Maties thump Western Cape rivals, Shimlas claim Bloem bragging rights

ROUND FIVE WRAP: UFS Shimlas safely navigated their way past city neighbours CUT in Round Five of the 2024 Varsity Cup and are now almost assured of a home semifinal.

Maties won the Western Cape derby against UWC while Wits came from behind to share the spoils with UCT Ikeys.

Defending champions NWU Eagles and UJ will have to return to the UJ Stadium on Tuesday after their match was called off because of inclement weather.

UFS 59–40 CUT

UFS Shimlas claimed the bragging rights and a fourth straight bonus point win with a 59-40 victory over CUT Ixias in Bloemfontein.

In a game of two halves, it was one-way traffic in the first stanza at a packed CUT Rugby Stadium as the Shimlas taught their neighbours a lesson in running rugby. The super-impressive Shimlas outside centre, Zane Bester, led the charge for the visitors by scoring a brace of point-of-origin tries in the first forty-minute period.

Jandré Nel went over for the Shimlas’ first of four point-of-origin tries seven-pointers that was set up by the fleet-footed wing, Kirwin du Preez, who also produced the magic for Bester’s first try.

There was also a penalty try for the Shimlas when Du Preez, who deserved a try, got taken out with a high tackle by Liam Prinsloo. For this tackle, Prinsloo was sent to the pink couch for ten minutes.

On the stroke of half-time, the Ixias finally managed to get on the board when the tighthead prop, Sisipho Nofuya, powered over for a converted try to see his team trailing 7-43 at the interval.

In the second 40-minute period the flow of the traffic went the other way and the Ixias showcased their renowned fighting spirit with Janco Cloete, Adielson Gouveia (point-of-origin), Juan Smith, Asekho Marubelela and Tiaan Naudé scoring to give themselves a sniff. But, tries by Shimlas flyhalf Ethan Wentzel and captain Neels Volschenk put it out of reach for the valiant Ixias.

The scorers:

For UFH 59:
Tries: Jandré Nel, Zane Bester 2, Penalty Try, Siviwe Zondani, Ethan Wentzel, Neels Volschenk
Cons: Wentzel 6

For CUT:
Tries: Sisipho Nofuya, Janco Cloete, Adielson Gouveia, Juan Smith, Asekho Marubelela, Tiaan Naudé
Cons: Juan Smith 3

Player That Rocks: Jandré Nel (UFS)

UFS: 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 Reinier Viljoen, 3 Francisco Dos Reis, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 1 Ntokozo Hlophe.

CUT: 15 Natanael Young, 14 Adielson Gouveia, 13 Zachery Bester, 12 Liam Prinsloo, 11 Liam Ethan De Wet, 10 Juan Arnold Smith, 9 Raydon Swartbooi, 8 Jacobus Johannes Cloete, 7 Irwin Ivan Meyer, 6 Tsebano Edward Stemer, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Asekho Phindile Marubelela, 3 Sisipho Nofuya, 2 Albertus Human Venter, 1 Jan-Hendrik Bessenger.

MATIES 63–14 UWC

Five-time Varsity Cup champions Maties outgunned bottom-of-the-log UWC 63-19 in their Cape derby in Bellville. The men from Stellenbosch built a solid base following a 19-7 half-time lead.

The home side made some telling runs in the opening quarter of the match when flyhalf Aaron Swartz swerved his way around three would-be Maties defenders to dot down for the first try. Conwill Conradie added the extras.

Maties bided their time well and worked economically with the possession and territory that they had in the first half, resulting in Vernon Matongo crashing over for a Maties unconverted try. The visitors soon compounded their score when DeWet Marais and Juan Mostert ran in for two unanswered tries.

It was a Maroon Machine affair in the second half when Maties ran in two point-of-origin and two five-pointers, to lead 49-7 as the second strategy break loomed.

A late consolation try courtesy of replacement scrumhalf Wian van der Sandt meant UWC could go into double digits on the scoreboard before the final whistle blew.

Maties ran in a few more tries towards the end of the match with their experience in the end proving too much for UWC in their first season back in the Cup division.

The scorers:

For Maties:
Tries: Vernon Matongo 2, DeWet Marais, Juan Mostert, Christiaan van Heerden-Smith, Louw Nel, Ryan Manuel, Edrich Viljoen, DeWet Marais
Cons: Juan Mostert 6

For UWC:
Tries: Aaron Swartz, Wian van der Sandt
Con: Conwill Conradie.

Player That Rocks: Juan Mostert (Maties)

Teams:

Maties: 15 Cade Martin Croy, 14 Paschal Uzoma Ekeji, 13 Ryan Marcus Manuel, 12 Brendan John Venter, 11 Matthew Emile Van Schalkwyk, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Mckyle Volmoer, 8 DeWet Marais, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Fortune Ntokozo Mpofu, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Zuko Poswa, 3 Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, 2 Siyasanga Ngubelanga, 1 Vernon Tadiwa Matongo.

