VARSITY CUP: Eagles bounce back in classic Bloem clash, Fleck's Ikey Tigers run riot

ROUND FOUR WRAP: Defending champions the Ikey Tigers also produced a ruthless attacking display, running riot at the Green Mile to dismantle the UJ Orange Army in a high-scoring encounter at the Danie Craven Stadium.

The Maroon Machine overcame an early scare to overpower Varsity Cup debutants the Emeris Comets in a nine-try spectacle, and in Bloemfontein, the NWU Eagles bounced back impressively, securing a crucial bonus point victory over the Shimlas.

Meanwhile, the Stripe Generation delivered a dominant performance at Tuks Stadium, powering past the Ixias to secure top of the log after Round Four.

UCT 87-28 UJ

UCT Ikeys produced a breathtaking attacking display to defeat UJ 88-28 in their Varsity Cup clash at the Green Mile in Cape Town on Monday evening.

The home side wasted no time asserting their dominance. After earning an early penalty from a high tackle, UCT struck in the second minute when their centre crossed the line, with flyhalf Alex Vermeulen adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

The Ikeys quickly built momentum as winger Lezane Davids powered over in the corner following sustained pressure, before fullback Setshaba Mokoena finished superbly out wide to make it three tries in quick succession.

The scoring frenzy continued as scrumhalf Mooray Daars darted over for the fourth try, while Jack Benade added another soon after. Davids grabbed his second try of the match following clever play from Daars, and flank Aiden de Costa joined the party as the Ikeys ran riot.

Further tries from Aidan Norris and Mokoena’s second saw the hosts head into half-time with a remarkable 71-7 lead, having scored nine tries in a dominant first half.

UJ showed greater intent after the break and enjoyed a better spell early in the second half, but UCT soon resumed their attacking rhythm. Davids once again created the opportunity for Benade, who completed his hat-trick to extend the lead.

Despite playing with 14 men following Tian Vorster’s yellow card, the home side remained in control. The visitors fought back with tries from JT Strydom, Toy Engelbrecht, and Thabo Mashigo, securing a valuable four-try bonus point.

However, the final say belonged to the Ikeys as Xola Nyali crossed late to seal an emphatic 11-try victory, with Vermeulen impressive from the tee throughout the match.

The scorers:

For UCT:
Tries: Jack Benade 3, Monray Daars 2, Lezane Davids 2, Xolani Nyali, Aiden Norris, Aiden de Costa

For UJ:
Tries: JT Strydom, Toy Engelbrecht, Thabo Mashigo, Reuven Ferreira

Player of the Match: Monray Daars (UCT)

Teams:

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

UJ: Sifiso Magwaza, Ryan Marimo, Bian Janse van Rensburg, Jaden Baillie, Juan Fourie, Kamo Molefe, Josh du Toit, Thabang Mphafi, Zian Cilliers, JT Kapank, Zenkosi Mthiyane, Reuven Ferreira, Exaunce Kevani, Jayden Pringle, JT Strydom.

UFS Shimlas 31-45 NWU Eagles

The NWU Eagles bounced back emphatically on Monday with a vital 43-31 win over the UFS Shimlas in Bloemfontein, in a match that delivered on its promise of a classic intervarsity clash between the two old foes.

The first half in Bloemfontein was a proper arm-wrestle between the two packs of forwards. While both sides managed to unleash their backlines from time to time, much of the early battle was fought up front, with some powerful carries and strong defensive work on display.

NWU opened the scoring when hooker Jordan McLoughlin crashed over from a maul. Shimlas had their own opportunities on similar platforms but, on a number of occasions, failed to capitalise in the red zone. Eventually the hosts managed to get on the board when scrumhalf Erich Visser dotted down from a maul.

The joy was short-lived, however, as NWU struck back through a Jason Oosthuizen try. Outside centre Matthew Fortuin then strolled in for a point-of-origin try after a high ball was gathered on the bounce, giving the visitors a handy 19-7 lead at half-time.

The game opened up considerably in the second half, especially in the final 20 minutes, with Varsity Cup rugby showcased at its entertaining, high-tempo best.

The visitor’s scrumhalf Zack Serfontein scored a brace of tries, while his counterpart Visser completed his own double for the Shimlas.

Later in the half, winger Kirwin du Preez ran in two quick tries to keep the hosts in the hunt, but it was the try by NWU flanker Ricardo Fourie that ultimately put the result beyond doubt.

NWU were simply more clinical in converting opportunities into points, particularly in the first half, while Shimlas were let down by too many soft moments in the match, despite mounting a spirited late comeback.

The scorers:

For UFS Shimlas:
Tries: Erich Visser 2, Kirwin du Preez 2, HJ de Beer

NWU Eagles:
Tries: Zack Serfontein 2, Jordan McLoughlin, Jason Oosthuizen, Matthew Fortuin, Hanro Venter, Ricardo Fourie

Player of the Match: Ricardo Fourie (NWU Eagles)

Teams:

UFS Shimlas: Siviwe Zondani (captain), Kirwin du Preez, Keehan Etson, Freddie Dreyer, Lilitha Lunqe, Tiaan Kriek, Erich Visser, Liam Shamburg, Maynard Kleynhans, Lukas Meyer, Juan Venter, HJ de Beer, Ongeziwe Mobo, Jaco Bezuidenhout, Musa Moshoaliba.

