A convincing 63 / 8 victory over FNB CUT in Pretoria saw FNB UP-Tuks move past the unbeaten FNB UFS-Shimlas to the top of the FNB Varsity Cup standings.
The Free State side claimed a last-gasp 23 / 21 victory over FNB NMMU in Port Elizabeth, but that was not enough to keep their place at the top of the Log as the rampant UP-Tuks moved past them on points difference.
There were also wins for the 2 Cape sides as 3-time champions FNB Maties notched their first win of the season by edging FNB UJ 16 / 15 in Stellenbosch, while FNB UCT beat FNB NWU-Pukke 40 / 21 in a replay of last year’s final in Potchefstroom.
UP-Tuks were ruthless in their demolition of CUT, running in 9 tries to pile more pain on the newcomers who have suffered heavy defeats in every game of their debut season thus far.
After conceding 3 early tries, the NMMU Madibaz fought back bravely at home against UFS-Shimlas, only to have their hearts broken by a late penalty which leaves them languishing in 7th place with just 1 win.
Maties were also made to work hard for their victory, having gone 15 / 0 behind against UJ at one stage in Stellenbosch, but 2nd-half tries from Beyers de Villiers and Jacobus van der Merwe were just enough to secure a narrow victory for the home side.
Flank Jason Klaasen grabbed a hat-trick in Potchefstroom as defending champions UCT moved up to 3rd place on the standings with a convincing win over NWU-Pukke who drop down to 5th position with just 2 rounds left before the play-offs.
In the Varsity Shield there were big wins for pace-setters FNB Wits and FNB UKZN to pull even further away from the chasing pack.
Wits registered a record 93 / 0 victory over FNB Fort Hare in Johannesburg and the UKZN Impi waltzed to a 66 / 41 win against FNB TUT Vikings in Pretoria.
The 3rd round of the Varsity Young Guns saw wins for defending champions UFS, 2-time champions UP-Tuks, NMMU and the UCT Trojans.
UFS beat NWU-Pukke in Potchefstroom, UP-Tuks proved too strong for UJ in Pretoria, NMMU overpowered CUT in Port Elizabeth and UCT claimed the Cape bragging rights by beating the Junior Maties in Stellenbosch.
In the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Steinhoff Mopanie continued their winning ways by beating the Steinhoff Tigers to move to the top of the log, Steinhoff Patria proved too strong for the Steinhoff Stallions and Steinhoff Medies beat the Steinhoff Cobras 40 / 0 in Stellenbosch.
FNB Maties 16 / 15 FNB UJ:
Two second half tries handed FNB Maties a slender 16/ 15 victory over a gutsy FNB UJ in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International in Stellenbosch.
The win handed Maties their first victory of the campaign and will bring a sense of relief to Stellenbosch as they ended a four-match winless run. UJ, on the other hand, suffered their second defeat of the campaign but managed to pick up a losing bonus point.
UJ made a positive start to the match and got the first points of the match in the fourth minute when centre Adriaan Vermeulen broke his way through a half-gap after a line-out on Maties’ five metre line. Jaco Fourie’s conversion snuck over the crossbar with the help of the left upright to take the score to 8-0.
The visitors were taking the game to their hosts and displayed confidence with ball-in-hand as they made plenty of metres with every ball carry and camped in Maties’ half of the field. Maties’ live-wire fullback Craig Barry took the game to the UJ whenever he got hold of the ball and managed to break the advantage line with every carry but some stellar defence by the visitors snubbed their hosts.
UJ continued to pile on the pressure on Maties and held much of the possession in the first half but had nothing to show for it as handling errors stopped them in their tracks from adding to their points tally. They were not going to be denied in the 37th minute when they were awarded a penalty after sustained pressure. Fourie opted to have a shot at goal and it paid off as he split the uprights to take the visitors into double figures.
Maties went on the attack in the closing minutes of the first half as the home side threw everything they had at the UJ defence. They crossed the line after the hooter had gone but were held-up by some stellar defence as the Johannesburg students held the lead at the halfway mark.
The home side came out guns blazing at the resumption of the match but the UJ stood firm and kept them at bay. UJ managed to get their hands on the ball and slowly stamped their dominance in the game. Vermeulen showed his class when he brushed two defenders aside and stepped past another before making the pass to Bradley Moolman on the right wing, who scored in the corner to extend the visitors’ lead to 15-0 after 51 minutes.
