Varsity Cup: UCT break NWU Eagles’ hearts

ROUND ONE WRAP: UCT scored a last-minute try to beat NWU in the opening round of the Varsity Cup, while there were also wins for Maties, UFS Shimlas, Wits and UJ.

NWU EAGLES 26 (26) UCT IKEYS 35 (14)

UCT fought back from a 12-point deficit to claim a bonus-point win against NWU at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds.

The Eagles dominated the set pieces and controlled the game for much of the first half. Flyhalf Nivan Petersen contributed 16 points from the kicking tee as NWU took a commanding 26-14 lead into the break.

The Ikeys improved at the scrum and line-out in the second stanza and managed to draw level with the Eagles as the end of the game approached. They may have taken the lead several times at the death if not for three missed goal attempts.

The match was decided in the final minute, when Ikeys replacement Duran Koevort pounced on a loose ball and raced away to complete a Point of Origin (seven-point) try.

Kyle Bowman’s conversion ensured that the Ikeys banked a nine-point win on the road. What’s more, it denied the Eagles a losing bonus point.

Player That Rocks: Nivan Petersen (NWU Eagles)

The scorers:

For NWU Eagles:
Tries: Heinz Bertram, Riaan Genis.
Cons: Nivan Petersen 2
Pens: Petersen 4

For UCT Ikeys:
Tries: Suleiman Hartzenberg (POR), Rihaz Fredericks, William Rose, Seth Christian, Duran Koevort (POR)
Cons: David Hayes 2, Kyle Bowman

Teams:

NWU Eagles: 15 Heinrich Botha, 14 Elzandro Fredericks, 13 Tino Swanepoel, 12 Pienaar van Niekerk, 11 Keano Windvogel, 10 Nivan Petersen, 9 Riaan Genis, 8 André Fouché, 7 Heinz Bertram, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 Ruben Dreyer, 4 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 3 Sampie Swiegers (captain), 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Ruben du Plessis.
Replacements: 16 Chyle van Zyl, 17 Jason Jansen, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Wihan Nel, 20 Jakkie Eloff, 21 Aphelele Madaka, 22 Gustav Erlank, 23 Isrome Phatudi.

UCT Ikeys: 15 Athi Gazi, 14 Rihaz Fredericks, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Kyle Lamb, 11 Rethabile Louw, 10 David Hayes, 9 William Rose, 8 Jason MacLeod Smith, 7 Taariq Kruger, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 Mika Schubert, 4 Matthew Grobler, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Alex Castle, 1 Luthando Woji (captain).
Replacements: 16 Keagan Blanckenberg, 17 Seth Christian, 18 Alizwa Mngqeta, 19 Reynhardt Crous, 20 Callum Whitson, 21 Kyle Bowman, 22 Kian Davis, 23 Duran Koevort.

UP-TUKS 9 (6) MATIES 19 (6)

Replacement hooker Sean Swart scored a 70th-minute try as Maties beat UP-Tuks 19-9 at Tuks Stadium.

Maties dominated possession and territory but weren’t able to take their try-scoring chances in the first half.

They relied on captain Adriaan van der Bank to keep the scoreboard ticking over, with opposite number Jandré Burger also kicking three penalties to make it 9-9.

The visitors’ bold decision to kick a late penalty to touch instead of at goal paid off as they won the line-out and rumbled over the tryline with Swart the man to dot down.

Replacement Jurie Mathee kicked the conversion and added an 80th-minute penalty to seal the win.

Player That Rocks: Juan Beukes (Maties)

The scorers:

For Maties
Try: Sean Swart
Con: Jurie Mathee
Pens: Adriaan van der Bank 3, Mathee

For UP-Tuks:
Pens: Jandré Burger 3

Teams:

UP-Tuks: 15 Kabelo Mokoena, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Lincoln Daniels (captain), 12 Keane Galant, 11 Tharquinn Manuel, 10 Jandré Burger, 9 Clyde Lewis, 8 Eduan Lubbe, 7 Orateng Koikanyang, 6 Divan Venter, 5 Mihlali Stamper, 4 Dawid Meiring, 3 Daniël Wessels, 2 Werner Fourie, 1 Andre van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Allister Williams, 17 Edwin Till, 18 Ethan Burger, 19 Dian Schoonees, 20 Hilton Gie, 21 Ambesa Zenzile, 22 Zandré Kruger, 23 Campwill Willemse.

