Eagles rise to the top, UCT slaughter UWC

ROUND SIX WRAP: Defending champions NWU Eagles survived a late onslaught by CUT Ixias away from home to reclaim the top spot after Round Six of the 2024 Varsity Cup.

Former champions Maties handed UFS Shimlas only their second defeat of the season while UCT Ikeys completely demolished UWC in the Cape Town derby.

UJ won the battle against Johannesburg neighbours Wits.

NWU EAGLES 53–46 CUT IXIAS

It was a game of two halves in Bloemfontein that in the end saw NWU Eagles edge out CUT Ixias 53-46.

The hosts took the lead early and extended it twice through the boot of flyhalf Juan Smith before Eagles centre Arnold Volk charged down an attempted clearance from Smith and dotted down for the first try of the match.

Shortly after their opener, the visitors had to wave goodbye to Miyelani Ngobeni after he was shown a red card following poor judgement in a tackle.

Being a man short did not stop the Eagles as they raised their game, scoring four more tries, all converted by Zinedine Robinson. The half-time score was 37-12 in favour of the defending champions.

The second half began exactly as the first half ended, with an Eagles try. The game looked like it was decided, but a try from CUT prop Mamello Moshoaliba breathed life into the home side.

Smith’s perfect kicking continued to keep the home side within reach.

The defending champions however showed why they currently hold the trophy. With continued strength in defence, they kept the game in their favour despite being a man short for three-quarters of the contest.

The final ten minutes turned the game entirely on its head, as the Ixias scored three unanswered and converted point-of-origin tries.

Unfortunately, it was too little, too late, as the visiting Potchefstroom team took home maximum points.

The scorers:

For NWU Eagles:
Tries: Arnold Vlok, Matome Manyama, Naiden Jaarts, Luan van der Walt, Tian van Zyl 2, Calvin Clack.
Cons: Zinedine Robinson 7

For CUT Ixias:
Tries: Mamello Moshoaliba, Zac Bester, Adielson Gouveia, Jan-Hendrik Bessenger
Cons: Juan Smith 4
Pens: Juan Smith 3

Player That Rocks: Matthew Luke Fortuin (NWU Eagles)

Teams:

NWU: 15 Luan Jacobus Van Der Walt, 14 Keano Ricardo Windvogel, 13 Matthew Luke Fortuin, 12 Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 9 Aphelele Emihle Madaka, 8 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 7 Calvin Clack, 6 Hennie du Randt, 5 Miyelani Ngobeni, 4 Stephan Krugel, 3 Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, 2 Chyle Van Zyl, 1 Matome Molebogeng Manyama.

CUT: 15 Natanael Young, 14 Adielson Gouveia, 13 Zachery Bester, 12 Liam Prinsloo, 11 Tsepo Siphosethu Malumane, 10 Juan Arnold Smith, 9 Raydon Swartbooi, 8 Tjaart Jurie Van der Walt, 7 Irwin Ivan Meyer, 6 Tsebano Edward Stemer, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Asekho Phindile Marubelela, 3 Sisipho Nofuya, 2 Albertus Human Venter, 1 Mamello Moshoaliba.

MATIES 38–29 UFS SHIMLAS

Five-time champions Maties broke UFS Shimlas’ four-match unbeaten run with a 38-29 win at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.

The Maroon Machine was simply better in the basics, and this resulted in a comfortable bonus point win. It was rather ironic that it was one of the Maties’ ‘Bloem boys’ Dewet Marais who scored a hat-trick of tries.

The Shimlas were the first on the board through fullback Michael Annies who scored a point-of-origin try. This try started from a scrum five metres from the Shimlas line that saw Zane Bester make the break after collecting a chip-kick, and ultimately, Annies rounded off a stunning team try.

Dewet Marais got the Maties on the board with his first try, before Shimlas captain Pierre Uys struck back from a clever line-out variation. Shortly before half-time, Marais completed his brace which saw the visitors trailing 12-19.

Marias completed his hat-trick early in the second half to get the scoreboard ticking. The home team managed to strike back through Neels Volschenk. But tries by Hofmeyr Retief, Eric Basson and Louw Nel put the game out of reach for the Shimlas.

On the stroke after full-time, Jandré Nel scored for the Shimlas to see them earn at least a point in the game.

The scorers:

For Maties:
Tries: Dewet Marais 3, Hofmeyr Retief, Eric Basson, Jacobus Nel
Cons: Juan Mostert 4

For UFS Shimlas:
Tries: Michael Annies, Pierre Uys, Neels Volschenk, Jandre Nel
Cons: Ethan Wentzel 2
Pen: Ethan Wentzel

Player That Rocks: Louw Nel (Maties)

Teams:

Maties: 15 Hofmeyr Gideon Retief, 14 Paschal Uzoma Ekeji, 13 Ryan Marcus Manuel, 12 Aydon Colin Topley, 11 Matthew Emile Van Schalkwyk, 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 Kirwin Curtley Du Preez, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Gideon Jooste Nel, 11 Siviwe Zondani, 10 Ethan SJ Wentzel, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Siyambuka Sobe Nakhane Ningiza, 7 Katlego Khumo Lobakeng, 6 Cornelius Hermanus Smit Volschenk, 5 John Raymond Stopforth, 4 Pierre-Raymond Freddie Uys, 3 Francisco Dos Reis, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 1 Ntokozo Hlophe.