Maties were not going to be shut-out on their home ground as an incredible Koos Loubser pass in a tackle found Beyers de Villiers, who sprinted his way over the try line to bring the home side back into the contest. Ernest Stapelberg calmly slotted the conversion to reduce the deficit to seven points.
The try sparked the home side into life as they continued to press forward but, unfortunately, handling errors cost them valuable momentum. Maties looked dangerous once they were able to nullify their handling errors and thought they had grabbed their second try of the match in the 68th minute when Barry crashed over the line, however, the ball popped loose in the tackle and the home side spilled another chance.
UJ were under all sorts of pressure as the Maroon Machine kept hammering away at their defence and finally found a way through in the 70th minute, when Jacobus van der Merwe bulldozed and stretched his way over the line. Thomson added the extra points to hand the home side a narrow 16-15 lead.
The home side managed to hold on for the final minutes of the match to secure a slender one point victory over the Johannesburg students.
FNB Player that Rocks: Adriaan Vermeulen
Scorers:
FNB Maties:
- Tries: Beyers de Villiers (1), Jacobus van der Merwe (1)
- Conversions: Stapelberg, Thomson
FNB UJ:
- Tries: Adriaan Vermeulen (1), Bradley Moolman (1)
- Conversions: Jaco Fourie (1)
- Penalties: Jaco Fourie (1)
Teams:
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.
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 Raeez Salie, 18 Griffith van Wyk, 19 Wiaan Conradie, 20 Hilton Mudarika, 21 James Campbell, 22 Dominic Kroezen, 23 Brandon Landsberg.
Referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
FNB NMMU 21 / 23 FNB UFS Shimlas:
A late penalty saw FNB UFS-Shimlas claim a dramatic 23 / 21 victory over FNB NMMU in Port Elizabeth and extend their unbeaten FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International run.
The home side fought back bravely in the second half to level matters at 21 / 21, but had their hearts broken at the death as the Free State side walked away with the spoils.
Although they are yet to lose, UFS-Shimlas were replaced at the top of the standings by FNB UP-Tuks who recorded a big 63 / 8 victory over FNB CUT, while the Madibaz are languishing down in seventh place with just one win from their five games this season.
The visitors struck early as flank Refuoe Rampeta crossed for the first try just after kick-off, and the conversion from flyhalf Niel Marais put them 8 / 0 up.
Things soon got even tougher for NMMU when flank CJ Velleman was sent to the sin bin, and UFS-Shimlas duly took advantage as lock Niel Claassen got over for their second try.
They were not done there as scrumhalf Renier Botha ploughed his way over the line to give them a healthy 21 / 0 advantage at the first strategy break.
The Madibaz hit back through skipper Jarryd Buys who got over for their first try to cut UFS-Shimlas’ lead to 21 / 8 once converted by flyhalf Steven Hansel.
The Eastern Cape side had it all to do in the second half, and they made a determined start after the half-time break in an effort to get back into the game.
They were rewarded when Tythan Adams got over to reduce the deficit to 21 / 13 and bring the home side right back into the game at the second strategy break.
They drew level at 21 / 21 when Velleman got over for their third try, setting up a tense finish to the game, and it was the visitors that managed to snatch a dramatic win at the death.
Scorers:
FNB NMMU:
- Tries: Jaryd Buys (1), Tythan Adams (1), CJ Velleman (1)
- Conversions: Steven Hansel (2)
FNB UFS-Shimlas:
- Tries: Refuoe Rampeta (1), Niel Claassen (1), Renier Botha (1)
- Conversions: Niel Marais (2)
- Penalties: Niel Marais (1)
Teams:
FNB NMMU: 15 Jarryd Buys (Captain), 14 Tythan Adams, 13 Micheal Barnardt, 12 Devon Lailvaux, 11 Yamkela Ngam, 10 Steven Hansel, 9 Ivan Ludick, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Philip Odendaal, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 Tyler Paul, 4 Stephan Zaayman, 3 Brenden Oliver, 2 Dane van der Westhuizen, 1 Arno Ebersohn
Replacements: 16 Jody Reyneke, 17 Steven Robbeson, 18 Robert Louw, 19 Ivan-John du Preez, 20 Enrico Acker, 21 Andile Jho, 22 Brian Skosana, 23 Marzuq Maarman.
