Two late bonus points saw FNB NWU-Pukke sneak into the FNB Varsity Cup semi-finals ahead of FNB Maties, on points difference.

Last year’s beaten finalists will face table-toppers FNB UP-Tuks in Pretoria next week, while defending champions FNB UCT will travel to Bloemfontein to take on the unbeaten FNB UFS-Shimlas in the other semi-final.

Three-time champions Maties romped to a comprehensive 53 / 8 victory over winless FNB CUT in Bloemfontein, but it was not enough in the end as they miss the play-offs for just the 2nd time in the history of the competition.

Although NWU-Pukke went down 29 / 26 to UFS-Shimlas in Bloemfontein, 2 late tries saw them pick up 2 vital bonus points to knock Maties out on points difference.

UFS-Shimlas are the only team that have not lost this season, but they ended in 2nd place to UP-Tuks, who were far too strong for FNB NMMU.

The Pretoria outfit outscored the Madibaz by 5 tries to 1 in Port Elizabeth to seal Top Spot ahead of UFS-Shimlas, on points difference.

UFS-Shimlas will host their 1st-ever semi-final against UCT who battled to a tough 8 / 0 victory over FNB UJ on a windy Green Mile in Cape Town, to secure their spot in the play-offs.

Ikeys flank Jason Klaasen scored the only try of the match in a tight encounter, which saw UJ end the season in 6th place ahead of NMMU and CUT – who finished their debut season without a single Log Point.

In the Varsity Shield FNB UWC kept their hopes of sneaking into the final alive with a comprehensive 58 / 8 victory over FNB Fort Hare in Alice, despite being reduced to 14 men for most of the game.

FNB Wits secured a home final with a comfortable 50 / 5 victory over FNB TUT, who have not won a single game this season.

The Varsity Young Guns final will be a replay of last year’s dramatic clash between UFS and UP-Tuks, although this year they will be playing in Bloemfontein instead of Pretoria.

The Pretoria side handed the NMMU Young Guns their 1st defeat of the season, to deny the Eastern Cape side a place in the final on points difference.

In the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championship, Steinhoff Vishuis lost to Steinhoff Patria but secured their place in the final with a bonus point, while CUT’s Steinhoff Tigers easily beat NMMU’s Steinhoff Stallions.

 

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FNB NMMU (0) 8 / 40 (8) FNB UP-Tuks:

FNB UP-Tuks did themselves the world of good when they mauled a mediocre FNB NMMU-Madibaz 40 / 8 in the final Round of the FNB Varsity Cup in Port Elizabeth.

A Wiaan Liebenberg brace and further tries from Reniel Hugo, Clyde Davids and Riaan Britz helped the Pretoria students claim their 8th bonus point of the campaign, to cement their spot at the Top of the standings.

The Madibaz enjoyed much of the early possession as they took the game to their visitors. However, an unforced error inside their 22 resulted in a 5m lineout for Tuks. They took full advantage of their 1st visit to Madibaz’ 22, as an unstoppable rolling maul saw captain Wiaan Liebenberg emerge from the bottom of the pile of bodies. Joshua Stander converted the try to hand Tuks an early 8 / 0 lead.

The home side continued to dominate the possession stats but had nothing to show for it as the score remained unchanged at the 1st Strategy Break.

Tuks came out firing after the break and were heavily relying on their maul to break through NMMU’s defence, however, basic errors killed their progress and let the home side off the hook. The visitors maintained the pressure on the home side and camped in their 22 but ill-discipline allowed the Madibaz to relieve the pressure.

The scrappy encounter continued as the half progressed with neither side being able to launch a meaningful attack which resulted in no further points being added to the scoreboard as the half came to an end.

Tuks hit the ground running after the break and tasted immediate success when their forwards wore down the Madibaz defence and Reniel Hugo grabbed a try in the corner. Stander converted to double Tuks’ lead in the 45th minute.