UCT IKEYS 91–9 UWC

The Chester Williams Memorial Trophy remains with UCT Ikeys for another year after they beat UWC 91-9 at the UWC Sports Stadium.

In perfect conditions for some entertaining rugby, Ikeys brought the heat to Bellville running in 13 tries to one when they thoroughly outplayed Udubs in their backyard.

Ntokozo Makhaza kept the scoreboard ticking over with his accuracy off the tee and made telling runs that got the visitors over the advantage line at regular intervals.

The home side enjoyed very little ball, and had it not been for a few errors when they did carry the ball, their promising phases of attack could have kept them within touching distance of the Ikey Tigers.

As the players headed into the sheds for half-time, UCT was comfortable on the scoreboard, leading by 33-0.

The second half got off with a repeat of the opening 40 minutes, with Ikeys scoring five seven-point tries. Luke Burger first completed his hat-trick and then added a fourth to his tally.

An all-around clinical display by UCT proved to be too much firepower for UWC to handle in their final home game of the season.

The scorers:

For UCT Ikeys:
Tries: Joshua Miller, Luke Burger 4, Keagan Blanckenberg 2, Mika Schubbert 2, Joshua Miller, Ntokozo Makhaza, Tian Vorster, Alexander Vermeulen.
Cons: Ntokozo Makhaza 5, Alexander Vermeulen 3

For UWC:
Try: Hlomla Ncana
Con: Aaron Swartz

Player That Rocks: Luke Burger (UCT)

Teams:

UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Ryan Koevort, 14 Luke John Burger, 13 Joshua Boulle, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, 10 Alexander Vermeulen, 9 Joshua Keith Miller, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Taariq Mohammed Kruger, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 Johan van Rhyn, 4 Reynhardt Wouter Crous, 3 Jovan Bekker, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Mhleli Khethuxolo Khuzwayo.

UWC: 15 Jean van Schalkwyk, 14 Bevan Simons, 13 Denver-Junior Van Wyk, 12 Bryan John Breda, 11 Hlomla Ncana, 10 Aaron Benjamin Swartz, 9 Wian van der Sandt, 8 Zinzan Magerman, 7 Melumzi Mandongana, 6 Almore Kuilders, 5 Carel van der Merwe, 4 Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, 3 Franco Ceasar, 2 Ruben Swanepoel, 1 Hlonela Qelile.

UJ 49–26 WITS

In the battle of the Johannesburg neighbours, UJ secured their first victory of the season when they beat Wits 49-26 at the UJ Stadium.

Wits were the first to break the deadlock when hooker Dewet Lottering broke through to go over the line. Dustyn Holmes did not waste time adding another one for the visitors.

The Orange Army opened up play and took full advantage of building phase after phase to claim a points-of-origin try through Sfiso Dlamini. He was an important player for his team as he secured a brace.

Kurtley Kiewiet also added to UJ’s success, not only on conversion duty but also contributing to the tries tally as they took a 16-12 half-time lead.

The Orange Army’s Likhona Finca crossed the try line just after play resumed in the second half. It was Luhle Matyolweni who responded for Wits.

Connor van Buuren and David Cary added to the UJ try feast.

Both teams faced difficulties throughout the match. UJ prop Andrew Siminyu came off after an injury while Wits had to spend some time with a 14-man squad after Tireque Apolles was sent off due to a head collision.

The scorers:

For UJ:
Tries: Sfiso Dlamini 2, Kurtley Kiewiet, Likhona Finca, Connor van Buuren, David Cary
Cons: Kurtley Kiewiet 5, Rowan Malgas
Pens: Kurtley Kiewiet

For Wits:
Tries: Dewet Lottering, Dustyn Holmes, Luhle Matyolweni, Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena
Cons: Tireque Apolles, Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena 2

Player That Rocks: Likhona Finca (UJ)

Teams:

UJ: 15 Rowan Malgas, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Sfiso Perseverance Dlamini, 12 Likhona Finca, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Kurtley Kiewiet, 9 Liam Rowan, 8 Franco Julian Schutte, 7 Philip Apea Adu, 6 Kamohelo Rorisang Molefe, 5 Connor Van Buuren, 4 Marius Coetzee, 3 Bian Douglas Janse Van Rensburg, 2 Mauritz Swart, 1 Andrew Peter Siminyu.

Wits: 15 Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena, 14 Dustyn Matthew Holmes, 13 Liyema Matyolweni, 12 Mthokozisi Siyabonga Xulu, 11 Lindani Dweba, 10 Tireque Apolles, 9 Mogamad Pead, 8 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 7 Thandolwethu Biyela, 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 5 George Lawson St Leger Devenish, 4 Armin Durandt Weideman, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 2 Dewet Lottering, 1 Jason Cloete.