Varsity Cup Wrap: UCT stun Shimlas

FNB Wits vs FNB CUT

The first FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International match of Monday night, saw FNB Wits pick up their maiden Varsity Cup win, over FNB CUT. FNB Wits dominated possession, territory and the scoreboard, running out 43-3 victors on a historic day for FNB Wits rugby.

 The game was off to a wonderful start for the home side, when winger Wandisile Simelane dived into the corner to give his side an early lead of 7-0 after flyhalf Warren Gilbert converted the try. The match then saw FNB CUT hit back, when they managed to get themselves on the scoreboard, thanks to a 50m penalty converted by FNB CUT flyhalf Martin Jacobs.

 The hosts then added a further 15 points without reply, courtesy of captain Warren Gilbert’s boot and a try from lock Graham Logan. Both sides then headed into the break with FNB Wits leading 22-3.

 The second half saw a FNB Wits onslaught on their visitors, with both teams suffering a few injuries and FNB CUT getting two players sent to the 'Afkoelstoel' (Sin Bin). This definitely put the visitors in a tough position as after that, FNB Wits kept piling the points on the scoreboard with no reply from FNB CUT.

 The game eventually saw the Witsies come close to putting 50 points on the board, with substitute prop Ameer Williams having the last say for the hosts, when he crossed over to bring the score to 43-3 at the close of play.

 Rhyno Herbst earned the award for the FNB Player that Rocks after a great performance in the second row. FNB Wits now have a bye in the next round, and it will be a well deserved rest after a great first victory in the Varsity Cup.

 FNB Player that Rocks: Rhyno Herbst (FNB Wits)

 Scorers:

FNB Wits: 43

Tries: Wandisile Simelane, Graham Logan, Justin Brandon, Constant Beckerling, Ameer Williams

Cons: Warren Gilbert (5)

Pen: Warren Gilbert (2)

 FNB CUT: 3

Pen: Martin Jacobs

 FNB Tuks vs FNB Madibaz

FNB UP-Tuks scored five tries to one as they eased past FNB Madibaz 33-16 (half time 21-3) in Round Three of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

 The impending storm stayed away to allow a first half conducive to running rugby which both teams exploited. FNB UP-Tuks had to shake off the rust from their bye in Round Two after FNB Madibaz scored an early penalty courtesy of flyhalf Simon Bolze's boot.

 FNB UP-Tuks replied with three tries to inside centre, Impi Visser, scrumhalf Theo Maree and flyhalf, Tinus de Beer. Visser ran a perfect line to cut the defence to ribbons while Maree scored off the back of a dominant scrum in the 15th minute.

 FNB Madibaz spent the rest of the half scrambling in defence as FNB UP-Tuks continued to ply the pressure on the men from Port Elizabeth. The dam broke a minute before half-time when De Beer crossed from close quarters and sunk his third conversion to give his team a 21-3 lead at the break.

FNB Madibaz got stuck in early in the second half as Bolze kicked another two penalties as the visitors started to find their feet.

FNB UP-Tuks appeared to be shell-shocked with FNB Madibaz's resurgence but this was nullified by replacement fullback Manie Libbok who scored a brace to put the match out of reach. FNB Madibaz did not stop pushing and were rewarded with a try by lock Gerrit Huisamen.

 FNB UP-Tuks next travel to Johannesburg to face FNB UJ in Round Four of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00.

 FNB Player that Rocks: Impi Visser (FNB UP-Tuks)

 Scorers

FNB UP-Tuks: 33
Tries: Impi Visser, Theo Maree, Tinus de Beer, Manie Libbok (2)
Cons: de Beer (3), Joshua Stander

 FNB Madibaz: 16

Try: Gerrit Huisamen; Con: Simon Bolze
Pen: Simon Bolze (3)

 FNB Shimlas vs FNB UCT

FNB Shimlas lost against the visiting team, FNB UCT 22-7 in the third round of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International in Bloemfontein on a soaked Xerox Shimla Park on Monday night.

 The first half started at a drenched Xerox Shimla Park in Bloemfontein. FNB UCT dominated the first ten minutes of play where they had two opportunities to put points on the scoreboard but the fullback Lohan Lubbe missed both penalties. FNB Shimlas lock Ruben Schoeman was send off with a yellow card for offside play.

 FNB UCT scored the first try of the match after 22 minutes of play, Hendrik Lategaan the inside centre crossed the goal line and scored a seven-pointer, the conversion was unsuccessful. The first half score was FNB UCT 7-0 FNB Shimlas. FNB UCT Ikeys enjoyed most of the territory in the first half and carried the ball, they used their opportunity when FNB Shimlas had only fourteen players on the field. FNB Shimlas had opportunities but couldn’t finish off due to handling errors.

 The second half started with scrappy play by both teams caused by handling errors and bad tactical kicking. FNB UCT managed to keep the FNB Shimlas pinned back in their 22 and scored their second try in the 57th minute stretching the score to 12-0. FNB UCT hooker Cuan Hablutzel went over after a strong mall from pack forwards of FNB UCT, the conversion was once again unsuccessful.

 FNB Shimlas answered with a five-point try after the FNB Shimlas winger Marco Mason went over, converting his own try to make the score 12-7 to FNB UCT with 18 minutes left in the game. FNB UCT fullback Lohan Lubbe answered with a penalty kick stretching the lead to 15-7. FNB UCT weren’t not done and after brilliant individual play from the FNB UCT winger Rayno Mapoe who crossed the tryline for a seven-pointer once again stretched the lead to 22-7 with eight minutes left in the match. 

 FNB UCT won the game with 22-7 scoring three tries, the two seven-pointers clinched the game for the FNB UCT team. FNB UCT were the better team on the day and adapted better to the wet conditions at Xerox Shimla Park.

 FNB Player that Rocks: Joel Smith (FNB UCT)

 Scorers

FNB Shimlas: 7
Tries: Marco Mason (five-point try)

Cons: Marco Mason

FNB UCT: 22

Tries: Henrik Lategaan (seven-point try), Cuan Hablutzel, Rayno Mapoe (seven-pointer)

Pens: Lohan Lubbe

 Yellow card: Ruben Schoeman

 FNB Maties vs FNB NWU-Pukke

The FNB Maties restored some pride on Monday evening when they beat defending champions, FNB NWU Pukke 31-9 at a packed Danie Craven Stadium. FNB Maties got their sweet revenge over the men from Potchefstroom for last year’s FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International final, where FNB Pukke won the trophy in added time.

 FNB Maties were superb from the get go, scoring within the first four minutes of the match, through Mitchell Carstens, that set the tone for the rest of the match. The Maroon Machine dominated possession, as FNB Pukke hung on desperately on defence.

 FNB Maties led 15-0 at the first strategy break, while the home side took a 18-9 lead at half time. Ernst Stapelberg’s boot proved to be vital again for FNB Maties as he slotted penalties from all over the ground to increase his side’s lead.

 A 72nd minute try by winger Edwill van der Merwe sealed the much-needed win for FNB Maties as they won their second home game on the trot. Flanker Kobus van Dyk got his second man of the match reward in as many games.

 FNB Player That Rocks: Kobus van Dyk (FNB Maties)

 Scorers

FNB Maties: 31
Tries: Mitchell Carstens, Kobus van Dyk, Edwill van der Merwe
Cons: Ernst Stapelberg, Chris Smith
Pens: Ernst Stapelberg (4)

 FNB NWU Pukke

Tries: Jimmy Mpallane (seven-point try)
Cons: Schalk Hugo