NWU Eagles: Luan van der Walt, Luyolo Doyi, Matthew Fortuin, Leejay Petersen, Therlow Prins, Ruan van Willing, Zack Serfontein, Guhan du Bois, Schalk van Schalkwyk (captain), Ricardo Fourie, Schalk du Plessis, Tian van Zyl, Jason Oosthuizen, Jordan McLoughlin, Alethwa Buthelezi.

Maties 55-20 Emeris

Maties got their Varsity Cup campaign back on track with a morale-boosting 35-point victory over Emeris in the Cape Winelands.

The Maroon Machine didn’t have it all their own way after a bright start by the visitors that saw them unsettle the Danie Craven crowd and take the lead in the opening quarter. The away side frustrated the hosts, who also had two tries disallowed in the early exchanges, creating a tense atmosphere in Stellenbosch.

Despite being under pressure and denied two scores by the referee, Maties finally found their groove halfway through the first period and managed to bag the bonus point and go into the break with a 26-point lead.

Maties kicked off the second period like they ended the first, with CJ Erasmus crashing over the line inside two minutes. The visitors were stubborn in their approach and refused to give in despite the deficit, but just couldn’t seem to get a grip on the game.

Chijindu Okonta was able to pull one back for Emeris, but Samuel Badenhorst extinguished any belief moments later with his second try of the night.

The sides traded a pair of tries apiece as Emeris’ Edward Sigauke and Stellenbosch’s Simon Liversage got themselves on the scoresheet before the final whistle.

Maties will be brimming with confidence after scoring nine tries, full of belief as they head into a Round Five derby clash away to the UCT Ikeys.

The scorers:

For Maties:
Tries: Huhgo Van Zitters, Samuel Badenhorst 2, Sebastian Hahn, Zuko Poswa, Ezekiel Ngobeni, CJ Erasmus, Simon Liversage 2

For CUT:
Tries: Chijindu Okonta, Edward Sigauke 2

Player of the Match: Samuel Badenhorst (Maties)

Teams:

Maties: Janlu Basson, CJ Erasmus, Keanuh Michaels, Zuko Poswa, Luan Botha, Fortune Mpofu, Louw Du Toi, Yabo Ndzamela, Ezekiel Ngobeni (captain), Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Huhgo van Zitters, Samuel Badenhorst, Ryan Manuel, Nicholas Fritz, Sebastian Hahn, Dawie Stemmet, Jason Johnson, Danie Kruger, Luke Swartz, Dante Burger, Mckyle Volmoer, Simon Liversage, Louis Fourie.

Emeris: Christoff Etzebeth, Jacques Marais (C), Nathi Ntuli, Garren Muller, Kuhle Mthimkhulu, Thando Luthuli, Meno Barnard, Juan Orde Steyl, Abande Mthembu (V), Frederick Marx, Edward Sigauke, Mambo Mkhize, Chris Horak, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Chijindu Okonta, Andrew Davis, Thabo Njapha, Soso Maseko, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Robert Everson, Sinelifa Ncwana, Christian Els, Denilo Jordaan.

For UP-Tuks 78-17 CUT

UP-Tuks produced a dominant display as they overpowered CUT 78-17 in a one-sided encounter at Tuks Stadium.

The Stripe Generation wasted little time asserting their authority, opening the scoring in the 15th minute with a powerful maul try from flanker Abel Pretorius.

The Ixias tried to hold their own in the opening stages, but Tuks quickly doubled their lead two minutes later when centre Kobus broke through the defence to score a Point of Origin try under the posts.

By the 19th minute, the home side had struck back-to-back tries, with winger Andile Myeni finishing brilliantly, taking Tuks to 23-0 at the Strategy Break.

Pretorius added his second try six minutes later after sustained phases of pressure, securing the bonus point for the hosts.

Tuks continued to dominate, with Kobus Janse van Rensburg creating space again for Myeni to score his brace in the 27th minute, stretching the lead to 39-0. A powerful rolling maul saw hooker Jean Fourie cross before No.8 Akhona Kunene added another just before half-time.

Lock Ben Jansen van Vuuren finished off another brilliant Point of Origin move to take the half-time score to 56-0.

CUT responded immediately after the break, adding their first points through a try in the 46th minute and following it up with another quick score to make it 56-17.

However, Tuks regained control with Pretorius completing his hat-trick and further tries from Gustav Van der Merwe, Myeni, and Dillon Smith sealed a resounding 78-17 victory.

The home side’s combination of power, precision, and relentless attacking rugby ensured they maintained full control throughout, leaving the Ixias unable to respond.

The scorers:

For UP-Tuks:
Tries: Abel Pretorius 3, Andile Myeni 3, Jean Fourie 2, Dillon Smith, Kobus Janse van Rensburg.

For CUT:
Tries: Jordan Davids 2, Petrus Nel (T-PP), Neo Lesoetsa (POR)

Player of the Match: (UP-Tuks)

Teams:

UP-Tuks: Buhle Mpaka, Jean Fourie, Jayd Austin, Ben Jansen van Vuuren, David Engongo, Abel Pretorius, Jacques Oberholzer, Akhona Kunene, Chad-Lee Valentine, Divan Du Toit, Munashe Dukuswa, Christiaan Vlok, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Andile Myeni, Hopewell Ntshangase.

CUT: Neo Lesoetsa, Tokelo Ntaopane, Ian Klitzke, Jean Louis Theron, Oyama Frans, Jordan Davids, Dean Sciocatti, Hope Seyaga, Emlyhn Jacobs, Kehan Myburgh, Jade Muller, Winton Abrahams, CJ Taljaard, Liam Delport, Devinto Vergotine.