Ikeys upset Varsity Cup champs, Shimlas outplay Maties

VARSITY CUP SEMIFINALS: The 2024 Varsity Cup will be decided in Bloemfontein on Monday, April 22 when UFS Shimlas host UCT Ikeys in this year’s Final.

Ikeys produced a sensational performance to beat defending champions NWU Eagles in their semifinal while Shimlas were equally impressive in their victory over Maties in the other semifinal.

NWU EAGLES 18-32 UCT IKEYS

UCT Ikeys saw off NWU Eagles 32-18 in a thrilling encounter at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom.

Ikeys began the game in a dominant fashion with left wing Ntokozo Makhaza landing a penalty in the first five minutes. A drop goal by the Eagles’ Zinedine Robinson made it even before Makhaza scored another penalty to restore the lead for the visitors.

Tian van Zyl scored the first try of the game to give the Eagles the lead for the first time in the game. Duran Koevort then responded for the Ikeys with a try before another Makhaza penalty handed UCT a 14-8 lead at half-time.

The visitors began the second period in the same manner with Koevort’s second try and yet another penalty by Makhaza. Mpho Kubheka reduced the deficit with a try for NWU moments after coming on.

A brilliant run by Rethabile Louw saw him distributing to Mika Schubert who scored in the corner for Ikeys. Calvin Clark scored a try in the dying minutes of the game for the Eagles but it was too late as yet another penalty by Makhaza sealed an emphatic victory for UCT.

The scorers:

NWU Eagles:
Tries: Tian van Zyl, Mpho Kubheka, Calvin Clack
DG: Zinedine Robinson

For UCT Ikeys:
Tries: Duran Koevort 2, Mika Schubert
Pens: Ntokozo Makhaza 5

Player That Rocks: Reynhardt Crous (UCT Ikeys)

Teams:

NWU Eagles: 15 Luan Jacobus Van Der Walt, 14 Joubert Schoeman, 13 Matthew Luke Fortuin, 12 Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 9 Aphelele Emihle Madaka, 8 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 7 Tian van Zyl, 6 Hennie du Randt, 5 Franco Marais, 4 Stephan Krugel, 3 Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, 2 Chyle Van Zyl, 1 Matome Molebogeng Manyama.

UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Ryan Koevort, 14 Rethabile Donovan Louw, 13 Joshua Michael Boulle, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, 10 Alexander Vermeulen, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Laro Delport, 7 Taariq Mohammed Kruger, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 Johan van Rhyn, 4 Reynhardt Wouter Crous, 3 John Kelly Ifechukwu Okonkwo, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Luthando Solomon Woji.

MATIES 24-38 UFS SHIMLAS

UFS Shimlas scored a convincing 38-24 win over Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

The visitors from Bloemfontein were more accurate in their execution by outscoring the home side by five tries to four in ideal weather conditions.

UFS dominated the first quarter of the game with their forwards and backs combining well to score two tries within the first 20 minutes of the game. The first was a point-of-origin try when fleet-footed fullback Michael Annies crossed over in the corner after 15 minutes.

Four minutes later left wing Asanda Kunene crossed over in the opposite corner to give his side a 12-0 lead.

Maties coach Kabama Floors had some harsh words to say at the strategy break after 20 minutes. The home side’s forwards started to assert themselves up front. After a few driving mauls, big lock forward Matthys Kitshoff drove over for Maties first five-pointer.

Flyhalf Juan Mostert added the extras to reduce the deficit to 12-7 in favour of the visitors at half-time.

Maties immediately hit back from the kick-off after a sniping break by centre Aydon Topley who floated the ball into the hand of left-wing Ezekiel Ngobeni who crossed for the home side’s second try. Mostert slotted the conversion from the touchline to narrow the score to 15-12. Shimlas wing Kunene then showed his pace by crossing over for his second with Wentzel coolly slotting the conversion to give his side a 22-12 lead.

The visitors started to show their dominance after the strategy break when replacement Cornelius Volschenk sliced through the middle of the Maties defence to score another try which was converted by Wentzel to stretch the lead to 29-12.

Maties showed character by fighting back through an Aydon Topley try.

In the final 10 minutes, the Maroon Machine went into overdrive sensing the time starting to run out. They had no option but to throw the ball around.

UFS outside centre Zane Bester intercepted the ball against the run of play and ran the length of the field to score a converted try to make the score 38-17 in favour of the visitors from Bloemfontein.

Maties scored a consolation try by replacement Ammaar Burton in the dying minutes to make the final score 38-24.

The scorers:

For Maties:
Tries: Matthys Kitshoff, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Aydon Topley, Ammaar Burton
Cons: Juan Mostert 2

For UFS Shimlas:
Tries: Michael Annies, Asanda Kunene 2, Cornelius Volschenk, Zane Bester
Cons: Ethan Wentzel 2
Pen: Ethan Wentzel

Player That Rocks: Asanda Kunene (UFS Shimlas)

Teams:

Maties: 15 Hofmeyr Gideon Retief, 14 Louis Johannes du Preez, 13 Ryan Marcus Manuel, 12 Aydon Colin Topley, 11 Ezekiel Mzamane Ngobeni, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Mckyle Volmoer, 8 Dewet Marais, 7 Jacobus Adriaan Louw Nel, 6 Fortune Ntokozo Mpofu, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Matthys Jacobus Bernardus Kitshoff, 3 Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, 2 Siyasanga Ngubelanga, 1 Prince Rotondwa Mulea.

UFS Shimlas: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Siviwe Zondani, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Gideon Jooste Nel, 11 Asanda Sihle Kunene, 10 Ethan SJ Wentzel, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Pierre-Raymond Freddie Uys, 6 Sobe Siyambuka Nakhane Ningiza, 5 John Raymond Stopforth, 4 Reinier Juan Martin Viljoen, 3 Francisco Dos Reis, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 1 Ntokozo Hlophe.