Eagles fly high in Varsity Cup

ROUND TWO Wrap: Defending champions NWU Eagles are continuing on their winning ways in the 2024 Varsity Cup following a drubbing of newcomers UWC in round 2.

In other matches, Wits scored a solid victory over CUT, Shimlas travelled to beat UJ and Maties won the Cape derby against UCT Ikeys.

All the Round Two action!

NWU 49-15 UWC

NWU Eagles continued on their unbeaten start to this year’s competition with a dominant performance against UWC at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom.

At the start of the match, Conwill Conradie failed to capitalise with a penalty for UWC and minutes later Franco Marais opened the scoring for the Eagles following a line-out and driving maul. The home side showed dominance with tries by Keano Windvogel and Calvin Clack. The Eagles’ tight-head prop Ntobeko Shezi extended the lead for his side with a try with Zinedine Robinson converting to put them 30-0 in the lead at half-time.

In the second half, the home side lost Shaun-Christian Baxter, Chyle van Zyl and Tian van Zyl to the sin bin and momentum swang UWC’s way when Emile Silvis opened the scoring for his side. However, the home side showed why they’re champions with Windvogel scoring another try to make it 37-5.

Late tries by Carel Van Der Verwe and Ruben Swanepoel for UWC made up some ground. But NWU wasn’t done yet as Windvogel and Marvelous Mashimbyi crossed the try line again to seal an emphatic victory at home.

SCORERS:

For NWU
Tries: Calvin Clack, Keano Windvogel 2, Ntobeko Shezi, Shaun-Christian Baxter 2. Marvelous Mashimbyi
Cons: Zinedine Robinson 5, Charles Williams.

For UWC
Tries: Emile Silvis, Carel Van Der Merwe, Ruben Swanepoel

Player That Rocks: Keano Windvogel (NWU)

TEAMS

NWU: 15 Shaun-Christian Baxter, 14 Keano Ricardo Windvogel, 13 Matthew Luke Fortuin, 12 Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 9 Aphelele Emihle Madaka, 8 Calvin Clack, 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.

UWC: 15 Jean Jacques van Schalkwyk, 14 Will Bradford Vraagom, 13 Emile Silvis, 12 Bryan John Breda, 11 Hlomla Ncana, 10 Nhlamulo Emmanuel Shilubane, 9 Conwill Brooklyn Conradie, 8 Tyrone Farren Maritz, 7 Louan De Lange, 6 Romuad Nsombamanya, 5 Carel Van der Merwe, 4 Michail Kasfikis, 3 Keanuh Cameron Michaels, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Hlonela Qelile.

MATIES 15-10 UCT IKEYS

It was Maties who walked away smiling after a gutsy win over UCT Ikeys at the Green Mile in Cape Town.

Facing heavy wind, the Ikey Tigers fought hard to stop the Maties pack who held the home side tight in their 22-metre area. Both sides showed gutsy performances as the wind continued to blow at the Green Mile, something that seemed to be the difference on the field with no scores to show after 15 minutes of play.

Seven minutes before half-time, the Maroon Machine finally took advantage as wing Matthew Emile van Schalkwyk ran through the Tigers’ wall to dive under the poles. The try came just a few minutes after flyhalf Juan Mostert slotted a penalty.

The Cape Winelands side took a comfortable 10-0 lead as the game headed to the end of the first stanza.

Ikeys Tigers wing Ntokozo Makhaza gave the home fans hope as he scored a penalty after Maties were penalised for being offside, taking the score to 10-3.

Maties extended their lead to 15-3 with nine minutes left courtesy of a try by loosehead prop Vernon Matongo.

Ikeys retaliated in the final minutes when Jonathan Roche scored a try and Makhaza converted.

SCORERS:

For MATIES
Tries: Matthew Emile van Schalkwyk, Vernon Matongo
Con: Juan Mostert
Pen: Juan Mostert

For UCT IKEYS
Try: Jonathan Roche
Con: Ntokozo Makhaza
Pen: Ntokozo Makhaza

Player That Rocks: Mckyle Volmoer (Maties)

TEAMS

UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Ryan Koevort, 14 Luke John Burger, 13 Rethabile Donovan Louw, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, 10 Joshua Boulle, 9 Riaan Genis, 8 Taariq Mohammed Kruger, 7 Reynhardt Crous, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 Johan van Rhyn, 4 Enos Ndiao, 3 Bryan Justin Le Roux, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Mhleli Khethuxolo Khuzwayo.

Maties: 15 Louis Johannes du Preez, 14 Ryan Marcus Manuel, 13 Hofmeyr Gideon Retief, 12 Aydon Colin Topley, 11 Matthew Emile Van Schalkwyk, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Mckyle Volmoer, 8 Roland Leonard van der Heever, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Eric Chris Basson, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Matthys Jacobus Bernardus Kitshoff, 3 Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, 2 Siyasanga Ngubelanga, 1 Prince Rotondwa Mulea.

