CUT Ixias stun Tuks for play-off spot

VARSITY WRAP: CUT claimed a thrilling 41-40 victory against UP-Tuks at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, while there were also Round 9 wins for UCT, NWU, Wits and Maties.

As a result, second-placed Maties will meet third-placed UP-Tuks in the first Varsity Cup semi-final on Friday, May 28, with the table-topping UCT Ikeys taking on the winner of Tuesday’s rescheduled Round 7 match between the CUT Ixias and NWU Eagles in Friday’s second semi-final.

UCT 34(7) Madibaz 23(8)

UCT secured top spot on the Varsity Cup log with a bonus-point victory against the winless Madibaz at the Tuks B-Field.

The Ikey Tigers made 12 changes to their starting lineup with an eye on their upcoming semi-final and it did disrupt their rhythm in the first half.

UCT struck first in the 11th minute as hooker Josh van Vuuren barrelled his way over with inside centre Michael Brink converting. This proved to be their last points of the first stanza.

Madibaz flyhalf Warrick Day slotted a penalty before replacement scrumhalf André Gerber darted away from a scrum to score the first try.

Outside centre Aya Oliphant ran in a delightful point-of-origin try to hand the men from the Eastern Cape a 15-7 lead early in the second half.

But UCT then corrected the ship, with Brink bagging a brace before lock Matthew Grobler scored a point-of-origin bonus-point try.

Replacement flyhalf James Tedder and replacement utility back Kyle Bowman slotted penalties to extend the lead to 34-18 before Madibaz flyhalf Tiaan Schutte, who dropped a goal earlier in the half, crossed for a consolation try.

Player That Rocks: Michael Brink (UCT Ikeys)

The scorers:

For UCT Ikeys:
Tries: Josh van Vuuren, Michael Brink (2), Matthew Grobler (1×7).
Cons: Brink 3
Pens: James Tedder, Kyle Bowman.

For Madibaz:
Tries: André Gerber, Aya Oliphant (1×7), Tiaan Schutte.
Pen: Warrick Day.
Drop goal: Schutte.

UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Ntokozo Makhaza, 13 Sibabalwe Mzanywa, 12 Michael Brink, 11 Rihaz Fredericks, 10 David Hayes, 9 Brandon Salomo, 8 Christian Stehlik, 7 Byron Cranswick, 6 Keagan Blanckenberg, 5 Byron Bowes (captain), 4 Matthew Grobler, 3 Jovan Bekker, 2 Josh van Vuuren, 1 Ashwyn Adams.
Replacements: 16 Devon Arendse, 17 Seth Christian, 18 Luthando Woji, 19 Mika Schubert, 20 Liam Greenhalgh, 21 Kyle Bowman, 22 Le Roux Malan, 23 James Tedder.

Madibaz: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Khakalethu Bophi, 13 Aya Oliphant, 12 Tiaan Schutte, 11 Njabulo Toni, 10 Warrick Day, 9 Yomelela Keswa, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Cameron Cato, 6 Arnouw Nel, 5 Hardus van Eeden, 4 Laken Gray, 3 Le-Kleu Stokes, 2 Tembekile Boltina (captain), 1 Robert Lyons.
Replacements: 16 Corné Slabbert, 17 Jaco van der Walt, 18 Siyamthanda Jwacu, 19 André Gerber, 20 Chadwyn November, 21 Kholiwe Konza, 22 Tiaan Gerber.
Note: Madibaz will not have a player No 23

UJ 29(8) NWU Eagles 33(23)

NWU Eagles survived a second-half fightback from UJ to record a vital win at Loftus Versfeld.

The five log points brings with it a spicy showdown in the rescheduled Round 7 match on Tuesday, 25 May.

NWU led 28-8 after 52 minutes before UJ stormed back to lead 29-28 after 62 minutes. But two late yellow cards proved costly for the Orange Army as the Eagles scored the match-winning try against 13 men.

UJ centre Indiphile Tyeda opened the scoring with an early penalty goal, before NWU fullback Pienaar van Niekerk dotted down in the right corner.

The Eagles suffered a setback when they lost flyhalf Nivan Petersen to injury but winger Charl Pretorius lifted their spirits when he added his name to the scoresheet and captain Marco Donges added another conversion.

