UWC put in a showcase of attacking rugby to claim a 60-19 victory over CUT, while there were also wins for UP-Tuks, Maties, Wits and UCT in the penultimate round of the Varsity Cup on Thursday.
UWC 60 CUT 19
One of the highlights of the day’s rugby came in the clash between two of the Varsity Cup’s most improved teams in UWC and CUT, under the coaching of Paul Treu and Pieter Bergh, respectively.
The two sides went blow for blow in the first half, with CUT going into the break 19-14 thanks to a try from star fullback Cohen Jasper.
However, the second half was all UWC as Treu’s side kicked it up a notch and scored six unanswered tries, including a brace from centre Aydon Topley.
The result moved UWC into fifth place on the log and close the gap on fourth-placed CUT to just two points. UWC’s final match will be against Wits, while CUT face a difficult week ahead with their postponed game against NWU and a round nine match against UP-Tuks to come.
Player That Rocks: Jason Alexander (FNB UWC)
UWC – Tries: Jason Alexander (2), Tinotenda Mavesere, Aydon Topley (1×7, 1×5), Branden de Kock (1×7), Bronlee Mouries, Conwill Conradie. Conversions: De Kock (6), Topley (2).
CUT Ixias – Tries: Janus Venter, Ricoman Titus, Cohen Jasper. Conversions: Charles Williams (2).
NWU 36 UCT 42
UCT held out against a brave comeback from the NWU Eagles to claim a bonus-point win and reclaim top spot on the log after UP-Tuks had briefly climbed up to first place.
In emotional scenes before the match a moment of silence was held in respect of late former NWU captain Tiaan Bezuidenhout, who tragically had his life cut short in a motor accident.
The Ikey Tigers had opened up a 19-0 lead in the first half, but NWU briefly fought back to make it 22-10 at the break.
This pattern would continue in the second half as every time it seemed UCT were opening up a comfortable lead, the Eagles would haul their opponents back in.
A dramatic finish to the match ensued as NWU clawed their way from a 36-17 deficit to make a nine-point game in the final 10 minutes, during which UCT also lost two men to the sin bin. However, UCT did enough to hold out, only conceding a consolation try after the final hooter.
Player That Rocks: Liam Greenhalgh (FNB UCT Ikeys)
NWU Eagles – Tries: Jandré Burger (2), Komape Moloto, Sampie Swiegers, André Fouché, Sylvestor Hassien. Conversions: Nivan Petersen, Marco Donges (2).
UCT Ikeys – Tries: James Tedder (1×7), Rethabile Louw, Connor Evans, Byron Bowes. Conversions: Tedder (4). Penalties: Tedder (4).
Wits 34 Shimlas 42
UFS Shimlas scored six tries in a hard-fought win against Wits. Pote Human’s men came into this match with confidence after an impressive performance against UP-Tuks on Monday, while Wits were playing their first game in the third bio-bubble.
Shimlas went into half time 21-19 ahead thanks to tries from prop Johan Schutte and flank Thabo Ndimande either side of winger Sthsaba Mqhatu’s effort for Wits.
Ndabinde secured his brace early in the second half, before FNB Wits flank Mark Snyman powered his way over the tryline to make it a one-point game.
Flyhalf JP Duvenage’s self-converted point-of-origin try put FNB UFS Shimlas ahead 37-27 with 10 minutes remaining.
FNB Wits got themselves back in the fight when hooker Dameon Venter mauled his way over the whitewash, but his opposite number William Moffat sealed the bonus-point win for FNB UFS Shimlas when he scored in the 77th minute.
Player That Rocks: Kamo Chabana (FNB Shimlas)
Wits – Tries: Lwazi Monakali (1×7), Sthsaba Mqhatu, Mark Snyman, Dameon Venter. Conversions: Keagan Lailvaux (3). Penalties: Lailvaux (2).
UFS Shimlas – Tries: Uzile Tele, Johan Schutte, Thabo Ndabinde (2), JP Duvenage (1×7), William Moffat. Conversions: JP Duvenage (6).
Maties 49 UJ 14
Maties fed off the ill-discipline of UJ to run in seven tries at Tuks Stadium as the business end of the competition draws near.
The five log points keep the men from Stellenbosch in third place on the log.
Player That Rocks: Munier Hartzenberg (FNB Maties)
Maties – Tries: Penalty try (1×9), Munier Hartzenberg, Siba Xamlashe (1×7), Dian Bleuler, HJ Luus, Taigh Schoor, André-Hugo Venter. Conversions: Adriaan van der Bank (2), Juan Mostert (2).
UJ – Tries: Nkosikhona Masuku, Franco Schutte (1×7). Conversion: Jurich Claasens.
NMU Madibaz 0 UP-Tuks 75
Captain Sango Xamlashe and fullback Zander du Plessis powered UP-Tuks to an impressive win over a deflated Madibaz side.
Hooker Llewellyn Classen also made his mark, coming off the bench to score a second-half hat-trick as FNB UP-Tuks finished with 11 tries.
The result has the tournament hosts remaining in second place on the log after round eight.
Player That Rocks: Clyde Lewis (FNB UP-Tuks)
UP-Tuks – Tries: Tharquinn Manuel (1×5, 1×7), Sango Xamlashe (1×7, 1×5), Zander du Plessis (1×5, 1×7), Cebolenkosi Dlamini, Werner Fourie, Llewellyn Classen (3). Conversions: Zander du Plessis (7).
