Maties end Pukke's reign at the top

WRAP: FNB Varsity Cup Round 6, the Maties edged NWU Eagles in a tight four-point win, while UP-Tuks claim top spot.

The Orange Army continue their march towards the semifinals with a victory over a struggling Ixias side.

UP-Tuks came back from 14 points down to beat the Emeris Comets and claim top spot on the log, while the Shimlas kept their semifinal hopes alive with a crucial bonus-point victory over defending champions Ikey Tigers.

CUT 13-29 UJ

A hard-fought 29-13 win over the CUT Ixias in a wet and gritty Bloemfontein encounter – a scoreline that hardly reflects how tight the contest really was.

A late flurry of tries from the Orange Army sealed a valuable bonus-point victory, completing a double over the Bloemfontein sides and leaving UJ firmly on the brink of a semifinal spot – a remarkable turnaround less than a year after they narrowly avoided relegation.

UJ struck first in the rain-soaked conditions, with Francois Prinsloo crossing for the opening try. A penalty from Kehan Myburgh kept CUT in touch, as the hosts trailed just 5-3 at the break in a tense, arm-wrestle of a first half.

Myburgh added another penalty shortly after the restart to hand CUT the lead, which they held until the 60th minute when JT Kapank darted over to put UJ back in front. Toy Engelbrecht then extended the visitors’ advantage, but the Ixias responded immediately as Jean-Louis Theron dotted down a point-of-origin try to close the gap to just two points.

With the game hanging in the balance, UJ showed their class and composure. Late tries from Coun-Lee Koekman and Exauce Kevani broke CUT’s resistance and ultimately flattered the final score, as the Orange Army surged clear in the dying moments.

For the Ixias, it was a frustrating outing, particularly at line-out time, where they battled badly and struggled to secure their own ball. That failure at the set piece proved costly, especially inside the opposition’s 22, where a key attacking weapon deserted them. With relegation now looming large, CUT will have one final opportunity next week to save their season.

Despite the defeat, there were encouraging signs from the Ixias in a performance that was far more competitive than the scoreboard suggests.

The scorers:

For CUT:
Tries : Jean-Louis Theron (POR)

For UJ:
Tries: Francois Prinsloo, JT Kapank, Toy Engelbrecht, Coun-Lee Koekman, Exauce Kevani.

Player of the Match: Jeandre Uithaler (UJ)

TEAMS:

CUT: Devinto Vergotine, Kutlo Seyoko, Matthys Malan, Winton Abrahams, Jade Muller, Kehan Myburgh, Raydon Swartbool, Hope Seyaga, Dean Sciocatti, Jordan Davids, Oyama Frans, Petrus Nel, Vuyo Holiday, Tokelo Ntaopane (captain), Jan-Hendrik Bessenger.

UJ: Jeandre Uithaler, Mnelisi Gamede, Tholithemba Sibisi, Reuven Ferreira, Zenkosi Mthiyane, Nicallen Gabrielsen, Berwyn Bosch, Thabang Mphafi (captain), Kamo Molefe, Toy Engelbercht, Juan Fourie, Jaythen Orange, Damian Baker, Francois Prinsloo, Sifiso Magwaza.

Maties 30-26 NWU Eagles

A top-of-the-table clash unfolded in the penultimate round of the Varsity Cup as third-placed Maties hosted table-toppers NWU Eagles.

The sides clashed at a windy Danie Craven Stadium on Monday night as the battle for semifinal spots intensified. The men from Stellenbosch prevailed in a 30-26 win at home.

Both sides traded penalties in a swirling wind to get on the scoreboard during the opening 15 minutes. The first half proved to be a battle of wits that swayed in the direction of the home side who were handed a penalty try after their maul was collapsed 5 metres out from the try line. Louis Fourie added the extra five points after
Maties opted for the Tap, giving them a 12-point lead. Eagles captain Stephan Krugel was shown a yellow card as a result.

The home side sensed an opportunity with a numerical advantage and extended their lead courtesy of CJ Erasmus, who crashed over the line after a sustained wave of attack inside the Eagles’ 22. The home side is heading into the break with a 15-point lead.