Maties: 15 Navaldo Fleurs, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 Anton du Toit, 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Mike Mavovana, 10 Adriaan van der Bank (captain), 9 Eduan Smit, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Marco van Rhyn, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Matt Gray, 4 Juan Beukes, 3 Matimu Manganyi, 2 Chris Rossouw, 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger.
Replacements: 16 Sean Swart, 17 Wian van Zyl, 18 Vernon Matongo, 19 Jesse Johnson, 20 Siya Matanda, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Jurie Mathee, 23 Waqar Solaan.

UWC 16 (0) UFS SHIMLAS 56 (35)

UFS Shimlas showed their attacking teeth when they ran in eight tries against UWC in Bellville.

Before this year’s tournament, UWC coach Paul Treu highlighted the threat of the Shimlas management team. Andre Tredoux, Swys de Bruin and other big names such as Hendro Scholtz and Tiaan Liebenberg were all expected to revive the Bloemfontein-based team’s attack.

Treu’s worst fears were realised when a new-look Shimlas side ripped his UWC charges to shreds in the first match of the season. The visitors were utterly relentless, scoring five unanswered tries in the first half.

Discipline was a problem for the hosts. UWC conceded a number of penalties, two yellow cards, as well as a penalty try.

Shimlas stretched their lead to 42 points before UWC finally troubled the scorers. Despite a late fightback by the hosts, the visitors still managed to rack up a half-century of points.

After the first round, Shimlas sit at the top of the Varsity Cup log by virtue of their outstanding points-differential (40).

Player That Rocks: Chadd Adams (UFS Shimlas)

The scorers:

For UWC:
Tries: Justin Theys, Peter Williams (POR)
Cons: Lyle Hendricks 2

For UFS Shimlas:
Tries: Nathan Jordan, Ruwald van der Merwe, Litha Nkula (POR), Janco Klinck (POR), penalty try, Thabo Ndimande, Cham Zondeki (POR), Kwezi Dlamini
Cons: Litha Nkula 4

UWC: 15 Tiaan-Thomas Henecke, 14 Will Vraagom, 13 Aydon Topley, 12 Lyle Hendricks (captain), 11 Peter Williams, 10 Hanno van Biljon, 9 Conwill Conradie, 8 Shaine Orderson, 7 Godfrey Muzanarwo, 6 Nicholas Chipanje, 5 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 4 Reece Bocks, 3 Riaan van der Merwe, 2 Mauritz Swart, 1 Keon Links.
Replacements: 16 Andries Engelbrecht, 17 Keanuh Michaels, 18 Justin Theys, 19 Jacques Mostert, 20 Angelo Rossouw, 21 Bradman Grove, 22 Thandile Hoyi, 23 Gilroy Lee Philander.

UFS Shimlas: 15 Litha Nkula, 14 Asanda Kunene, 13 Janco Klinck, 12 Janco van Heyningen, 11 Cham Zondeki, 10 George Lourens, 9 Chadd Adams, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Lourens Oosthuizen, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Thabang Mahlasi (captain), 4 Nathan Jordan, 3 Matthew Golden, 2 Carl Wijburg, 1 Johan Schutte.
Replacements: 16 William Moffat, 17 Melusi Mthabela, 18 Jan Meades, 19 Reinier Viljoen, 20 Kwezi Dlamini, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Jooste Nel, 23 Luyanda Mkhize.

WITS 31 (19) FNB MADIBAZ 20 (6)

Wits got their 2022 campaign off to a flying start when they put five tries past the Madibaz at Wits Rugby Stadium.

The highly anticipated contest played out in an electrifying atmosphere. A limited number of spectators were presented with the opportunity to back their boytjies for the first time in two years – and they certainly made that chance count.

The underdogs from Gqeberha competed well in the initial stages and led 6-5 after 23 minutes thanks to two Chadwyn November penalties.

The complexion of the game changed, however, after Warwick Griffin was shown a yellow card in the 31st minute.

Wits scored two tries while the Madibaz tighthead was in the sin bin. By half-time, they had amassed a 19-6 lead.

Restored to 15 men, the visitors fought back in the early stages of the second half. They failed to maintain that effort, however, as the contest moved into the final quarter.

Wits reasserted their dominance, scoring two quick tries to secure the victory as well as the bonus point for four tries or more.

