UCT, Tuks and CUT still unbeaten

VARSITY CUP: UCT, CUT Ixias and the host UP-Tuks have recorded their third consecutive wins, while UWC bounced back with a win over Madibaz in Round three.

We bring you all the action of Round Three! 

UCT 39 (21) UJ 34 (19)

It took just three minutes for the Ikey Tigers to flex their attacking muscle as flyhalf James Tedder delayed his pass perfectly for charging flank Taariq Kruger to run a sublime line and cross untouched for a point-of-origin try.

Fullback Athi Gazi did extremely well to pin his ears back and score in the corner 14 minutes later as the men in hoops hopped onto a 12-0 lead just before the first half’s strategy break.

UJ struggled initially to contain their opponents but found their groove to score a point-of-origin try by Nkondlo Radebe, which flyhalf Jurich Claasens converted after missing a penalty attempt earlier on.

The scoreboard pendulum quickly swung both ways as the Ikey Tigers capitalised off a strong lineout drive with hooker Josh van Vuuren dotting down a converted try, before quick thinking by UJ’s backs allowed fullback Boldwin Hansen to score a converted try.

Claasens cut the deficit to three points just before the break through a penalty goal as UCT enjoyed their oranges with a slender 21-19 lead.

The second half was much the same as both teams kept the scoreboard ticking over with UJ grabbing the lead with a penalty before UCT ran in another point-of-origin try that started from a strong scrum, through several hands before outside centre Le Roux Malan exploited a gap to score their bonus-point try.

No.8 Franco Schutte took heed of his coaches’ advice at the strategy break as he scored a brace off powerful running and strong leg drives close to the line.

But Tedder ensured that the Ikey Tigers remained in the lead with two late penalty goals and left the first bio-bubble unbeaten after three rounds.

Player that Rocks: Byron Bowes (UCT Ikeys)

The scorers:

For UCT:
Tries: Kruger (one sev-point try), Gazi, Van Vuuren, Malan (one sev-point try),
Cons: Tedder 3
Pens: Tedder 3

For UJ:
Tries: Radebe (one sev-point try), Hansen, Schutte 2
Cons: Claasens 3
Pens: Claasen 2

Teams:

UCT Ikeys: 15 Athi Gazi, 14 Rihaz Fredericks, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Sibabalwe Mzanywa, 11 Rethabile Louw, 10 James Tedder, 9 Kyle Bowman, 8 Liam Greenhalgh (captain), 7 Taariq Kruger, 6 Jason Smith, 5 Byron Bowes, 4 Matthew Grobler, 3 Jovan Bekker, 2 Josh van Vuuren, 1 Luthando Woji.
Replacements: 16 Jason Hofmeyr, 17 Seth Christian, 18 Phelelani Zuma, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Cornelius Otto, 21 Brandon Salomo, 22 David Hayes, 23 Duran Koevort.

UJ: 15, Boldwin Hansen, 14 Siphamandla Matsinya, 13 Nkondlo Radebe, 12 Musawenkosi Tshabalala, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jurich Claasens, 9 Eduan Smit, 8 Franco Schutte, 7 Kwagga van Niekerk, 6 Siyabonga Masuku, 5 Brendon Pawson, 4 Lunga Ncube, 3 Chergin Fillies, 2 Darnell Osuagwu, 1 Kayden Kiewit.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Rabie, 17 Nkosikhona Masuku, 18 Coenrad Vrey, 19 Philip Apea-Adu. 20 Kelvin Kanenungo, 21 Mpho Kubheka, 22 Indiphile Tyeda, 23 Enrique Franks.

UWC 47 (30) Madibaz 40 (19)

The Madibaz made a strong start at Tuks Stadium when hooker Thembekile Boltina went over from a maul, but UWC hit back through Mavasere, who beat two defenders on his way to the tryline.

Boltina got over for his second, before UWC hooker Jacques van Zyl dotted down almost immediately after the first strategy break to make it a two-point game.

Mavasere then scored two tries in quick succession, the latter a point-of-origin seven-pointer, to give UWC a 30-19 half-time lead.

The Madibaz pack got them back into the game when flank Anrouw Nel went over early in the second half.

But UWC regained control when fullback Gilroy-Lee Philander broke the line and flyhalf André Manuel’s excellent pass put wing Tasriq Mynhardt over in the corner for a seven-point try.

Despite only having 14 men on the field after fullback Tiaan Swanepoel was sent to the sin bin, Nel grabbed his second try.

Madibaz hooker Ruan Jonker then scored a converted point-of-origin try in the 80th minute, which reduced the deficit to seven points. But while there was still time for the restart, UWC were able to hang on for the win.