UJ were reduced to 14 men when lock Tyler Brown was yellow-carded for a high tackle after which Eagles winger Sylvester Hassien scored the first point-of-origin try of the afternoon.

No sooner had UJ returned to 15 men than NWU replacement centre Bernu Engelbrecht was carded for a late tackle. UJ wing Prince Nkabinde then powered over for a try to make it 23-8 at the break.

Van Niekerk got his second try 12 minutes into the second half to restore the Eagles’ 20-point lead, but Nkabinde turned the game on its head when he scored a sensational individual point-of-origin try.

That was followed shortly after by replacement flyhalf Jurich Claasens’ self-converted try, which put the Johannesburg outfit 29-28 ahead.

However, UJ’s discipline cost them when both captain Lunga Ncube and replacement prop Nkosikhona Masuku were yellow-carded for maul infringements.

NWU hooker Gustav du Rand went over for his eighth try of the tournament a couple minutes later for what proved to be the match-winner.

Player That Rocks: Indiphile Tyeda ( UJ)

The scorers:

For NWU Eagles
Tries: Pienaar van Niekerk (2), Charl Pretorius, Sylvester Hassien, Gustav du Rand.
Cons: Nivan Petersen, Marco Donges 2

For UJ:
Tries: Prince Nkabinde (1×5, 1×7), Indiphile Tyeda, Jurich Claasens.
Con: Jurich Classens.
Pen: Indiphile Tyeda.

UJ: 15 Nqubeko Mkwanazi, 14 Nkondlo Radebe, 13 Tyreeq February, 12 Indiphile Tyeda, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jonathan Viljoen, 9 Mpho Kubheka, 8 Franco Schutte, 7 Peter-John Steenkamp, 6 Siyabonga Masuku, 5 Tyler Brown, 4 Lunga Ncube (captain), 3 Chergin Fillies, 2 Pierre Rabie, 1 Kayden Kiewit.
Replacements: 16 Lehlohonolo Mphuthi, 17 Nkosikhona Masuku, 18 Herman Agenbag, 19 Philip Apea-Adu, 20 Tristan Dullisear, 21 Eduan Smit, 22 Jurich Claasens, 23 Boldwin Hansen.

NWU Eagles: 15 Pienaar van Niekerk, 14 Sylvester Hassien, 13 Meyer Kriel, 12 Marco Donges, 11 Charl Pretorius, 10 Nivan Petersen, 9 Caleb Louw, 8 André Fouché, 7 Sphephelo Mabuza, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 George van der Westhuizen, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Komape Moloto.
Replacemetns: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Ruben du Plessis, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Wihan Nel, 20 Jeandré Leonard, 21 Didintle Sekati, 22 Bernu Engelbrecht, 23 Keano Windvogel.

Wits 40(26) UWC 10(0)

Wits ended UWC’s semi-final hopes with a convincing win at the Tuks B-Field.

Udubs came into this match full of confidence after thrashing CUT, but two matches in four days appeared to take its toll as Wits claimed just their second win of the campaign.

Wits settled after a choppy opening 10 minutes as flank Mark Snyman forced his way over the line to score a converted try. Yet it would be rough seas for several more minutes, and only after Udubs lost fullback Gilroy Lee Philander to a yellow card, that the men in royal blue would bother the scoreboard again.

The wait proved to be worth it as a cheeky kick from the base of the ruck by scrumhalf Hlumelo Ndudala was hunted down by replacement utility back Siyabonga Xulu. Flyhalf Keagan Lailvaux added the extras.

With immense intent and direction, Wits made it difficult for Udubs to put together any meaningful phases of play and quickly discovered that their attack was more often than not being converted into defence by their opponents.

This was demonstrated when Wits hooker Dameon Venter and No 8 Lindokuhle Ncusane scored tries, with Lailvaux converting the latter to rack a commanding 26-0 half-time lead.

Udubs finally got a reward for their effort when flyhalf Ethan Diston slotted a penalty but this did little to dent the metal chassis of the Wits-mobile as fullback Setshaba Mokoena rounded off a sizzling point-of-origin try.

Yet another lull in play, with tempo set barely above undercooked, was finally broken as Ncusane floated over untouched to score.