The scrappy nature of the match continued with both sides guilty of needlessly giving possession away. Tuks had a 5m scrum after the 2nd Strategy Break and showed their dominance, as they shoved the Madibaz pack over their try-line, which resulted in the easiest of tries for Clyde Davids. Stander maintained his 100% kicking record as he slotted his 3rd conversion of the match to stretch the lead to 24 / 0 after 62 minutes.

Tuks secured their bonus-point in the 69th minute when Liebenberg grabbed his brace, off the back of a well-executed rolling maul from a 5m lineout. Dewald Human added the extra points to extend the lead.

The Madibaz finally got onto the scoreboard in the 76th minute when Brian Skosana broke through the stubborn Tuks defence to dot down under the posts. Steven Hansel added the conversion to give the home crowd something to cheer about. That joy would be short-lived as Riaan Britz rounded off a quick attacking play by the visitors to score their 5th try of the match. Human slotted his 2nd kick of the match to extend the lead beyond the 30 point mark.

Madibaz had a late surge at the line as the fulltime hooter sounded, but Tuks stood firm in defence to deny the home side a late score.

FNB Player that Rocks: Reniel Hugo

Scorers:

FNB NMMU:

• Tries: Brian Skosana (1)
• Conversions: Steven Hansel (1)

FNB UP-Tuks:

• Tries: Wiaan Liebenberg (2), Reniel Hugo (1), Clyde Davids (1), Riaan Britz (1)
• Conversions: Joshua Stander (3), Dewald Human (2)

Teams:

FNB NMMU: 15 Tythan Adams, 14 Khaya Malotana, 13 Micheal Barnardt, 12 Devon Lailvaux, 11 Brian Skosana, 10 Ruan Allerston, 9 Enrico Acker (Captain), 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Philip Odendaal, 6 Jody Reyneke, 5 Robert Louw, 4 Elandre van der Merwe, 3 Steven Robberson, 2 Dane Van der Westhuyzen, 1 Marzuk Maarman
Replacements: 16 Warrick Venter, 17 Laurence Christie, 18 Zane Marx, 19 Ivan-John du Preez, 20 Ivan ludick, 21 Steven Hansel, 22 Andile Jho, 23 Arno Ebersohn.

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 Irne Herbst, 3 Andrew Beerwinkel, 2 Jan Enslin, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli
Replacements: 16 Jan Van der Merwe, 17 Justin Forwood, 18 Dennis Visser, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Dewald Human, 22 Adrian Maebane, 23 Neethling Fouche.

Referees: Quinton Immelman, Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Christie du Preez

 

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FNB UCT (8) 8 / 0 (0) FNB UJ:

Defending champions FNB UCT battled their way to a hard-fought 8 / 0 victory over FNB UJ on the Green Mile to book their place in the FNB Varsity Cup semi-finals.

There was little to choose between the sides throughout, but a single try from the hosts ended the visitors’ play-off hopes and ensured that the Ikeys will travel to Bloemfontein to face FNB UFS-Shimlas in their semi-final next week.

The home side started with real intent, and they were rewarded with a try to flank Jason Klaasen from a driving maul to put them 8 / 0 up.

The Ikeys had the wind at their backs in the 1st half and kept UJ pinned in their own half with some good tactical kicking, but the UJ defence held out well under pressure.

The visitors came out firing after the break and camped in UCT territory where they won a number of scrums, but the home side managed to take their 8 / 0 lead into the halftime break.

The 2nd half got off to a tense start, with a few off-the-ball incidents flaring up, but neither side was able to score, as UCT maintained their lead at the 2nd strategy break.

UJ were pressing hard, but it was not to be, as UCT held on for a vital win.

FNB Player that Rocks: James Kilroe

Scorers:

FNB UCT:

• Tries: Jason Klaasen (1)
• Conversions: Thomas Bednall (1)

FNB UJ:

• None

Teams:

FNB UCT: 15 Khanyo Ngcukana, 14 Richard Stewart, 13 Lihleli Xoli, 12 Guy Schwikkard, 11 Dylan Sage, 10 Thomas Bednall, 9 Ryan Dugmore, 8 Guy Alexander, 7 Michael Botha (Captain), 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Mark Prior, 3 Kyle Whyte, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Joel Carew
Replacements: 16 Michael Kennedy, 17 Robin Murray, 18 Jade Kriel, 19 Luke Stringer, 20 Stephen Wallace, 21 Nicholas Holton, 22 Nathan Nel, 23 David Maasch.

