Maties climbed to the top of the Varsity Cup log by claiming a hard-fought victory over the NWU Eagles in Stellenbosch on Monday night.
After suffering a heavy second round loss to Shimlas, Maties arrived on a three-game winning streak and extended that to four with a 20-12 win.
In so doing they leapfrogged UCT, who had a game against Shimlas in Bloemfontein postponed to Tuesday morning due to lightning.
While NWU, who had beaten both Tuks and Shimlas before this match, made a bright start, it was ultimately a disappointing and error-strewn performance.
Plenty of credit has to be given to Maties, who were uncompromising on defence and clinical in the first half on attack. The hosts appear to be getting into their stride after shaky start to their campaign, but will be frustrated with their second-half performance.
The Eagles had the better of the opening exchanges and deservedly took an early lead through captain Sampie Swiegers’ try. However, the rest of the half belonged to Maties as hooker Sean Swart levelled the scores with his seventh try of the season, before fullback Nevaldo Fleurs scored a self-converted try and a couple of penalties to give the home side a 20-7 lead at the break.
Neither team managed to add a point before the second-half strategy break, but NWU got straight back into the contest shortly afterwards through Swiegers’ second from a driving maul.
The second half was largely marked by scrum penalties and handling errors, as neither side really managed to get a foothold in the game. NWU did have more than enough opportunities to snatch a potential late victory, but wasted a kickable penalty and had a try ruled out due to a forward pass.
Maties will next face UCT in a top-of-the-table derby on the Green Mile in Cape Town, while NWU will take on the NMU Madibaz in Potchefstroom.
Maties – Tries: Sean Swart, Nevaldo Fleurs. Conversions: Fleurs (2). Penalties: Fleurs (2)
NWU Eagles – Tries: Sampie Swiegers (2). Conversion: Nivan Petersen
Maties – 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 Waqar Solaan, 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Sibabalwe Xamlashe, 10 Adriaan van der Bank (c), 9 Eduan Smit, 8 De Wet Marais, 7 Gift Dlamini, 6 Hendrik du Toit, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Juan Beukes, 3 Matimu Manganyi, 2 Sean Swart, 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger.
Subs: 16 Francois Breytenbach, 17 Wian van Zyl, 18 Vernon Matongo, 19 Marco van Rhyn, 20 Siyabonga Matanda, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Mike Mavovana.
NWU Eagles – 15 Heinrich Botha, 14 Keano Windvogel, 13 Tino Swanepoel, 12 Seita Phatudi, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 10 Nivan Petersen, 9 Riaan Genis, 8 Andre Fouché, 7 Heinz Bertram, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 Ruben Dreyer, 4 Wihan Nel, 3 Sampie Swiegers (c), 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Jason Jansen.
Subs: 16 Chyle van Zyl, 17 Ruben du Plessis, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 20 Gustav Erlank, 21 Sylvester Hassien, 22 Martin Venter, 23 Pienaar van Niekerk.
Photo: ASEM Engage
