from Warren Seals, Ryan Dugmore and Khanyo Ngcukana, as well as 6 other scorers handed Ikeys a record breaking victory over the tournament’s newcomers.

Ikeys got off to an ideal start as they took the game to the visitors. A 5m lineout resulted in the home side setting up a driving maul and bulldozed their way over the line. Jason Klaasen emerged with the ball to hand UCT a 5 / 0 lead after 3 minutes as the try went unconverted.

The home side doubled their lead in the 9th minute when flyhalf Warren Seals stepped his way through the Ixias defence from the 22. He brushed himself off and converted the try to extend the lead to 13 / 0.

It was one way traffic as the hosts pilled on the pressure and were soon rewarded with their 3rd try when Ryan Dugmore took a quick tap from the back of the scrum, stepped his way through the CUT defence and stretched for the line, to dot the ball down on the line. Seals added the extra points to extend the lead to 21 / 0 after 18 minutes.

UCT brought up their bonus point in the 33rd minute when Khanyo Ngcukana rounded off a great team effort, which started from a blistering run by hooker Chad Solomon. The ball was quickly sent out wide and found Ngcukana who trotted over the line for an easy score under the uprights. Seals landed his conversion of the game to take the score to 29 / 0.

Both teams were soon down to 14 men each as first Ixias’ Frans Sisita was sent to the bin for repeated infringements at the breakdown and then, 2 minutes later, Dylan Sage of Ikeys got his marching orders for a late charge without the use of his arms.

The 2nd half got underway with an explosive 60-metre run from Seals who brushed aside 3 defenders and cantered over the try line to grab his 2nd try of the match. He duly converted the try to extend the lead to 37 / 0 after 42 minutes.

Chad Solomon scored Ikeys’ 6th try when he picked the ball up off the back of a ruck and shoved his way over the try line. Thomas Bednall added the extra points. Xoli continued the rout as he dotted over for UCT’s 7th try of the match. Bednall’s second conversion took the score to 53 / 0 after 55 minutes.

4 Tries in the space of 8 minutes extended Ikeys’ lead to 82 / 0 after 70 minutes, as Dylan Sage, Guy Swikkard, Luke Stringer and Ryan Dugmore added 5-pointers each, with Bednall adding 9 points with the boot.

CUT scored a consolation try in the 77th minute when Dean Kouprihanoff scored Ixias 1st and only try in the game, which Arrie Vosloo converted. Ikeys had the final say though, as Ngcukana grabbed his brace in the 79th minute. Bednall added the extra points as the final hooter sounded, to secure a mammoth 90 / 8 victory.

FNB Player that Rocks: Warren Seals

Scorers:

FNB UCT:

• Tries: Jason Klaasen (1), Warren Seals (2), Ryan Dugmore (2), Khanyo Ngcukana (2), Chad Solomon (1), Lihleli Xoli (1), Dylan Sage (1), Guy Swikkard (1), Luke Stringer (1)
• Conversions: Warren Seals (4), Thomas Bednall (6)

FNB CUT:

• Tries: Dean Kouprihanoff (1)
• Conversions: Arrie Vosloo (1)

Yellow Cards: Frans Sisita (CUT, 35 min – repeated infringements), Dylan Sage (UCT, 37 min – foul play)

Teams:

FNB UCT: 15 Paul Cohen, 14 Khanyo Ngcukana, 13 Lihleli Xoli, 12 Guy Swikkard, 11 Dylan Sage, 10 Warren Seals, 9 Ryan Dugmore, 8 Guy Alexander, 7 Michael Botha (Captain), 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Jade Kriel, 3 Digby Webb, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Joel Carew
Replacements: 16 Msizi Zondi, 17 Kyle White, 18 Mark Prior, 19 Luke Stringer, 20 James Alexander, 21 Thomas Bednall, 22 Dean Gericke, 23 David Maasch.

FNB CUT: 15 Jesse du Toit, 14 Lethole Makoena, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Duan Pretorius, 11 Christiaan Erasmus, 10 Luke Cyster, 9 Arrie Vosloo, 8 Dean Kouprihanoff, 7 Victor Maruping, 6 Frans Sisita (Capatin), 5 Daneel Botes, 4 JJ Nel, 3 Ian Smith, 2 Len Noort, 1 Gerard Baard
Replacements: 16 Jozua de Jager, 17 Niel Schoombee, 18 Jean-Claude Fourie, 19 Rayno Nel, 20 Dean Jacobs, 21 Dean Rossouw, 22 Naude van Biljon, 23 Boetie Makethlo.