FNB UFS-Shimlas: 15 Marco Mason, 14 Vuyani Maqina, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Arthur Williams, 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Renier Botha, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Gerhard Olivier, 6 Refuoe Rampeta, 5 Niel Claassen, 4 Nicolaas Immelman, 3 Chase Morison, 2 Elandre Huggett, 1 Theuns Neuwoudt
Replacements: 16 Marco Klopper, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Boela Venter, 19 Daniel Maartens, 20 Mthokozisi Mkhabela, 21 AJ Coertzen, 22 JP Coetzee, 23 Conraad van Vuuren.
Referees: Francois Pretorius, Rodney Boneparte
Assistant Referees: Local
FNB UP-Tuks 63 / 8 FNB CUT:
FNB UP-Tuks showed little mercy in their 63 / 8 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International demolition of FNB CUT in Pretoria.
The two-time champions outscored the Ixias by 9 tries to 1, to hand the Free State side another heavy defeat in what is turning out to be a very tough debut season for the newcomers.
The home side wasted no time and took the game to CUT, with big flank Jannes Kirsten drawing first blood with an early try.
They followed that up soon afterwards as prop Dayan van der Westhuizen forced his way over to put them 13 / 0 up at the first strategy break.
UP-Tuks continued to pile the pressure on the visitors which told when hooker Jaco Visagie got over for their third try, and they had the bonus point wrapped up soon afterwards as inside centre John Jackson crossed for their fourth after just 25 minutes.
They were not done there, and there was still time for a fifth try from left wing Jermaine Kleinsmith to give them an imposing 34 / 0 lead at halftime.
CUT opened their account early in the second half through flyhalf Duan Pretorius who converted his own try, but UP-Tuks responded with two quick tries of their own from skipper Wiaan Liebenberg and No 8 Clyde Davis to take their lead to 50 / 8.
Outside centre Dan Kriel was next to get in on the act to give the home side a massive 58 / 8 lead at the second strategy break, and replacement hooker Jan Enslin put the final touch on a big win for the home side.
FNB Player that Rocks: Nqobisizwe Mxoli
Scorers:
FNB UP-Tuks:
- Tries: Jannes Kirsten (1), Dayan van der Westhuizen (1), Jaco Visagie (1), John Jackson (1), Jermaine Kleinsmith (1), Wiaan Liebenberg (1), Clyde Davis (1), Dan Kriel (1), Jan Enslin (1)
- Conversions: Dewald Human (6)
FNB CUT:
- Tries: Duan Pretorius (1)
- Conversions: Duan Pretorius (1)
Teams:
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Jacques Rossouw, 14 Damian van Wyk, 13 Daniel Kriel, 12 John Jackson, 11 Jermaine Kleinsmith, 10 Dewald Human, 9 André Warner, 8 Clyde Davids, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg (Captain), 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Dennis Smith, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli
Replacements: 16 Jan Enslin, 17 Neethling Fouche, 18 Jason Jenkins, 19 Pieter Janse van Vuren, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Joshua Stander, 22 Adrian Maebane, 23 Andrew Beerwinkel.
FNB CUT: 15 Luke Cyster, 14 Lethole Makoena, 13 Dean Kouprihanoff, 12 Jacques Nel, 11 Christiaan Erasmus, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Dean Jacobs, 8 Daneel Botes, 7 Jean-Claude Fourie, 6 Frans Sisita (Captain), 5 Fanie Coetzee, 4 JJ Nel, 3 Gerard Baard, 2 Jozua De Jager, 1 Lens Noort
Replacements: 16 Ian Smith, 17 Niel Schoombee, 18 Jean Pretorius, 19 Rayno Nel, 20 Victor Maruping, 21 Dean Rossouw, 22 Naude van Biljon, 23 Boetie Makethlo.
Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Ben Crouse
Assistant Referees: Local
FNB NWU-Pukke 21 / 40 FNB UCT:
FNB UCT-Ikeys claimed a nail-biting 40 / 21 victory over FNB NWU-Pukke in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International in Potchefstroom, in what was a repeat of the 2014 final.
A Jason Klaasen hat trick proved vital as the Cape side claimed their third victory of the competition to launch themselves into 3rd place of the log and relegate their opponents down to 5th.