Player That Rocks: Cal Smid (Wits)

The scorers:

For Wits:
Tries: Prince Mulea, Setshaba Mokoena (POR), Charles Gamhiwa, Azi Afrika, Lindokuhle Ncusane
Cons: Chris Humphries 2

For Madibaz:
Tries: Khakalethu Bophi 2
Cons: Chadwyn November, Sibalomzi Mqeni
Pens: Chadwyn November 2

Teams:

Wits: 15 Setshaba Mokoena, 14 Wian de Lange, 13 Yanga Hlalu, 12 Tiaan Schutte, 11 Azi Afrika, 10 Chris Humphries, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Cal Smid, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Thomas Berman, 5 Kyle van Eyssen, 4 Edward White, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 2 Prince Mulea, 1 Charles Gamhiwa.
Replacements: 16 Dagan Meuwese, 17 Franco Groenewald, 18 Ebot Buma, 19 Franz Gerber, 20 Ziyanda Msipha, 21 Wernich Aucamp, 22 Keagan Lailvaux, 23 Luhle Matyolweni.

Madibaz: 15 Kyle Cyster, 14 Luciano Jones, 13 Lennox Holster, 12 Troy Delport, 11 Khakalethu Bophi, 10 Chadwyn November, 9 André Gerber, 8 Siyamthanda Jwacu, 7 Mihle Bobelo, 6 Arnouw Nel (captain), 5 Dylan Halgreen, 4 Umna Tokwe, 3 Warwick Griffin, 2 Ruan Jonker, 1 Endinako Kuse.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Erasmus, 17 Likhona Dywili, 18 Aqhamile Limba, 19 Terrance Siyaya, 20 Mekyle Solomon, 21 Anovuyo Moyikwa, 22 Sibalomzi Mqeni, 23 Jade Stoffels.

CUT IXIAS 42 (21) UJ 44 (27)

UJ withstood a committed CUT fightback to claim a 44-42 win at CUT Rugby Stadium.

The visitors led 27-7 after 33 minutes only to find themselves trailing 42-38 with 11 minutes remaining.

However, UJ hit back when flank CJ Masuku went over for their sixth try, which flyhalf Jonathan Viljoen converted, and while CUT pushed hard for a match-winning try they had to be satisfied with two bonus points.

The Orange Army started the match well when flank Johannes Terblanche scored two early tries from mauls to make it 13-0 after 16 minutes.

But some harsh words from coach Braam van Straaten during the first strategy break lit a fire under his players and set up a thrilling second half.

Player That Rocks: Johannes Terblanche (UJ)

The scorers:

For CUT Ixias:
Tries: Tiaan Drotske, Ulrich Stander, Teboho Rampai, Jacquin van Wyk, Jan Kotze, penalty try
Cons: Floris Brand 5

For UJ:
Tries: Johannes Terblanche (2), Philip Apea-Adu, Brendon Pawson, Hloni Mphuthi, CJ Masuku
Cons: Jonathan Viljoen 4
Pens: Viljoen 2

Teams:

CUT Ixias: 15 David Cary, 14 Tsepo Malumane, 13 Jandré de Beer, 12 Heino Bezuidenhout, 11 Jacquin van Wyk, 10 Floris Brand, 9 Kobus du Plessis, 8 Ulrich Stander, 7 Luvuyo Ndevu (captain), 6 Teboho Rampai, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Matthew Sekele, 3 Cohen Kiewit, 2 Tiaan Drotske, 1 Mzisa Thabiso.
Replacements: 16 Albertus Venter, 17 Sisipho Nofuya, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Andile Mfaswe, 20 Francois Bester, 21 Xavier Swartbooi, 22 Zinedene Booysen, 23 Christiaan Venter.

UJ: 15 Shaun-Christian Baxter, 14 Tyreeq February, 13 Musawenkosi Tshabalala, 12 Indiphile Tyeda, 11 Nkondlo Radebe, 10 Jonathan Viljoen, 9 Keegan Joubert, 8 Buhlebenkosi Qaba, 7 Siyabonga Masuku, 6 Johannes Terblanche (co-captain), 5 Brendon Pawson, 4 Philip Apea-Adu, 3 Frans Bezuidenhout, 2 Lehlohonolo Mphuthi, 1 Kayden Kiewit.
Replacements: 16 Elizee Kwitonda, 17 Andrew Siminyu, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Connor van Buuren, 20 Kelvin Kanenungo (co-captain), 21 Mpho Kubheka, 22 Likhaya Tengimfene, 23 Rowan Malgas.

Photo credit: ASEM Engage/BARCO GREEFF