UFS SHIMLAS 34-31 UJ

UJ fell to their second consecutive loss when they went down to the visiting UFS Shimlas at the UJ Stadium in Johannesburg.

The Orange Army struck first through a try by Marius Coetzee after continued pressure.

The game was interrupted in the 11th minute when heavy rain forced the players off the field. Shortly after the game resumed Michael Annies broke through the UJ defensive line to give UFS a try as they levelled the score.

The Orange Army’s Prince Nkabinde broke the deadlock after overturned possession. Shimlas responded within minutes when Pierre-Raymond Uys dived over behind a driving maul. The visitors managed to score back-to-back tries when Frank Dos Reis extended their lead just before the break leaving the home side trailing 12-15.

UJ came back stronger in the second half when a Likhona Finca try ensured they took a narrow two-point lead. Nkabinde scored his brace within minutes.

The 64th minute was the turning point of the game when Siyambuka Ningiza went over the try line to give Shimlas the lead. A try by Siviwe Zondani ensured the visitors walked away with maximum points.

The UJ bench was on the edge of their seats as Benjamin Moya’s try closed out the game, ensuring they got a bonus point in defeat.

SCORERS:

For UJ
Tries: Marius Coetzee, Prince Nkabinde 2, Likhona Finca, Benjamin Moya
Cons: Rowan Malgas 2

For UFS SHIMLAS
Tries: Michael Annies, Pierre Raymond Uys, Frank Dos Reis, Siyambuka Ningiza, Siviwe Zondani
Cons: Ethan Wentzel 2

Player That Rocks: Prince Nkabinde (UJ)

TEAMS:

UJ: 15 Boldwin Hansen, 14 Pierre Raymond Uys, 13 Meyer Kriel, 12 Siphesihle Austin Nkabini, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Rowan Malgas, 9 Kgothatso Sono, 8 Kamohelo Rorisang Molefe, 7 Philip Apea Adu, 6 Testimony Boluwatife Dodo, 5 Marius Coetzee, 4 Tiaan Wessels, 3 Heiko Peter Eugene Pohlmann, 2 Mauritz Swart, 1 Roedolf Fouche Schoeman.

UFS Shimlas: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Kirwin Curtley Du Preez, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Gideon Jooste Nel, 11 Siviwe Zondani, 10 Ethan SJ Wentzel, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Siyambuka Sobe Nakhane Ningiza, 6 Cornelius Hermanus Smit Volschenk, 5 Katlego Khumo Lobakeng, 4 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 3 Riaan Jacobus van der Merwe, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 1 William Conley Pieterse.

WITS 34-17 CUT

Wits fought back from a half-time deficit to score their second victory of the season when they beat CUT in front of an excited home crowd in Johannesburg.

The first half saw a slow start from both teams, as they tried to get used to the slightly wet conditions. Passes went astray and the visitors looked more comfortable early on. CUT wing Zachery Bester found himself with acres of space out wide, picking up a pass and racing to dot down within five minutes. CUT flyhalf Juan Smith was successful with the conversion but he exceeded his kicking time, and it was disallowed. He was on time with his first penalty though.

The hosts, after making a few attempts, were finally rewarded with fullback Setshaba Mokoena slotting a penalty to make it 3-8. Smith added two more penalties for CUT before Wits’ captain fantastic Cal Smid crossed over for a try. The men from the Free State led 14-8 at half-time.

The second half saw a different Wits running on to the pitch, scoring four tries in the process with Kabelo Mokhethi, Marno Grobbelaar, Kivon Chirwa and Setshaba Mokoena crossing the try line.

CUT looked somewhat stunned, failing to keep the Witsies at bay. The visitors did however manage to add three points to their tally, through the boot of Smith.

SCORERS:

For WITS
Tries: Cal Smid, Kabelo Mokhethi, Marno Grobbelaar, Kivon Chirwa, Setshaba Mokoena
Cons: Setshaba Mokoena 3
Pen: Setshaba Mokoena

For CUT
Try: Zachery Bester
Pens: Juan Smith 4

Player That Rocks: George Devenish (Wits)

TEAMS

Wits: 15 Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena, 14 Dustyn Matthew Holmes, 13 Liyema Matyolweni, 12 Mark Dilan Snyman, 11 Kevon Nathan Simphiwe Chirwa, 10 Kabelo Mokhethi, 9 Mogamad Hassiem Pead, 8 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 7 Dewet-Grant Fourie, 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 5 Cal Smid, 4 George Lawson St Leger Devenish, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 2 Marno Grobbelaar, 1 Ronan Dutton.

CUT: 15 Natanael Young, 14 Adielson Gouveia, 13 Liam Prinsloo, 12 Septimus Dercksen, 11 Zachery Bester, 10 Juan Arnold Smith, 9 Triveno Swartz, 8 Jacobus Johannes Cloete, 7 Tsebano Edward Stemer, 6 Tjaart Jurie Van der Walt, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Asekho Phindile Marubelela, 3 Sisipho Nofuya, 2 Tokelo Oratile Ntaopane, 1 Albertus Human Venter.

Source: @varsitycup