Ikeys wasted no time in showing their intent as Richard Stewart went on a run after receiving the kick-off. Pukke were penalised for being offside and UCT set-up a five metre line-out. The rolling maul was used and took them within a metre of the try line before it was recycled and found Lihleli Xoli who ran onto the ball and crashed over the try line. Warren Seals added the conversion to hand the visitors an early 8 / 0 lead after three minutes.
The lead would be reduced to three points two minutes when Pukke captain Jeandre Rudolph emerged with the ball following a well-executed rolling maul from a five-metre line-out. Rhyno Smith failed to add the extra points. Pukke increased their intensity and threw the ball around with supreme confidence. Dillon Smit sent a long pass to a rushing Smith, who blitzed his way through a massive hole in the Ikeys defence and stepped his way past the last defender to grab his sides second try of the match. He picked himself up and snuck in the conversion to hand Pukke a 13 / 8 lead after 13 minutes.
Ikeys would hit back and regain the lead in the 16th minute when another rolling maul resulted in a try for Mark Prior. Seals added the extra points to take the score to 16 / 13 after 16 minutes. The high intensity of the match continued after the first Strategy Break with the majority of the play taking place inside Ikeys’ 22.
The visitors managed to work their way up the field and set a maul from a 5 metre line-out. The forwards were unstoppable as they made their way over the line and Jason Klaasen emerged with the ball to grab UCT’s third try of the match. Seals added the extra points to extend the lead to 11 points after 28 minutes.
Pukke went on the offensive and were all over UCT but the visitors stood up to the test and managed to keep their hosts at bay. However, the pressure would be rewarded in the 39th minute when Johan Deysel ran a great line off the back of a ruck to dive over the line. Smith added the extra points to reduce the deficit to three points at the halftime break.
Khanyo Ngcukana bagged the bonus point for the UCT in the 45th minute when latched into a pass from Dylan Sage who stepped his way through the Pukke defence. Seals added the conversion to extend the visitors lead to 11 points. Ikeys remained the dominant side and camped in Pukke’s half of the field but could not add further points to the scoreboard before the second Strategy Break.
UCT remained camped in Pukke’s 22 after the resumption of the game but the home side would launch a counter-attack in the 66th minute when Smit went on a run and gained 60 metres before the home side made their way into UCT’s 22, however, stellar defence by the Cape students kept the home side at bay.
Klaasen got his hat trick and UCT’s fifth of the match in the 79th minute to round off a dominant second half performance by the Cape students. Seals added the conversion to take the score to 40 / 21.
FNB Player that Rocks: Jason Klaasen
Scorers:
FNB NWU-Pukke:
- Tries: Jeandre Rudolph (1), Rhyno Smith (1), Johan Deysel (1)
- Conversions: Rhyno Smith (2)
FNB UCT-Ikeys:
- Tries: Lihleli Xoli (1), Jason Klaasen (3), Khanyo Ngcukana (1)
- Conversions: Warren Seals (5)
Yellow Card: Wilmar Arnoldi (NWU, 78 min – repeated infringements)
Teams:
FNB NWU-Pukke: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Juandre Williams, 13 Rowayne Beukman, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Dean Stokes, 10 Johnny Welthagen, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Jeandre Rudolph (Captain), 7 Marno Redelinghuys, 6 Rhyk Welgemoed, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Loftus Morrison, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Wian Fourie, 1 Johan Smith
Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Mogau Mabokela, 18 Daniel Jordaan, 19 Moletsi Bouwer, 20 Malherbe Swart, 21 Dalen Goliath, 22 Johannes Briers, 23 Cayle Denner.
FNB UCT-Ikeys: 15 Khanyo Ngcukana, 14 Richard Stewart, 13 Lihleli Xoli, 12 Nicholas Holton, 11 Dylan Sage, 10 Warren Seals, 9 James Alexander, 8 Guy Alexander (captain), 7 Zakeyo Tinotenda, 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Mark Prior, 3 Digby Webb, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Joel Carew
Replacements: 16 Michael Kennedy, 17 Robin Murray, 18 Jade Kriel, 19 Luke Stringer, 20 Ryand Dugmore, 21 Guy Schwikkard, 22 Nathan Nel, 23 Kyle Whyte.
Referees: Lesego Legoete, Jaco Pretorius
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Johan Greeff