UWC: 15 Jean Jacques van Schalkwyk, 14 Will Bradford Vraagom, 13 Denver-Junior Van Wyk, 12 Bryan John Breda, 11 Hlomla Ncana, 10 Aaron Benjamin Swartz, 9 Conwill Brooklyn Conradie, 8 Zinzan Magerman, 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

WITS 33–33 UCT

Wits fought back to hold a determined UCT Ikeys to a 33-33 stalemate at the Wits Stadium.

It took a last-minute try and conversion for the Witsies to avoid defeat against a team they enjoyed the better of in the territory and possession battle.

The first half saw Ikeys getting out of the blocks the quickest with a penalty inside the first two minutes with Ntokozo Makhaza making no mistake. The in-form wing was back in the thick of things again with a dazzling run that eventually saw him offloading to scrumhalf Riaan Genis, who neatly finished under the poles. Makhaza stepped up to convert and for the visitors to take a 12-0 lead.

The Witsies eventually got on the scoreboard in the 20th minute, after camping in the UCT 22. Scrumhalf Wernich Aucamp managed to pick up and score from close range, with Tireque Apolles converting to bring the score to 7-12. The rest of the half saw the visitors run in a further two tries, while the Witsies could only manage a converted penalty. The half-time score was 28-10 in favour of Ikeys.

The second half saw the home team showing sheer determination as they managed to restrict their opponents to a single try by prop Mhleli Khuzwayo. Wits ran in two more tries courtesy of Setshaba Mokoena and George Devenish before Ronan Dutton’s last grasp effort and Apolles’ conversion gave them a share of the points.

The scorers:

For Wits:
Tries: Wernich Aucamp, Setshaba Mokoena, George Devenish, Ronan Dutton
Cons: Tireque Apolles 4
Pen: Tireque Apolles

For UCT:
Tries: Riaan Genis 2, Duran Koevort, Mhleli Khuzwayo
Cons: Ntokoza Makhaza 2
Pen: Ntokozo Makhaza

Player That Rocks: Jonathan Roche (UCT)

Teams:

Wits: 15 Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena, 14 Dustyn Matthew Holmes, 13 Liyema Matyolweni, 12 Caleb Lombard, 11 Lindani Dweba, 10 Tireque Apolles, 9 Wernich Aucamp, 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.

UCT: 15 Duran Ryan Koevort, 14 Lezane George Davis, 13 Joshua Boulle, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, 10 Alexander Vermeulen, 9 Riaan Genis, 8 Reynhardt Crous, 7 Laro Delport, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 Johan van Rhyn, 4 Enos Ndiao, 3 John Kelly Ifechukwu Okonkwo, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Mhleli Khethuxolo Khuzwayo.

NWU 49-12 UJ

NWU Eagles have kept themselves in the running to defend their title when they beat UJ 49-12 in Round Five of the 2024 Varsity Cup in Johannesburg.

The Orange Army had to play in front of an empty UJ Stadium after the game was closed to spectators following Monday night’s postponement due to unfavourable weather conditions.

The visitors drew the first blood with a Matthew Fortuin touchdown. Marvelous Mashimbyi scored two tries before the break and added two more in the latter part of the game for the Eagles.

Keano Windvogel also added his name to the NWU scoresheet with a try.

UJ finally got on the scoreboard just before half-time when Boldwin Hansen dotted the ball behind the try line. Kurtley Kiewiet’s conversion add two more the Orange Army still trailed 7-30.

The second half saw NWU deny UJ multiple scoring opportunities with Prince Nkabinde’s try the only consolation for the Orange Army.

This was not enough to catch the Eagles as Clavin Clack crossed over for the defending champions to drive the comprehensive victory home.

The scorers:

For NWU:
Tries: Matthew Fortuin, Keano Windvogel, Marvelous Mashimbyi 4, Clavin Clack
Cons: Zinedine Robinson 4, Matthew Fortuin

For UJ:
Tries: Boldwin Hansen, Prince Nkabinde.
Con: Kurtley Kiewiet

Player That Rocks: Aphelele Emihle Madaka (FNB NWU Eagles)

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 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 7 Tian Van Zyl, 6 Hennie du Randt, 5 Franco Marais, 4 Stephan Kruge, 3 Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, 2 Chyle Van Zyl, 1 Matome Molebogeng Manyama.

UJ: 15 Rowan Malgas, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Sfiso Perseverance Dlamini, 12 Leonard Johannes Pelser, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Kurtley Kiewiet, 9 Kgothatso Sono, 8 Siyemukela Samukelo Ndlovu, 7 Philip Apea Adu, 6 Athi Galada, 5 Connor Van Buuren, 4 Marius Coetzee, 3 Heiko Peter Eugene Pohlmann, 2 Mauritz Swart, 1 Andrew Peter Siminyu.