Udubs did finish the match with a try when wing Lungi Msenge ran a deft line and replacement hooker Johan Lamprecht kicked the conversion.

Player That Rocks: Mark Snyman (Wits)

The scorers:

For Wits:
Tries: Mark Snyman, Siyabonga Xulu, Dameon Venter, Lindokuhle Ncusane (2), Setshaba Mokoena (1×7).

Cons: Keagan Lailvaux 4

For UWC:
Try: Lungi Msenge.
Con: Johan Lamprecht.
Pen: Ethan Diston.

Wits: 15 Setshaba Mokoena, 14 Sthsaba Mqhatu, 13 Jimmy Mpailane, 12 Yanga Hlalu, 11 Gerswin Mouton, 10 Keagan Lailvaux, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 7 Alexander Skudder, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 William Thomson, 4 Junior White, 3 Ebot Buma, 2 Dameon Venter (captain), 1 Jason Cloete.
Replacements: 16 Mulalo Sadiki, 17 Bhekisa Shongwe, 18 Keagan Glade, 19 Kyle van Eyssen, 20 Golden Msipha, 21 Dylan Meyer, 22 Liyema Matyolweni, 23 Siyabonga Xulu.

UWC: 15 Gilroy Lee Philander, 14 André Manuel, 13 Aydon Topley, 12 Lyle Hendricks, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Ethan Diston, 9 Branden de Kock, 8 Tinotenda Mavesere, 7 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 6 Romuald Nsombamanya, 5 Pieter-Steyl Swanepoel (captain), 4 Bronlee Mouries, 3 Justin Theys, 2 Jason Alexander, 1 Luvo Bazi.
Replacments: 16 Johan Lamprecht, 17 Jacques van Zyl, 18 Liam Tattersal, 19 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 20 Matthew Stephens, 21 Conwill Conradie, 22 Keanan Boonzaaier, 23 Riaan van der Merwe.

UFS Shimlas 24(5) Maties 81(39)

Maties thrashed UFS Shimlas at Loftus Versfeld to set up a semi-final meeting with UP-Tuks.

The five-time champions, who outscored their opponents by 11 tries to four, appear to be hitting their straps at the right time of the tournament.

It took Maties less than two minutes to cross Shimlas’ line when scrumhalf Lian du Toit scored a converted point-of-origin try.

Shimlas flank Thabo Ndimande was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, and Maties scored 16 points in his absence through hooker JJ Kotze and winger Marcqiewn Titus to go 25-0 up. Kotze then finished off a great team effort to score his second try, this one a seven-pointer.

UFS Shimlas finally got on the scoreboard through centre Danco Burger but Maties replacement back Juan Mostert scored their fifth try on the stroke of half-time to make it 39-5.

The maroon machine started the second half in the same fashion as the first when lock Dylan de Leeuw scored a point-of-origin try, and flank Gift Dlamini then took them beyond the 50-point mark.

UFS Shimlas did well to score three tries in the final 22 minutes of the match through replacement wing Shima Molepo, replacement scrumhalf Rewan Kruger and flyhalf JP Duvenage.

But Maties finished strongly, scoring three tries in the last 10 minutes, with replacement hooker HJ Luus grabbing a brace and centre Waqar Solaan also dotting down.

Player That Rocks: Lian du Toit (Maties)

The scorers:

For Maties:
Tries: Lian du Toit (2×7), JJ Kotze (1×5, 1×7), Marcqiewn Titus (1×7), Juan Mostert, Dylan de Leeuw (1×7), Gift Dlamini, HJ Luus (2), Waqar Solaan.
Cons: Christopher Schreuder 8

For UFS Shimlas:
Tries: Danco Burger, Rewan Kruger, Shima Molepo (1×7), JP Duvenage.
Con: Duvenage.

UFS Shimlas: 15 Luyanda Mkhize, 14 Francois Agenbag, 13 Shayne Bolton, 12 Danco Burger, 11 Aya Matroos, 10 JP Duvenage (captain), 9 Chadd Adams, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Kamohelo Chabana, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Thabang Mahlasi, 4 Pierre Uys, 3 JW Meades, 2 Wihan Marais, 1 Johan Schutte.
Replacements: 16 William Moffat, 17 Henty Beukes, 18 Tshepo Nchabeng, 19 Bakkies Rossouw, 20 Gustav Meyer, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Shima Molepo, 23 Luthando Buthelezi.