The visitors came out of the dressing room like a team on a mission in the second half to score two tries in the space of eight minutes after the restart. Raniel Turner got his side’s first try of the match with a valuable seven-pointer. An end-to-end passage of play unfolded – first, Maties were denied a seven-pointer of their own after great defensive work by the Eagles. The visitors then ran the ball from their own try line for their second Point of Origin score with Leejay Petersen applying the finishing touch for a one-point lead.

Keanuh Michaels put his side back in the lead as Maties capitalised on a brilliant 50-22 by MC van Heerden Smith. Just two minutes later and the visitors were back in the lead after Logan Janeke slipped through tackles to dot down, the conversion sailed between the uprights, giving the Eagles a 26-23 lead with 12 minutes to play.

The Maroon Machine maintained their belief and kept the ball going through the phases despite being denied by the dogged NWU defence. With just four minutes left on the clock, Louw Du Toit gathered the ball from the ruck, dummied a pass to beat the defence, and put his side back in the lead. MC van Heerden used the wind to slot a tricky conversion that gave his side a four-point lead. Maties were able to hold firm and stop the Eagles from snatching a late try for a hard-fought victory.

The scorers:

For Maties:
Tries: PENALTY TRY, Louis Fourie, CJ Erasmus, Keanuh Michaels, Louw Du Toit

For NWU Eagles:
Tries: Raniel Turner, Leejay Petersen, Logan Janeke.

Player of the Match: Ruan van Willing (NWU Eagles)

TEAMS:

Maties: Janlu Basson, CJ Erasmus, Keanuh Michaels, Zuko Poswa, Luan Botha, Fortune Mpofu, Louw Dut Toit, Tjaart Joubert, Ezekier Ngobeni (Captain), Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Huhgo Van Zitters, CJ Marx, Ryan Manuel, Louis Fourie, Elridge Jack, Luthando Makula, Jason Johnson, Ammaar Burton, Luke Swartz, Ethan Snyman, Mckyle Volmoer, Sebastian Hahn, Simon Liversage.

NWU Eagles: Alethwa Buthelezi, Jordan Mcloughlin, Jason Oosthuizen, Stephan Krugel (Captain), Raniel Turner, Ricardo Fourie, Tian Van Zyl, Guhan Du Bois, Zack Serfontein, Ruan van Willing, Logan Janeke, Leejay Petersen, Matthew Fortuin, Luyolo Doyi, Luan Van der Walt, Hanro Venter, Lachibo Tchokonte-Nana, Jaco Du Toit, Schalk Du Plessis, Sean Roulston, Gary Otto, MJ Mostert, Jamaine Dampies

UFS Shimlas 40-33 UCT Ikeys

The UFS Shimlas kept their Varsity Cup semifinal hopes alive with a crucial 40-33 bonus-point victory over the FNB UCT Ikeys in Bloemfontein.

It was a proper humdinger at Shimla Park – a match that took a while to find its rhythm, but once it did, it exploded into a classic Varsity Cup thriller packed with drama, momentum swings and big-match intensity.

UFS Shimlas struck first, with Vice Hofmeyer powering over from a well-driven maul, but UCT responded in identical fashion soon after. Just before the break, Jaco Bezuidenhout added another maul try for the hosts, while Alex Vermeulen slotted a penalty to see Shimlas take a slender 12-10 lead into half-time.

The second half burst into life in the 48th minute when winger Kirwan du Preez finished a superb point-of-origin try for UFS. Moments later, Erich Visser crossed from a quick tap, stretching the lead to what looked like a commanding 18 points.

But the defending champions hit back with real intent. In a blistering two-minute spell, Sino Brawen and Jack Benade both dotted down for point-of-origin tries to wipe out the deficit in the blink of an eye. Four minutes later, UCT edged ahead for the first time when replacement hooker Johan Lombard crashed over from a maul.

With their season hanging by a thread, the Shimlas refused to lie down. As the clock ticked into the final stages, livewire flanker Ferdi Vergottini muscled his way over for a crucial try to swing the momentum back in favour of the hosts.