FNB UJ: 15 Aphiwe Dyanti, 14 Bradley Moolman, 13 Robert De Bruyn, 12 Adriaan Vermeulen, 11 Andries Osthuizen, 10 Jaco Fourie, 9 Chuma Faas, 8 Wiaan Conradie, 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 Ettienne Oosthuizen, 20 Hilton Mudarika, 21 James Campbell, 22 Dominic Kroezen, 23 Kyle Kruger.

Referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze
Assistant Referees: Local

 

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FNB CUT (8) 8 / 53 (24) FNB Maties:

FNB Maties cruised to a comfortable 53 / 8 victory over FNB CUT in the final Round of the FNB Varsity Cup.

The 3-time champions outscored their hosts by 7 tries to 1 to secure a vital bonus-point victory to boost their semi-final hopes.

The visitors wasted no time in getting stuck into the Ixias, with lock Kobus van Dyk crossing for an early try, which was converted by flyhalf Brandon Thomson.

Van Dyk’s lock partner Lourens Fick was next to score, as their forward dominance paid off to make it 16 / 0 at the 1st strategy break.

Fick made it a double soon afterwards as he got over for Maties’ 3rd try, which was converted by Thomson to make it 24 / 0.

The hosts hit back when the ball was worked wide to right wing Lethole Makoena, who crossed for a try which cut the deficit to 24 / 8 at halftime.

Maties secured the bonus point early in the 2nd half, with outside centre Paul Streicher scoring under the poles and the unerring boot of Thomson took their lead to 32 / 8 with the successful conversion.

Fick notched his hat-trick just after the 2nd strategy break, to stretch his team’s lead to 37 / 8, and the tries kept coming as the floodgates opened towards the end and the Maties romped to a comfortable victory.

Scorers:

FNB CUT:

• Tries: Lethole Makoena (1)
• Conversions: Duan Pretorius (1)

FNB Maties:

• Tries: Kobus van Dyk (1), Lourens Fick (3), Paul Streicher (1), TBC (1), Janco Venter (1)
• Conversions: Brandon Thomson (6)

Teams:

FNB CUT: 15 Henry immelman, 14 Lethole Makoena, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Mosego Toolo, 10 Duan Pretorius (Captain), 9 Christiaan Erasmus, 8 Jean Pretorius, 7 Jean-Claude Fourie, 6 Dean Kouprihanoff, 5 Fanie Coetzee, 4 JJ Nel, 3 Gerard Baard, 2 Jeandre Roux, 1 Len Noort
Replacements: 16 Niel Schoombee, 17 Ian Smith, 18 Daneel Botes, 19 Victor Maruping, 20 Dean Jacobs, 21 Dean Rossouw, 22 Naude van Biljon, 23 Boetie Makethlo.

FNB Maties: 15 Mike Muller, 14 Jamie Joseph, 13 Paul Streicher, 12 Koos Loubser, 11 Craig Barry, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Bjorn Bernardo, 8 Janco Venter, 7 Derick Linde (Captain), 6 Justin Benn, 5 Kobus van Dyk, 4 Lourens Fick, 3 Jacobus Van der Merwe, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Niel Oelofse
Replacements: 16 Craig Corbett, 17 Wesley Adonis, 18 Grant Prior, 19 Lungelo Chonco, 20 Louis Nel, 21 Ernest Stapelberg, 22 Kyle Leibrandt, 23 Abel De Klerk.

Referees: Pro Legoete, Jaco Pretorius
Assistant Referees: Local

 

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FNB UFS-Shimlas (24) 29 / 26 (5) FNB NWU-Pukke:

A powerful performance by FNB UFS-Shimlas saw them claim a hard-fought 29 / 26 win over FNB NWU-Pukke to finish the round robin phase of the FNB Varsity Cup as the only unbeaten side in the competition.