Referees: Francois Pretorius, Rodney Boneparte
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Jason Jaftha

 

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FNB UJ (21) 42 / 13 (8) FNB NMMU:

FNB UJ out-muscled a plucky FNB NMMU-Madibaz 42 / 13 in a tough FNB Varsity Cup encounter in a windy Port Elizabeth.

A dominant display by the Johannesburg students’ forwards saw them outscore their opponents by 6 tries to 2 as they claimed a bonus-point victory away from home.

The Madibaz started like a house on fire when Steven Hansel and Andisa Ntsila combined well to launch an attack from inside their 22. They took the ball into UJ’s territory and after a few phases, CJ Velleman broke through the defences and managed to stretch over the try line despite the best efforts of Ronald Brown. Hansel duly converted the try as the home side led 8 / 0 after 3 minutes.

UJ looked to hit back straight away, as they went on a full-out attack and came within inches in the 7th minute, but a stellar Madibaz defence kept them at bay. UJ were not to be denied though as Dylan Peterson crashed over the try line in the 9th minute. Jaco Fourie added the conversion to level the scores at 8 / 8 after 10 minutes. The Johannesburg students grabbed their 2nd try 2 minutes later when Robert De Bruyn rounded off a fantastic counter-attack from inside their half, to hand UJ a 13 / 8 lead.

The home side had no answer to UJ’s power, as their forwards stamped their dominance on the match. Madibaz would manage to get some possession after the Strategy Break and camped in UJ’s territory but their efforts would go unrewarded though, as handling errors and a stellar UJ defence hindered their progress. The visitors would make their hosts rue their possession dominance when Adriaan Vermeulen crashed over the try line in the 36th minute after a huge scrum from the forwards created the space for the centre. Fourie popped the conversion over to extend the lead to 21 / 8, which then was also the halftime score.

In a carbon-copy of the start of the match, the Madibaz were the 1st to score when Yamkela Ngam chased down a Hansel grubber before collecting the ball and dotting down in the corner. Hansel failed to add the extra points as the home side reduced the deficit. The visitors were reduced to 14-men a few minutes later when David Antonites was deemed to have tripped an opponent.

The Madibaz shifted into full-attack mode but, as they were 5m from UJ’s try line, De Bruyn grabbed an intercept and sprinted 95m up-field to hand the visitors the bonus point in the 47th minute. Fourie missed the conversion but UJ extended their lead to 26 / 13.

The physical encounter continued as the half progressed with neither side giving the other an inch. It would be the UJ students to extend their lead in the 68th minute when Wiaan Conradie emerged with the ball after a successful driving maul got them over the line. Fourie added his 3rd conversion of the match to extend the lead to 34 / 13.

UJ was awarded a Penalty Try in the 76th minute after the Madibaz scrum buckled under severe pressure 5m from their own line, which left the ref with no other option but to award the Penalty Try. James Campbell added the conversion to take the score to 42 / 13 just before the final hooter sounded.

There was not enough time for the home side to stage a dramatic comeback and they succumbed to their 3rd defeat from 4 matches.

FNB Player that Rocks: Griffith van Wyk

Scorers:

FNB NMMU:

• Tries: CJ Velleman (1), Yamkela Ngam (1)
• Conversions: Steven Hansel (1)

FNB UJ:

• Tries: Dylan Petersen (1), Robert de Bruyn (2), Adriaan Vermeulen (1), Wiaan Conradie (1), Penalty Try (1)
• Conversions: Jaco Fourie (3), James Campbell (1)

Yellow Card: David Antonites (UJ, 45 min – tripping)

Teams:

FNB NMMU: 15 Jarryd Buys (Captain), 14 Tythan Adams, 13 Michael Bernardt, 12 Devon Lailvaux, 11 Yamkela Ngam, 10 Steven Hansel, 9 Ivan Ludick, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Jody Reyneke, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 Rob Louw, 4 Paul Tyler, 3 Brendan Olivier, 2 Warrick Venter, 1 Arno Ebersohn
Replacements: 16 Dane van der Westerhuizen, 17 Steven Robesson, 18 Rudolph Odendaal, 19 Stephen Zaayman, 20 Daniel Acker, 21 Andile Jho, 22 Brian Skosana, 23 Marzuq Maarman.

FNB UJ: 15 Ronald Brown, 14 Bradley Moolman, 13 Robert De Bruyn, 12 Adriaan Vermeulen, 11 Aphiwe Dyanti, 10 Jaco Fourie, 9 Chuma Faas, 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 Hilton Mudarika, 21 James Campbell, 22 Dominic Kroezen, 23 Raeez Salie.

Referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Christie du Preez