Player that Rocks: Tinotenda Mavesere (UWC)

The scorers:

For UWC
Tries: Mavesere, Van Zyl 2, Mavesere (try, one sev-point try), Mynhardt (one sev-point try)
Cons: De Kock 5
Pen: De Kock

For Madibaz:
Tries: Boltina 2, Oliphant, Nel 2, Jonker (one sev-point try)
Cons: Schutte 4

UWC: 15 Gilroy Lee Philander, 14 Tasriq Mynhardt, 13 Aydon Topley, 12 Lyle Hendricks, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Mikyle Vraagom, 9 Branden de Kock, 8 Bradman Grove, 7 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Pieter-Steyl Swanepoel (captain), 4 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 3 Justin Theys, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Luvo Bazi.
Replacements: 16 Mauritz Swart, 17 Ebrahiem Davids, 18 Johan Lamprecht, 19 Romuald Nsombamanya, 20 Conwill Conradie, 21 André Manuel, 22 Patrick Kotze, 23 Reece Bocks.

Madibaz: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Kholiwe Konza, 13 Aya Oliphant, 12 Tiaan Schutte, 11 Njabulo Toni, 10 Chadwyn November, 9 Gavin Mills, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Jaco van der Walt, 6 Arnouw Nel, 5 Laken Gray, 4 Luyolo Dapula (captain), 3 Le-Kleu Stokes, 2 Tembekile Boltina, 1 Hugo Pienaar.
Replacements: 16 Ruan Jonker, 17 Robert Lyons, 18 Cade Cambier, 19 Siyamthanda Jwacu, 20 Wayne Moss, 21 Johan Lombard, 22 Nkoka Ngobe, 23 Warwick Griffin.

CUT Ixias 31 (21) UFS Shimlas 24 (7)

In arguably the matchup of Round 3, UFS Shimlas took a 7-3 lead in the 14th minute when hooker William Moffat enjoyed the fruits of the forwards’ labour at lineout time to score the opening try.

There certainly wasn’t any love lost between the two sets of players as they ran into collision after collision as the Pretoria sun beat down relentlessly.

The Ixias turned the screws before and after the strategy break as they crossed twice courtesy of flyhalf Charles Williams and flank Hans Terblanche. Williams converted his own try and added two penalty goals to give his charges a comfortable 21-7 lead at the break.

The third ‘chukka’ of the match was jam-packed with impressive attacking runs and a resolute defence as the men from Bloemfontein sussed each other out.

The Ixias profited first, four minutes into the second half, as outside centre Niell Stannard powered through several tackles to reach out and score. Shimlas responded in kind six minutes later as Moffat bagged his brace.

Credit must be given to Shimlas as they never stopped pushing for the win and were rewarded with a try by inside centre Johannes Klinck, which was converted by replacement flyhalf Ethan Wentzel.

Desperate to keep the Ixias out, UFS Shimlas found themselves guilty of ill-discipline and received two yellow cards in quick succession to fullback Cham Zondeki and replacement lock George Rossouw with time running out for Shimlas to make a comeback.

It was not to be as CUT held out against Shimlas’ last-ditch attempt to pull a win out of the bag.

Player that Rocks: Charles Williams (CUT Ixias)

The scorers:

For CUT Ixias
Tries: Williams, Terblanche, Stannard
Cons: Williams 2
Pens: Williams 3

For UFS Shimlas:
Tries: Moffat, Klinck
Cons: Duvenage, Wentzel
Pen: Wentzel

CUT Ixias: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Ricoman Titus, 13 Niell Stannard, 12 Heino Bezuidenhout, 11 Tsepo Malumane, 10 Charles Williams, 9 Zinedine Booysen, 8 Ulrich Stander, 7 Luvuyo Ndevu (captain), 6 Hans Terblanche, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Brendon Fortuin, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Eddie Davids.
Replacements: 16 Andile Mfazwe, 17 Tebogo Masemola, 18 Raynard Esterhuizen, 19 Bennett Nortje, 20 Hardus Nel, 21 Xander Botha, 22 Jandré de Beer, 23 Emilio Adonis.

UFS Shimlas: 15 Cham Zondeki, 14 Shima Molepo, 13 Shayne Bolton, 12 Janco Klinck, 11 Aya Matroos, 10 JP Duvenage, 9 Hlumelo Klaas, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe (captain), 7 Uzile Tele, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Thabang Mahlasi, 4 Pierre Uys, 3 Henty Beukes, 2 William Moffat, 1 Daniel Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Carl Wijburg, 17 Johan Schutte, 18 Tshepo Nchabeng, 19 George Rossouw, 20 Revano Muller, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ethan Wentzel, 23 Jorell Arries.

NWU Eagles 15 (10) UP Tuks 33 (9)

The tournament hosts once again recovered from a slow start, having trailed 10-9 at the break.

After back-to-back Player That Rocks performances, hooker Gustav du Rand opened the scoring for the NWU Eagles, with Keagan Fortune making the conversion look easy.

Fullback Zander du Plessis got UP-Tuks on the board when he slotted a mammoth 55m penalty, which he followed shortly afterwards with another from just inside opposition territory.

