Ahead of next week’s semi-finals, it was all-out action in the last round-robin encounters of the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup. FNB NWU Eagles were victorious over FNB UCT Ikeys while FNB UFS Shimlas navigated their way past FNB Wits. FNB Maties beat FNB CUT and FNB UJ outclassed FNB UWC.
FNB NWU EAGLES 30 – 18 FNB UCT IKEYS
FNB NWU Eagles secured a home semi-final following a hard-fought 30-18 victory over FNB UCT Ikeys at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom.
The Eagles started the game blazing with a try from Hennie du Randt following a brilliant run by Naiden Jaarts. Ikeys was quick to respond with a try from Ntokozo Makhaza to reduce the deficit. It didn’t take long for the home side to extend their lead with Luan Van Der Walt scoring a try from close range following long periods of Eagles’ possession.
Two quick-fire penalties from Ikeys’ left wing Ntokozo Makhaza took the score to 16-13. Minutes later Chyle Van Zyl gave the Eagles a 21-13 lead heading into half-time.
The beginning of the second half was slow as there were no tries scored in the first 25 minutes. Johan Lombard then gave UCT some hope with a try. It was a nervy end to the game but a try from Naiden Jaarts sealed the victory for the Eagles to finish at the top of the log.
SCORERS
FNB NWU Eagles 30 (21) – Tries: Hennie du Randt, Naiden Jaarts, Luan Van Der Walt, Chyle Van Zyl. Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (2), Charles Williams.
FNB UCT Ikeys 18 (13) – Tries: Ntokozo Makhaza, Johan Lombard. Conversion: Ntokoza Makhaza. Penalties: Ntokozo Makhaza (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Hennie du Randt (FNB NWU)
TEAMS
FNB NWU Eagles: Matome Molebogeng Manyama, Chyle Van Zyl, Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, Stephan Krugel, Franco Marais, Hennie Du Randt, Tian Van Zyl, Marvelous Mashimbyi, Aphelele Emihle Madaka, Zinedine Robinson, Naiden Jaarts, Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, Matthew Luke Fortuin, Keano Ricardo Windvogel, Luan Jacobus Van Der Walt.
FNB UCT Ikeys: Mhleli Khethuxolo Khuzwayo, Keagan Jordan Blanckenberg, Jovan Bekker, Kyle Enos Ndiao, Johan Van Rhyn, Siphumezo Dyonase, Mika Franz Schubert, Laro Delport, Asad Moos, Alexander Vermeulen, Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, Rethabile Donovan Louw, Thomas Nel, Luke John Burger, Duran Ryan Koevort.
FNB MATIES 26 – 20 FNB CUT
FNB Maties managed to hang on for a 26-20 victory over FNB CUT in a cold and wet Bloemfontein.
The tough conditions marred good attacking play throughout the night.
It was the Ixias who opened the scoring through a penalty by fly-half Juan Smith and it would be Smith who stretched the host’s lead to 6-0 a few minutes later. CUT made their early penalties count before conceding the game’s opening try (Roland van der Heever) to the rolling maul of the Maroon Machine.
The visitors repeated the trick when they scored their second in similar fashion. Eric Basson giving Maties the lead for the first time, and Juan Mostert adding the extras. Maties went into the half-time break 12-6 in the lead.
Maties scored soon after the restart as substitute winger Christiaan Van Heerden-Smith scored for his side, and Juan Mostert converting once more. Player That Rocks Louw Nel added another try for the men from Stellenbosch and Mostert once again added the extras.
The hosts left it late once more, scoring a point-of-origin try, dotted down by Tiaan Drotskie. The home side would score again with time already up. Asekho Marubelela going over for the hosts, who left it a little bit too late.
SCORERS
FNB Maties 26 (12) – Tries: Roland van der Heever, Eric Basson, Christiaan Van Heerden-Smith, Louw Nel. Conversions: Juan Mostert (3).
FNB CUT 20 (6) – Tries: Tiaan Drotskie, Asekho Marubelela. Conversions: Floris Brand. Penalties: Juan Smith.
FNB Player That Rocks: Louw Nel (FNB Maties)
TEAMS
FNB Maties: Prince Rotondwa Mulea, Siyasanga Ngubelanga, Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, Edrich Viljoen, Matthew Andrew Gray, Eric Chris Basson, Jacobus Adriaan Louw Nel, Roland Leonard Van Der Heever, McKyle Volmoer, Juan Mostert, Matthew van Schalkwyk, Aydon Colin Topley, Ryan Marcus Manuel, Paschal Hans Uzoma Ekeji, Hofmeyr Gideon Retief.
FNB CUT: Mamello Moshoaliba, Albertus Human Venter, Sisipho Nofuya, Asekho Phindile Marubelela, Kevin Strydom, Tsebane Edward Stemer, Tjaart Jurie Van der Walt, Jacobus Johannes Cloete, Raydon Swartbooi, Juan Arnold Smith, Liam Ethan de Wet, Liam Prinsloo, Zachary Bester, Adielson Gouveia, Devanito Lushan Vergotine.