It was not doom and gloom for Pukke though as they secured 2 bonus points to finish in 4th place – tied on Log Points with FNB Maties – but their superior points difference means they secure the final semi-final spot.

The match got off a frenetic start as both sides were in high gear for the opening minutes and took the game to each other. It would be the home side who would break the deadlock in the 9th minute, when some great interplay between Conraad van Vuuren and Elandre Huggett saw the latter break through the heart of the Pukke defence. AJ Coertzen added the conversion for the 8 / 0 lead.

Pukke went in search of their 1st points of the match and were rewarded in the 15th minute when Dalen Goliath dived over in the right corner, after a lengthy period of pressure on the Shimlas defence. Rhyno Smith was unable to add the extra points but the try cut Shimlas’ lead to 3 points. Shimlas extended their lead in the 19th minute when Niell Jordaan brushed off 2 tacklers to crash over the try-line. Coertzen added his 2nd conversion of the night to increase the lead to 11 points.

Shimlas kept piling the pressure on their opponents but Pukke stood firm in defence and went on the attack, but they too were unable to add to their score. The physical encounter increased in tempo with both packs of forwards looking to impose themselves on the other. Shimlas’ pack would get the better of their opponents on the stroke of halftime when Gerhard Olivier emerged with the ball after a successful maul. Coertzen added his 3rd conversion of the match to take the score to 24 / 5 at the halftime interval.

Pukke came out firing in the 2nd half and tasted immediate success when Dillon Smit collected a chip kick and sprinted his way past the Shimlas defenders to score. Rhyno Smith added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 11 points after 44 minutes. It was all going the way of the visitors from this point, as Shimlas began to buckle under the pressure.

The Potch students were camping in Shimlas’ 22 but came away with nothing, as Shimlas’ defence remained resolute to keep their opponents from scoring and maintained a 24 / 13 lead, with 20 minutes remaining in the match.

Shimlas increased their lead to 16 points when Gerhard Olivier grabbed his brace in the 65th minute, after emerging with the ball following a successful maul from a 5m lineout. Coertzen failed to convert the try as the score read 29 / 13 in favour of the home side.

Pukke launched a counter attack in the 69th minute and a clever chip from Smith was grabbed by Johan Deysel, who crossed the try line. Smith failed with another conversion attempt as Shimlas led 29 / 18 with 10 minutes left in the match. Deysel would bag a brace with 4 minutes left in the match, when he rounded off a great attacking move. Smith added the conversion to bring the visitors to within 3 points.

That would be the final points of the game, as Shimlas held on to claim the win.

FNB Player that Rocks: Gerhard Olivier

Scorers:

FNB UFS-Shimlas:

• Tries: Elandre Huggett (1), Neill Jordaan (1), Gerhard Olivier (2)
• Conversions: AJ Coertzen (3)

FNB NWU-Pukke:

• Tries: Dalen Goliath (1), Dillon Smit (1), Johan Deysel (2)
• Conversions: Rhyno Smith (2)

Teams:

FNB UFS-Shimlas: 15 AJ Coertzen (Captain), 14 Vuyani Maqina, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Stephen Janse van Rensburg, 9 Renier Botha, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Gerhard Olivier, 6 Steven Meiring, 5 Boela Venter, 4 Johan van der Hoogt, 3 Conraad Van Vuuren, 2 Elandre Huggett, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jacques Du Toit, 17 Chase Morison, 18 De Wet Kruger, 19 Tienie Burger, 20 Mthokozisi Mkhabela, 21 JP Coetzee, 22 Refuoe Rampete, 23 Theunis Nieuwoudt.

FNB NWU-Pukke: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Dalen Goliath, 13 Rowayne Beukman, 12 Johan Deysel (captain), 11 Dean Stokes, 10 Johnny Welthagen, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Jaco Buys, 7 Marno Redelinghuys, 6 Armandt Liebenberg, 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 Juandre Williams, 22 Bouke Tack, 23 Cayle Denner.

Referees: Francois Pretorius, Rodney Boneparte
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: JJ Wagner