Fortune’s penalty gave the NWU Eagles a 10-6 lead, before UP-Tuks prop Dewald Donald was yellow-carded for a high tackle. Du Plessis then made it a one-point game when he kicked a touchline penalty.

UP-Tuks stepped up a gear in the second half, with Du Plessis’ fourth penalty followed by a try to No 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout, who found space out wide to sneak in the corner.

Just as the Eagles looked like they were getting back into the game, scrumhalf Riaan Genis was yellow-carded and UP-Tuks flank Eduan Lubbe made them pay for it with a try.

Scrumhalf Clyde Lewis then raced away for the hosts’ third try, with Du Plessis’ conversion completing a perfect night with the boot.

Replacement Jandré de Beer scored a try for the NWU Eagles after the hooter but it was UP-Tuks who celebrated a third successive win.

Player That Rocks: Zander du Plessis ( UP-Tuks)

The scorers:

For NWU Eagles:
Tries: Du Rand, De Beer
Con: Fortune
Pen: Fortune

For UP-Tuks
Tries: Bezuidenhout, Lubbe. Lewis
Cons: Du Plessis 3
Pens: Du Plessis 4

NWU Eagles: 15 Shane van Rooyen, 14 Keano Windvogel, 13 Lincoln Daniels (captain), 12 Conan Le Fleur, 11 Pienaar van Niekerk, 10 Keagan Fortune, 9 Riaan Genis, 8 Ruben Dreyer, 7 Sphephelo Mabuza, 6 André Fouché, 5 Jeandré Leonard, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Komape Moloto, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Ruben du Plessis.
Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Abraham Baumann, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Wihan Nel, 20 Jandré de Beer, 21 Caleb Louw, 22 Marco Donges, 23 Meyer Kriel.

UP-Tuks: 15 Zander du Plessis, 14 Stephan Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe (captain), 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 11 Ambesa Zenzile, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Clyde Lewis, 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout, 7 Orateng Koikanyang, 6 Eduan Lubbe, 5 Thomas Meyer, 4 Mihlali Stamper, 3 Etienne Janeke, 2 Werner Fourie, 1 Cebolenkosi Dlamini.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 André van der Merwe, 19 Lindo Luthuli, 20 Divan Venter, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Bayanda Ngubane, 23 Jaylen James.

Maties 19 (5) Wits 13 (8)

This was a special occasion for Wits captain Constant Beckerling, who donned the blue and yellow for the 50th time. And he would have celebrated it with a win had his team taken their scoring opportunities on the night.

Wits flyhalf Christian Humphries kicked an early penalty, before Maties replied with a try from hooker HJ Luus.

After Wits fullback Jimmy Mpailane had been sent to the sin bin, Humphries was off-target with his second penalty-goal attempt.

Centre Henco van Wyk got the breakthrough Wits needed when he beat several defenders to score his first Varsity Cup try for Wits. Humphries’ conversion went wide but his team went into the break 8-5 up.

Eight minutes into the second half, Maties captain David Brits put winger Munier Hartzenberg away for a try in the corner and Nevaldo Fleurs added the conversion.

However, Maties were unable to capitalise on other scoring opportunities, while Wits also let promising chances go to waste.

Maties flank Mitchell Carstens was yellow-carded with eight minutes remaining but that didn’t prevent replacement hooker André-Hugo Venter – who scored four tries against UWC on Thursday – from powering over for a point-of-origin try.

Maties were then reduced to 13 men when replacement prop Leon Lyons was sent to the sin bin, and Wits made their numerical advantage count when Van Wyk scored his second try. But the conversion was missed and there wasn’t time for the restart.

Player That Rocks: Munier Hartzenberg (Maties)

The scorers:

For Maties:
Tries: Luus, Hartzenberg, Venter (one sev-point try)
Cons: Fleurs

For Wits:
Tries: Van Wyk 2
Pen: Humphries

Maties: 15 Adriaan van der Bank, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 David Brits (captain), 12 Waqar Solaan, 11 Sibabalwe Xamlashe, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Dylan Alexander, 8 Hannes Gous, 7 Thys Kitshoff, 6 Mitchell Carstens, 5 Ben-Jason Dixon, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Matimu Manganyi, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 James Combrinck, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Siya Matanda, 21 Lian de Toit, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Mike Mavovana.

Wits: 15 Jimmy Mpailane, 14 Sthsaba Mqhatu, 14 Sthsaba Mqhatu, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Ngia Selengbe, 11 Matthew Mcdonald, 10 Christian Humphries, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Phillip Krause, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Constant Beckerling (captain), 5 Cal Smid, 4 Kevin du Randt, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Morné Brandon, 1 Bhekisa Shongwe.
Replacements: 16 Mulalo Sadiki, 17 Jason Cloete, 18 Ebot Buma, 19 Junior White, 20 Mark Snyman, 21 Runaldo Pedro, 22 Kurt Webster, 23 Yanga Hlalu.