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 24 – 12 FNB WITS
FNB UFS Shimlas claimed a vital 24-12 bonus point victory over FNB Wits at a wet Wits Rugby Stadium in Johannesburg.
The game kicked off in a cagey manner with both teams playing with caution on a wet surface. It was the Witsies that enjoyed early possession, but they failed to convert it into points, often being pegged back by handling errors.
Once Shimlas got into their groove, it was evident they would pose a threat to the Wits defence. First blood was drawn by the visitors, when hooker Liyema Mgwigwi dove over from close range, after playing through the phases. Flyhalf Ethan Wentzel made light work of the conversion, adding the extra 2 points to give his side a 7-0 lead.
Speedster Siviwe Zondani added his name to the scoresheet after well-worked team play that Zondani rounded off under the poles. Wentzel once again rose to the occasion and the visitors went into the half-time break 14-0.
UFS managed to score again after the second strategy through fullback Michael Annies.
Wits hit back shortly with Drew Bennet sliding over after receiving an incredible pass from outside centre Liyema Matyolweni.
The much-needed bonus point try for Shimlas was scored by Gideon Nel, with the resulting conversion attempt striking the upright.
Wits got a consolation try in the last move of the game, with flanker Kelvin Kanenungo barging his way over to see the match end 24-12 in favour of Shimlas.
SCORERS
FNB UFS-Shimlas 24 (14) – Tries: Liyema Mgwigwi, Siviwe Zondani, Michael Annies, Gideon Nel. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2).
FNB Wits 12 (0) – Tries: Drew Bennet, Kelvin Kanenungo.
FNB Player That Rocks: Ethan Wentzel (FNB Shimlas)
TEAMS
FNB UFS-Shimlas: Ntokozo Hlophe, Liyema Mgwigwi, Francisco Dos Reis, Reinier Juan Martin Viljoen, John Raymond Stopforth, Sobe Siyambuka Nakhane Ningiza, Pierre-Raymond Freddie Uys, Kwezi Dlamini, Jandre Nel, Ethan SJ Wentzel, Siviwe Zondani, Gideon Jooste Nel, Zane Bester, Asanda Sihle Kunene, Michael Jnr Kurt Annies.
FNB Wits: Elizee Kwitonda, Dewet Lottering, Sibusiso Thando Shongwe, George Lawson St Leger Devenish, Cal Smid, Kelvin Tafirenika Kanenungo, Joshua Daniel Ferreira, Lindokuhle Ncusane, Wernich Aucamp, Tireque Caleb Apolles, Lindani Dweba, Mark Dilan Snyman, Luhle Liyema Matyolweni, Dustyn Matthew Holmes, Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena.
FNB UJ 59 – 8 FNB UWC
FNB UJ ended their season on a high note outclassing FNB UWC 59-8. UJ headed into this one desperate for a victory, doing just enough to escape the relegation/promotion playoff match.
UWC’s sole try came from Zinzan Magerman while Aaron Swartz added a penalty.
The Orange Army dominated both halves of the game taking an early lead through Franco Schutte who was able to move the ball along the backline. Flyhalf Kurtley Kiewiet was an essential part of UJ’s scoring, being successful with four conversions.
Schutte made it a brace after UJ made use of their line out. Liam Rowan ensured that the home side got another five points before the halftime break.
It was Mauritz Swart who made a bold statement for UJ in the opening minutes of the second half securing a point-of-origin try. Rowan then scored his second before Maritz scored his brace, also a point-of-origin try.
David Cary, Kamva Kalipa and Berwyn Bosch were the other try scorers as the Orange Army secured a much-needed victory.
SCORERS
FNB UJ 59 (21) – Tries: Franco Schutte (2), Liam Rowan (2), Mauritz Swart (2), David Cary, Kamva Kalipa, Berwyn Bosch. Conversions: Kurtley Kiewiet (4), Berwyn Bosch.
FNB UWC 8 (3) – Tries: Zinzan Magerman. Penalty: Aaron Swartz.
FNB Player That Rocks: Rowan Malgas (FNB UJ)
TEAMS
FNB UWC: Hlonela Qelile, James Coetzee, Franco Ceasar, Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, Michail Kasfikis, Nicholas Chipanje, Louan De Lange, Zinzan Magerman, Wian van der Sandt, Aaron Swartz, Hlomla Ncana, Emile Silivis, Denver Van Wyk, Bevan Simons, Jean van Schalkwyk.
FNB UJ: Damian Baker, Mauritz Swart, Bian Douglas Janse Van Rensburg, Marius Coetzee, Connor Van Buuren, Kamohelo Rorisang Molefe, Phillip Apea-Adu, Franco Julian Schutte, Liam Rowan, Kurtley Kiewiet, Prince Nkabinde, Likhaya Tengimfene, Sfiso Perseverance Dlamini, Boldwin Hansen, Rowan Malgas.