Shimlas rock in Bloem
MATCH REPORT: Ethan Wentzel kicked a clutch penalty in extra time, as UFS Shimlas won the Varsity Cup for the first time in nearly a decade with a 45-42 victory over UCT Ikeys in Bloemfontein on Monday.
Their only other win was in 2015.
Shimlas scrumhalf Jandré Nel was named the Player That Rocks and judging by his face after the game, one could see it truly was a matter of blood, sweat and tears that led the team of Bloemfontein to this fantastic moment.
Sensational scenes in Bloem as Ethan Wentzel wins the @FNBSA Varsity Cup for the @UFSweb Shimlas with a kick in the 83rd min to be crowned 2024 champions 🏆!
UFS 45 – 42 UCT #RugbyThatRocks brought to you by FNB, Steers and Suzuki. pic.twitter.com/unfZc25A7V
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 22, 2024
The Ikeys got off to a very fast start with Keagan Blanckenberg and Jonathan Roche scoring for the visitors. Nel stuck back for the Shimlas with his first try before the hooker Liyema Mgwigwi also got in on the action for the hosts.
Rethabile Louw dotted down from an intercept and Duran Koevort sliced through the defence for his five-pointer for UCT.
Ethan Wentzel then scored for the hosts while Mgwigwi completed his brace on the stroke of half-time. Ikeys had their noses in the lead by 31-26.
A defining moment in the game was Nel’s second try early in the second half, which was later upgraded to a point-of-origin try. Siviwe Zondani also scored for the home team. Bryan le Roux levelled matters for the Ikeys and they could have won the game with two minutes to play, but Ntokozo Makhaza missed the conversion.
With the game level at 42-42 it was heading to extra time, but two minutes after the hooter, the Shimlas were awarded a penalty.
What was arguably the most important kick of his life, Wentzel split the uprights to hand his team the well-deserved victory.
The scorers
For UFS Shimlas:
Tries: Jandre Nel 2, Liyema Mgwigwi, Ethan Wentzel, Kwezi Dlamini, Siviwe Zondani
Cons: Wentzel 5
Pen: Wentzel
For UCT Ikeys
Tries: Keagan Blanckenberg, Jonathan Roche, Rethabile Louw, Duran Koevort, Johan Lombard
Cons: Makhaza 3
Pens: Makhaza 3
TEAMS
UFS Shimlas: 15 Michael Jnr Kurt Annies, 14 Siviwe Zondani, 13 Nkoka Sydney Luvuyo Ngobe, 12 Zane Bester, 11 Asanda Sihle Kunene, 10 Ethan SJ Wentzel, 9 Jandre 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.
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 Jordan Blanckenberg, 1 Luthando Solomon Woji.
Awards for the season
Player That Rocks: Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT Ikeys)
Back That Rocks: Matthew Fortuin (NWU Eagles)
Forward That Rocks: Enos Ndiao (UCT Ikeys)
Rookie Of The Year: Likhona Finca (UJ)
Sensational scenes in Bloem as Ethan Wentzel wins the @FNBSA Varsity Cup for the @UFSweb Shimlas with a kick in the 83rd min to be crowned 2024 champions 🏆!
FNB UFS 45 – 42 FNB UCT #RugbyThatRocks brought to you by FNB, Steers and Suzuki. pic.twitter.com/unfZc25A7V
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 22, 2024