Maties: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 David Brits (captain), 12 Waqar Solaan, 11 Sibabalwe Xamlashe, 10 Christopher Schreuder, 9 Lian du Toit, 8 Johan Strauss, 7 Jesse Johnson, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marco van Rhyn, 4 Dylan de Leeuw, 3 James Combrinck, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Leon Lyons.
Replacements: 16 HJ Luus, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Matimu Manganyi, 19 Jaco Nel, 20 Mitchell Carstens, 21 Dylan ‘Bobby’ Alexander, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Taigh Schoor.

UP-Tuks 40(19) CUT Ixias 41(27)

UP-Tuks centre Zandré Kruger missed an 83rd-minute conversion as CUT claimed a one-point win at Loftus Versfeld to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

Leading 41-33, CUT looked set to run down the clock, only to concede a turnover with seconds remaining. UP-Tuks then did brilliantly to take the ball through 15-plus phases before replacement winger Enrique Cronjé scored a point-of-origin try two minutes into stoppage time.

However, the conversion – from a relatively difficult angle considering the pressure situation – went wide, much to CUT’s delight.

The Ixias will now face the NWU Eagles on Tuesday in a rescheduled Round 7 match that will effectively be a quarter-final.

CUT took an early 8-0 lead in this match when a penalty from flyhalf Charles Williams was followed by the first of four maul tries to hooker Janus Venter.

CUT’s forwards asserted their dominance once again when captain Luvoyo Ndevu scored and Williams’ conversion made it 15-0.

UP-Tuks got back into the game when centre Louritz van der Schyff powered over for a try, and hooker André van der Merwe added another to reduce the deficit to three.

UP-Tuks captain Eduan Lubbe put his team back into the lead, only for Venter to complete his hat-trick. Fullback Cohen Jasper converted the hooker’s third to make it 27-19 at half-time.

UP-Tuks hooker André van der Merwe and flank Llewellyn Classen were both yellow-carded for cynical infringements late in the first half and they were still off the field when Jasper finished off a point-of-origin try for the Ixias early in the second.

Kruger’s converted try gave UP-Tuks hope at 41-24 and when they were awarded a penalty try in the 71st minute, after Williams deliberately knocked the ball on, they were right back in the game.

Williams was yellow-carded and flank Ulrich Stander joined him in the sin bin in the 77th minute, but while 13-man CUT did eventually concede a try, they were able to start celebrating when the conversion went wide.

Player That Rocks: Xander Botha (CUT)

The scorers:

For UP-Tuks:
Tries: Louritz van der Schyff, André van der Merwe, Eduan Lubbe, Zandré Kruger, penalty try, Enrique Cronjé (1×7).
Cons: Jaylen James 3

For CUT Ixias:
Tries: Janus Venter (4), Luvoyo Ndevu, Cohen Jasper (1×7).
Cons: Charles Williams, Jasper 2
Pen: Williams.

UP-Tuks: 15 Ambesa Zenzile, 14 Ciaran Dayaram, 13 Zandré Kruger, 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 11 Lincoln Adams, 10 Jaylen James, 9 Ruhan Viviers, 8 Eduan Lubbe (captain), 7 Mihlali Stamper, 6 Llewellyn Classen, 5 Dawid Meiring, 4 Johannes Mare, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 André van der Merwe, 1 Cebolenkosi Dlamini.
Replacements: 16 Werner Fourie, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 Etienne Janeke, 19 Thomas Meyer, 20 Hanru Sirgel, 21 Clyde Lewis, 22 Tharquinn Manuel, 23 Enrique Oranje.

CUT Ixias: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Christiaan Nel, 13 Niell Stannard, 12 Heino Bezuidenhout, 11 Emilio Adonis, 10 Charles Williams, 9 Xander Botha, 8 Ulrich Stander, 7 Luvuyo Ndevu (c), 6 Andile Mfazwe, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Brendon Fortuin, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Thabiso Msiza.
Replacements: 16 Wandré Nortjé, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Tebogo Masemola, 19 Matthew Sekele, 20 Francois Bester, 21 Zinedine Booysen, 22 Tsepo Malumane, 23 Jandré de Beer.