Then, right on full-time, Bezuidenhout bulldozed over for his second after another powerful maul – a score that summed up the Shimlas’ grit and cohesion, and one they’ll no doubt credit as a true team effort.
The result keeps UFS Shimlas firmly in the hunt as the race for the semifinals heads into the final round of league fixtures.

The scorers:

For UFS Shimlas:

Tries: Vice Hofmeyer, Jaco Bezuidenhout X2, Kirwin du Preez (POR), Erich Visser, Ferdie Vergottini.

For UCT Ikey:

Tries: Isaiah Louw, Sino Brawen (POR), Jack Benade (POR), Johan Lombard.

Player of the Match: Henri van Heerden (UFS Shimlas).

TEAMS:

UFS Shimlas: Gunter van Rensburg, Kirwin du Preez, Wynand Botha, Freddie Dreyer, Siviwe Zondani, Bradley Giddy (c), Alastair-Cole Vermeulen, Liam Shamburg, Sandile Nzuza, Henri van Heerden, Juan Venter, HJ de Beer, Ongeziwe Mobo, Vice Hofmeyer, Musa Moshoaliba

UCT Ikeys: Setshaba Mokoena, Jack Benade, Kian Davis, Amahle Mazibuko, Lezane Davis, Alex Vermeulen, Monray Daars, Aidan Norris, Aiden De Costa, Isaiah Louw, Adam de Waal, Enos Ndiao (captain), Phiko Zuka, Nic van Schalkwyk, Matthew Beckett.

UP-Tuks 27-24 Emeris

The Stripe Generation had to dig deep to secure a narrow 27-24 victory over Emeris. UP-Tuks played hosts to newcomers Emeris in a cloudy Capital city evening, aiming to return to winning ways while their counterparts were gunning for a second win.

In the battle of David and Goliath, the visitors strike first courtesy of Jayden Fortuin following a counterattack. Fortuin fly over in the corner to hand the visitors the lead.

The visitors were not done as they continued their sensational attacks, bagging a second try just under 26 minutes. Sphephelo Mbonambi powering over the line as the Emeris went 12 points up.

The home struggled to connect and barely formed any attacks. Finally, they put points on the board, thanks to Jean Fourie. From a driving maul, Fourie dotted down to put his side back in the game.

Emeris blew Tuks’ defence with a cheeky attack and deadly counterattacks.

The visitors extended their lead with a try of the season contender try from Edward Sigauke, cutting through Tuks’ defence from the 50m mark to go all the way and fly over the try line.

Tuks looked too strong on set plays and were awarded another try from a driving maul with Fourie getting his second of the night.  Emeris is taking a four-point lead at the break.

The home side strikes fast in the second stanza again from a maul and the hooker Fourie. The Stripe Generation is taking the lead for the first time. Emeris showed their strength in the forwards with substitute Jacques Marais dotting down from a maul to regain the visitors lead.

It remained a close contest with Tuks piling pressure on the Emeris defence. The Stripe was awarded the winning try from the captain. Divan Du Toit converted the extras to seal a 27-24 victory for Tuks.

The scorers:

For UP-Tuks:
Tries: Jean Fourie X3, David Engongo, Dillon Smith.

For Emeris :
Tries: Jayden Fortuin, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Edward Sigauke, Jacques Marais, Dillon Smith.

Player of the Match: Jean Fourie (UP-Tuks)

TEAMS:

UP-Tuks: Buhle Mpaka, Jean Fourie, Jayd Austin, Ben Jansen van Vuuren, David Engongo, Abel Pretorius, Jacques Oberholzer, Dillon Smith , Chad-Lee Valentine, Jaedon de Leeuw, Buhle Planga, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Munashe Dukuswa, Andile Myeni, Van Reenen Kruger

Emeris: Thabo Njapha, Andrew Davis, Nathi Ntuli, Garren Muller, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Thando Luthuli, Meno Barnard, Juan Orde Steyl, Christian Els, Frederick Marx, Edward Sigauke, Mambo Mkhize, Chris Horak, Jayden Fortuin, Chijindu Okonta